Creating Gradient Meshes with Illustrator

Learn how to create custom gradient meshes with these Illustrator tutorials.

Learn how to create custom gradient meshes with these Illustrator tutorials from lynda.com staff author Justin Seeley. Gradient meshes are the key to precisely controlling gradients and creating realistic highlights and shadows in your artwork. Here Justin shows how to create your first mesh; manipulate the points, color, and texture of meshes; and create meshes for a variety of real-world, hands-on projects, from 3D models to color-rich poster designs. Make sure to take the challenge Justin issues at the end of the course to practice your skills and "fire" up your next Illustrator project.

Introduction

• Welcome
• How to use exercise files
• Understanding challenges
• How to send feedback

1. Core Concepts

• What is a gradient mesh?
• Creating your first mesh
• Adding color to a mesh
• Working with mesh points
• Creating a mesh on complex shapes
• Challenge: Creating your first mesh
• Solution: Creating your first mesh

2. Practicing with the Mesh Tool

• Project: Creating an apple
• Project: Creating a soccer ball
• Project: Creating a flower
• Project: Creating a realistic guitar
• Practicing on your own time

Conclusion

• Where to go from here