# brushes and strokes **introduction to adjusting brushes and strokes in Adobe Illustrator. also how to manipulate the appearance of elements** We have seen what can be done with just shapes. Now we are going to see what happens when strokes and brushes are added to our elements. We are also going to see how the Appearance panel can be used to make visually interesting things out of simple shapes. ## STROKES A Stroke is the outline of a shape or element. By default, you get a boring single thickness outline. It is quite easy to add variable thicknesses, adjust endpoints or even add specialty brushes to add more visual interest. - [Adobe Illustrator strokes, tips and secrets from Mishes](https://www.mishes.com/tutorials/adobe-illustrator/stroke-tips-tricks) - nice introduction to using strokes - [Apply Stroke on an Element from Adobe Help](https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/stroke-object.html) - the basics of strokes covered by Adobe - [Adobe Illustrator Training - All About Strokes by GFXMentor](https://youtu.be/6t-J7Ur8uRo) - half-hour youtube video covering all the basics of using strokes in illustrator. It is subtitled in English ## BRUSHES Brushes are special graphics that add variety to your strokes. With the right brushes and settings you can replicate traditional drawing mediums or achieve specific stylized effects. - [Brushes from Adobe Help](https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/brushes.html) - the basics of using Brushes in Illustrator - [Add painterly effects with brushes from Adobe Help](https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/brush-strokes.html) - simple tutorial walking through the process of using brushes - [A Comprehensive Guide: Illustrator's Paintbrush Tool and Brush Panel from Design Tuts](https://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/a-comprehensive-guide-illustrators-paintbrush-tool-and-brush-panel--vector-301) - nice deep dive into using and creating brushes Illustrator's brush engine is quite powerful. You can build your own brushes without too much trouble. I can show you how, if you would like. For now, know that many people have created and shared tons of brush packs on the internet. - [How to Install and Use Illustrator Brushes from Creative Market](https://creativemarket.com/blog/how-to-install-use-illustrator-brushes) - [The Best Free Illustrator Brushes for Retro and Vintage Effects from Retro Supply](https://www.retrosupply.co/blogs/retrosupply-blog/best-free-illustrator-brushes-for-retro-and-vintage-effects) - [Creative Bloq list of Free Brushes](https://www.creativebloq.com/illustrator/best-free-brushes-111517762/2) - [TOP 50 Best Free Brushes for Adobe Illustrators 2019 from Graphic Panda](https://graphicpanda.net/top-50-best-free-brushes-for-adobe-illustrators-2019/) - [Google search for Free Illustrator Brushes](https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ei=K4KDXeShKcP4-gSl6LXwBg&q=free+illustrator+brushes&oq=free+illustrator+brushes&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i67j0i7i30j0j0i7i30j0i67j0i7i30l5.3256.3825..4065...0.2..0.250.880.0j4j1......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71j0i13.BKYV1vZnNMY&ved=0ahUKEwik4_vH_tzkAhVDvJ4KHSV0DW4Q4dUDCAo&uact=5) ## APPEARANCE PANEL By default, any object or element in Illustrator has a single fill and stroke. The Appearance panel allows you to tweak those settings, adjust Opacity, add Styles, or even add multiple Fills and Strokes to an element. - [Appearance Attributes from Adobe Help](https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/appearance-attributes.html) - coves the basics - [Mastering the Appearance panel video from Adobe](https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/atv/cs6-tutorials/mastering-the-appearance-panel.html) - ten minute intro to the Appearance panel with some good tricks - [Illustrator Appearance Panel Tricks & Tips video by Satori Graphics](https://youtu.be/jrqRV0hjZFU) - another ten minute video that shows how to add complexity to a simple element - [The Secrets of the Appearance Panel: Multiple Fills from Design Tuts](https://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/the-secrets-of-the-appearance-panel-multiple-fills--vector-3364) - lots of really good tricks for using Appearance panel to create more complex graphics --- tags: #vector #resources #brushes home: [[! vector drawing resources]]