Online Illustrator classes by Laura Coyle:

Please visit my new website illustratoring.com for all the current information about my Online Illustrator classes, tips and illustrator tutorials.

In teaching Adobe Illustrator I strive to demystify what many see as an intimidating “professional” program and make it accessible. I give you background information wherever I can because I know from my own experience in learning software how helpful it is to understand the logic behind a particular approach. 

Most of all, I want you to have fun working with the kind of art you want to create and so I fill my classes with swirls, patterns, and colorful, lively illustration projects with decorative appeal. Whether design is your profession or part-time passion, you’ll find something to love in my classes.

All of my classes are offered on ReneePearson.com. Scroll for class descriptions and links and read the reviews of my classes below.

 

Beginning Illustrator - A comprehensive introduction to Adobe Illustrator. Learn about layers, creating with shapes, drawing tools, type, color palettes, libraries and much more. Compatible with versions CS3 through CS5 (can be used with CS6). This is a 4-module class - over 5 hours of video, broken down into manageable lessons ranging in length from 4 minutes to 14 minutes long. Self-paced, immediate access. $60. (Or $50 when purchased with Beginning Illustrator.) Watch a sample video. Visit ReneePearson.com for complete information and to purchase.

Illustrator 2 - this intermediate Illustrator class that covers Gradients, Patterns, Live Trace, working between AI and PS and more is Self-Paced and available for immediate access! $60.00, or $50 when purchased with Beginning Illustrator. For Illustrator versions CS3, CS4 & CS5.

Special pricing for the "Illustrator Essentials" bundle! Get Beginning Illustrator and Illustrator 2 together for $100. You save $20. Visit the AI Essentials bundle page on ReneePearson.com for more information.

 

Swirl Shop - is an hour and fifteen minute project workshop that walks you through the steps of creating decorative swirls and curves, perfect for wedding invitations and other design projects. Improve your Pen Tool skills, work with the Spiral Tool and more. $20.00. Self-paced, immediate access. Check out a bonus lesson video. Visit ReneePearson.com for complete information and to purchase. Recorded in CS5, compatible with versions CS2 through CS6.

 

Holly Shop - is an hour and a half project workshop that walks you through the steps of creating three holiday card layouts in Adobe Illustrator and we'll send them off to print at two popular on-demand printers, Shuttterfly and Zazzle. It's not just for the Holidays! Learn valuable AI skills working with the appearance panel, photo masking and preparing for print. Create a collection of snowflakes and ornaments you'll use over and over again. $20.00. Self-paced, immediate access. Visit ReneePearson.com for more information and to purchase. Recorded in CS5, compatible with versions CS3 through CS6.

 

Ink & Paint with Illustrator - is an hour and forty five minute project workshop on creating and using Calligraphic Brushes with the Paintbrush and Blob Brush Tools. Learn to get the most out of a pressure sensitive tablet. I'll guide you though inking and painting a floral motif project, complete with my original tracing art and a custom color palette. $20.00. Self-paced, immediate access. For Illustrator versions CS4 & CS5, (and compatible with CS6) tablet required. View a sample video. Visit ReneePearson.com for more information and to purchase.

Automatic Patterns in Illustrator -This self-paced workshop will show you how to create a flexible pattern template so you can reposition, edit and recolor elements within your patterns, then watch them automatically update on your artboard. Your creativity will be freed from the usual methods of dragging art into the swatches panel! Class includes 1 and a half hours of video lessons and 4 templates filled with Laura's original art so you can experience the functionality of the templates right away. $25.00. Self-paced, immediate access. For Illustrator versions CS4 & CS5, (and compatible with CS6). View a sample video. Visit ReneePearson.com for more information and to purchase.

 

Sample videos from my classes and free tutorials are available on my Coyleart YouTube channel.

All classes are delivered online at ReneePearson.com via streaming video lessons with PDF Lesson Guides and related digital files. Classes are available for immediate access. You take the class at your own pace, and you'll enjoy lifetime access to all the videos and course content on Renee's site. iPad and iPhone format included! A message forum and gallery is available for questions and sharing work with Laura and fellow participants. Laura demonstrates her techniques in monthly online chats.

 

Reviews from Laura's Adobe Illustrator classes:

"Your teaching style is so very clear, precise, methodical, logical, organized, and most of all understandable! Some of my most favorite adjectives that I seldom am able to use when describing online classes. 

Thank you for making this such an enjoyable class, as well as one that has shared so much technique and inspiration to keep us busy for years! I am looking forward to new projects and am wishing you and your latest works well!"  

- a student from Texas

 

"Your classes and way of teaching are super effective thus far. (I just finished module 1). I've tried learning Illustrator two other times, using two other well known online courses on separate occasions and every time, I almost gave up because I just wasn't getting it. (I'm Photoshop heavy). 

A year and some time later I was inspired to give it one last chance and I came across your online class. Now I can't wait to continue going through your lessons. Exactly what I needed and in a style that I can really connect with."

- Jonathan, designer

 

"I really enjoy learning from you. You are organized and present everything in a step-by-step way. I had taken another Illustrator class at another site and couldn't follow the rhyme or reason behind everything. I really like the way you teach, probably because we think alike. Thank you again!"

- a student from California

 

"You are very instructive and responsive. Your videos are so organized. I don't know how you create your videos, if you plan or simply flows like your thoughts. If you think in this way, wow... how organized you are! It is simple to follow and understand. I love your tips and tricks like commands, shortcuts and how you explore the techniques.

Your videos, exercises and PDFs are so clear. You are so friendly in the chats. I really enjoy learning from you and I really recommend your classes.

I am looking forward to taking more classes from you."

- a student from Brazil

 

"I really enjoyed Week 2's (of Illustrator 2) videos and assignments. Laura covered soooo much and gave so many good examples. Everything builds on the previous lesson and at the end, I walked away being able to create my own irregular patterns. Which is huge! Thanks so much, Laura!"

- a student from North Carolina

 

"I would just like to say how much I have enjoyed week 1. There were lots of cool techniques in there that have boosted my confidence with working in Illustrator. I think before I had been a little frustrated as I know how to do things in Photoshop and know that I should be able to do the same or similar in Illustrator but I have not known how. So a big thank you Laura!"

- a student from England

 

"I also really enjoyed this class (Beginning Illustrator) even though I am not a beginner. The last 2 chapters about exporting to PSD were completely new to me and worth the whole class for me. I did learn little tips here & there and your teaching style is excellent! I will definitely take another class from you."

- a student from California

 

"Today I hope to finish the Swirl Shop class and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I used to teach myself with loads of computer books, but the way you present things in the video gives me the feeling that I am learning it way more quickly"

- a student from the Netherlands

 

Questions about my classes? Contact me at laura c at reneepearson dot com

Comments

[Jacqueline]

Just read about your new Ink & Paint class and saw the video! It looks like a wonderful class! Will have to wait till I can get the full version of Illustrator, but will sign up for this class as soon as possible. Enjoyed the previous classes from you so much!

[lancero&encaje]

hi you like me very so much.. i love you.
from peru ..

[Cecil]

Hey Laura! JUST stumbled onto one of the Swirl Shop classes on Youtube (AWWWWESOME!) and I was wondering if you have anything that has to do with swirls integrated into typography (script and stuff, like Wedding Invitations, etc). Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Laura]

Hi Cecil, not specifically, but my Beginning Illustrator class covers type on a path, and one example we work on uses a spiral path. I'm sure once you take Swirl Shop though, you'll have no trouble working with the type on a path feature to make that happen! Swirls are the harder part, type on a path is not too difficult.

[Chris]

Laura,
I just stumbled on you on Utube. I have been trying to learn Illustrator from a book. I have a lot of experience in Photoshop. I have Creative suite 6. Is that version so different that your classes wouldn't work for me?
Chris

[coyleart]

Hi Chris, My Beginning Illustrator class is compatible with CS6. Illustrator 2 however is not optimal for CS6 because of the changes to Live Trace (Image Trace in CS6) and the new pattern making functionality. Swirl Shop, Holly Shop and Ink and Paint are all compatible with CS6. Thanks for asking! I'll send an email in case you have any other questions.

[Melissa Mueller]

Hi Laura, I just signed up for both of your Illustrator classes and plan to do the rest that are offered once I am done with these. YOU ARE AN AMAZING TEACHER! I am self taught so this really gives me some of the information I have been longing for as I have definitely done things the hard way thus far. Do you plan on adding classes this year for illustrator? I am definitely interested. Thank you so much for offering such a valuable class. I can't tell you how thrilled I am!

[coyleart]

Hi Melissa, Thanks so much for your kind words! I am so glad to hear my classes are helping you learn Illustrator! As for new classes, I am working on one now that covers the CS6 Pattern Editing Mode in depth - stay tuned! Also, when you get a chance introduce yourself in the AI student forum over at reneepearson.com - we have a nice community of fellow artists over there. I can answer questions you may have and people are always sharing links and tips, etc. Thanks for signing up!!