Create Custom Brushes in Adobe Illustrator CS6

Edited by Freya, VisiHow, Eng

3 Parts:
Steps
Video: Create Custom Brushes in Adobe Illustrator CS6
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You're watching VisiHow. In this tutorial, we're going to show you how to create a custom brush for line art in Adobe Illustrator CS6 in Windows 7.

Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas212 866741.jpg

Steps

  1. 1
    To begin, open Adobe Illustrator from the desktop or by clicking the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of the screen
    .
    Clicking the Windows icon will reveal a list of the most recently used programs. You may find Illustrator on the list. Illustrator is identified by a brown-and-orange icon with the letters "Ai".
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas27 632231.jpg
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  2. 2
    Otherwise, click the search bar at the bottom of the start menu to begin typing "Adobe Illustrator"
    .
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas36 148256.jpg
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  3. 3
    Then, click "Adobe Illustrator CS6" once to load it
    .
    You'll go directly to your workspace.
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas37 386508.jpg
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  4. 4
    Click "File" to open a document
    .
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas50 708342.jpg
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  5. 5
    Click "New..."
    .
    Alternatively, press "Ctrl" + "N" on the keyboard. You can also open an existing document. For detailed instructions on how to create a new document or open it in Adobe Illustrator, please view our other tutorials.
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  6. 6
    Let's click "OK"
    .
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas64 666867.jpg
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  7. 7
    Click the color box
    .
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas92 860705.jpg
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  8. 8
    Click the color black
    .
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas95 656193.jpg
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  9. 9
    Click "OK"
    .
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas97 288091.jpg
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  10. 10
    Make sure that the stroke is not filled by clicking the "None" box under the color boxes
    .
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas99 657891.jpg
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  11. 11
    Then, click "Ellipse Tool" by clicking the "Rectangle Tool" icon first
    .
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  12. 12
    Now, draw a very thin ellipse by clicking and dragging the cursor across the document
    .
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas119 683453.jpg
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  13. 13
    Now, click "Brushes" in the right-hand side menu
    .
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  14. 14
    If you cannot see the "Brushes" icon, click "Window" at the top of the window
    .
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas135 380972.jpg
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  15. 15
    Then make sure "Brushes" is checked
    .
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas138 600683.jpg
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  16. 16
    While your shape is selected, open the additional options in the brushes menu by clicking the top-right corner icon
    .
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas147 520182.jpg
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  17. 17
    Then, click "New Brush..." in the drop-down menu
    .
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas149 207995.jpg
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  18. 18
    For example, click "Art Brush"
    .
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas150 99258.jpg
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  19. 19
    Click "OK"
    .
    A new window will open.
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas152 492576.jpg
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  20. 20
    First, type a name for the brush
    .
    For this tutorial, "Calligraphy" is used.
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  21. 21
    Ensure the rest of the settings are correct and click "OK" when you are satisfied with the settings
    .
    Now, you can see that a new brush stroke has appeared in the "Brushes" menu.
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas161 242453.jpg
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  22. 22
    You can delete the ellipse
    .
    We can begin to use the brush.
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas166 441352.jpg
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  23. 23
    You should make sure that your stroke, not your fill, is filled
    .
    Do that, if necessary, by clicking the "Swap Fill and Stroke" on the left-hand side vertical menu.
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas173 103148.jpg
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  24. 24
    Then, click the "Calligraphy" brush you've just created from the "Brushes" menu
    .
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas177 818516.jpg
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  25. 25
    Click the "Paintbrush Tool" icon in the left-hand side vertical menu
    .
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas182 724625.jpg
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  26. 26
    Finally, you can begin to draw by clicking and dragging the cursor across the document
    .
    You will notice a blue dotted outline, showing you where your line will be.
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas185 572447.jpg
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  27. 27
    When you have finished, release the mouse button, and your line will be filled in
    .
    Create a Custom Brush for Line Art on Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas197 135061.jpg
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This was a VisiHow tutorial. I've just shown you how to create a custom brush for line art in Adobe Illustrator CS6 in Windows 7. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comments section below. Thank you for watching VisiHow!

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Video: Create Custom Brushes in Adobe Illustrator CS6

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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Article Info

Categories : Software

Recent edits by: VisiHow, Freya

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