Colors are the soul of any design. Whether you are creating banners, logos, or social media graphics, understanding how to use color tools and strokes in Adobe Illustrator can make your work look vibrant. These tools can help you create visually appealing images that catch the user’s eye.
In this blog, we will explore some powerful Illustrator tools that help you combine shapes creatively, add gradients for depth, pick and reuse colors, explore color libraries, and use brushes for artistic flair.
Let’s dive in.
What is Shape Builder Tool and How to Use It?
The Shape Builder Tool in Adobe Illustrator is one of the most practical and powerful tools for beginners. It allows you to combine, subtract, and merge basic shapes into complex, creative designs without relying on the Pen Tool or complex path commands.
This tool is especially useful for creating custom icons, logos, or detailed illustrations with precision. Here is a step-by-step guide to use it properly:
Step 1: Draw Basic Shapes
Start by drawing two or more overlapping shapes using tools like the Rectangle, Ellipse, or Polygon Tool. For example, draw two overlapping circles to simulate a Venn diagram layout.
Step 2: Select All Shapes
Use the Selection Tool (V) and drag to select all the shapes you wish to work with.
Step 3: Activate Shape Builder Tool
Press Shift + M or go to Tools > Shape Builder Tool. The cursor will change to indicate that the tool is active.
Step 4: Combine Areas
Click and drag across the sections of the shapes you want to merge. Illustrator highlights each section as you hover, helping you visualize the final outcome.
Step 5: Subtract Areas
Hold down the Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) key and click on any section you want to remove. This is useful when cleaning up intersections or refining a shape. For example, remove the overlapping portion between two circles to create a crescent shape.
Even without a design background, this tool makes it easy to visualize and construct creative artwork efficiently.
Also Read: Photoshop Basics for Beginners: Essential Editing Tips You Need to Know
How to Use the Gradient Tool?
Gradients are a powerful way to bring your designs to life. Instead of using a single flat color, you can use gradients to create depth, light, and visual flow. Adobe Illustrator makes it easy to apply and control gradients using the Gradient Tool (G). Whether you are designing banners or posters, gradients can help your designs stand out with a professional touch.
Here is how can properly use the Gradient Tool:
Step 1: Create or Select a Shape
Start by drawing a shape using any shape tool or select an existing object in your artboard.
Step 2: Open the Gradient Panel
Go to Window > Gradient to open the Gradient Panel. This is where you will control the type, colors, and angle of your gradient.
Step 3: Apply the Gradient
With your shape selected, click the Gradient Tool from the toolbar or press G on your keyboard. A default black-and-white gradient will apply. You can now see a gradient bar appear on the object, showing the flow of color from start to end.
Step 4: Edit Gradient Colors
Click on the gradient bar in the Gradient Panel to add or change colors:
- Double-click on the gradient sliders to select new colors
- Drag sliders to adjust color position
- Add more sliders to create multi-color gradients
You can also drag the gradient line on your object to change direction and angle visually.
Step 5: Choose Gradient Type
There are three main types of gradients in Illustrator:
- Linear Gradient: Colors blend in a straight line
- Radial Gradient: Colors spread from the center outward
- Freeform Gradient: Allows custom, point-based blending
Try switching between types to see which suits your design best.
Also Read: Basics of Photoshop: Selection Tools and Layers
What is the Eyedropper Tool and How to Use It?
The Eyedropper tool is one of Illustrator’s simplest yet most efficient tools. It helps you pick up colors, gradients, and even character styles from one object and apply them to another. Whether you are trying to match a brand’s color scheme or keep your designs consistent, this tool saves a lot of time. Let’s learn how to use it:
Step 1: Select the Target Object
First, select the shape or text where you want to apply a new color or style.
Step 2: Activate the Eyedropper Tool
Press (I) on your keyboard or click on the Eyedropper Tool from the toolbar. Your cursor changes into an eyedropper icon.
Step 3: Click on the Source Object
Click on the object that has the color or style you want to copy. Illustrator will instantly apply that fill color, stroke color, or text formatting to your selected object. This works great for solid colors, gradients, stroke properties, text font, size, and formatting.
Step 4: Use Shift + Eyedropper for Advanced Picking
If you are working with grouped objects or symbols, hold Shift while clicking to pick up attributes from complex elements.
Also Read: Best Graphic Designing Courses in Jaipur
Swatches and Color Libraries: How to Use Them?
In Adobe Illustrator, the Swatches Panel is where you store and access your most-used colors. Instead of manually entering hex codes or RGB values every time, you can save colors, gradients, and patterns for quick reuse.
You can also explore preloaded Color Libraries to find professional and industry-standard color sets. Whether you are working on a brand identity or a festival banner, swatches help you stay consistent with color use throughout your project.
Step 1: Open the Swatches Panel
Go to Window > Swatches to open the panel. You will see a set of default colors, including fills, strokes, and gradients.
Step 2: Add a Custom Color to Swatches
- Select a shape or text with the color you want to save
- Click the New Swatch icon
- Name your color and click OK
This is especially useful when you are working with brand colors or campaign-specific color palettes.
Step 3: Explore Color Libraries
Click the small library icon at the bottom-left of the Swatches Panel of go to Swatches > Open Swatch Library. Here, you will find:
- Color Books
- Gradients and Patterns
- Theme-based Libraries
Pick one and the panel will open with a full range of ready-made swatches to choose from.
Step 4: Save and Load Custom Swatches
You can create and export your own swatch libraries to share with teammates or reuse in other projects:
- Click the panel menu and choose Save Swatches
- Load them later using Open Swatch Library > Other Library
Also Read: Illustrator 101: Understanding the Workspace & Interface Overview
How to Use the Brush Panel?
The Brushes Panel in Adobe Illustrator allows you to apply creative, stylized strokes to your lines and paths. Instead of plain solid lines, you can use calligraphic brushes, artistic textures, pattern borders, or even custom brushes that look like pencils, paint, or ink.
This is especially helpful when you are designing banners, illustrations, or decorative elements where uniqueness and creativity matter.
Step 1: Open the Brushes Panel
Go to Window > Brushes to view the default brushes in your Illustrator setup. You will see simple brushes like basic calligraphy and some artistic lines.
Step 2: Apply a Brush to a Path
- Draw a path using the Pen Tool or Brush Tool
- With the path selected, click on any brush style from the panel.
The brush stroke will be applied immediately and you can adjust its thickness from the Stroke Panel.
Step 3: Explore Brush Libraries
Click the Brush Libraries Menu to explore a wide range of brush types:
- Artistic Brushes (Chalk, Charcoal, Pencil)
- Border Brushes (Floral, Decorative)
- Pattern Brushes (Chains, Arrows, Stitches)
- Vector Brushes for detailed illustrations
You can open multiple libraries and mix and match them to suit your banner or illustration style.
Step 4: Create Your Own Brush
Select any vector shape or path, then go to Brushes Panel > New Brush and choose the type you want to create (Art, Pattern, Scatter, etc). This is a fun way to turn your hand-drawn doodles and creative patterns into reusable stroke styles.
Also Read: Free Online Photoshop Course – Learn Photoshop (Beginner to Advanced)
Final Words
Mastering these Illustrator tools is the first step toward becoming a confident and creative designer. Whether you are making banners, posters, or digital art, tools like the Gradient Tool, Eyedropper, Swatches, and Brushes give you the freedom to bring your ideas to life with color and style.
If you want to master Adobe Illustrator easily and create unique artwork, you can enroll in Skillwaala’s Free Illustrator course which offers practical learning and helps you understand the nuances of these tools.
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