Hey there! You clicked on the link to this class because you are interested in designing cards. It would be insane for any artist not to try to sell greeting cards featuring their artwork. Why? It is so simple! You can start creating an income stream immediately! This is my second class on this topic! My first class, The Secrets of Self-Publishing greeting cards, was focused on the self-publishing aspect. This class will be about creating designs for the largest market in greeting cards: everyday cards. We will be focusing on the production of everyday cards for children, as more than half of all daily cards are birthday cards.
This class will show you how to create a greeting card that sells for a child's special day. It will feature a simple and cute animal motif. You will learn basic Illustrator brush techniques as well as Photoshop compositing, finishing and composing. The final step is to create a Photoshop smart object mockup that you can use to present your card on an online marketplace or website, or to send to greeting card companies. There are even some tricks to speed up the process! You are welcome to use the mock-up that I created in the project files.
My course will teach you how to create simple backgrounds using Illustrator brushes, layer effects and Photoshop layers, as well as how to use Photoshop brushes to create simple backgrounds and compositing.
This class will teach you how to:
How to create cute motifs
How to import and trace drawings in Illustrator
How to make a simple brush for inking in Illustrator
How to adjust this brush
How to convert Illustrator line art into shapes that can be filled with color
How to import your critter in Photoshop
How to use layers and layer effects in Photoshop
How to create a simple background with Photoshop brushes
How to manipulate typography in Photoshop
How to finish your card and prepare for final art
How to create and use the mockup
You can feel proud that you have taken the first step towards monetizing your art.
You will receive the bonus of...
Over 50 minutes of instruction from an instructor with tons experience
A Photoshop template that you can use to prepare your art for upload
A Photoshop mockup with smart object ready for you!
Thousands of insider tips and tricks!
I encourage you to try these methods and then share your completed card as a project to the class. My goal is to create a space where we can all learn from each other and share our knowledge through critiques and discussions. Through these discussions, I am happy to offer my advice and share my knowledge. This is the best way to get started with greeting card design if you are new to the craft. What are you waiting for?! Get started now!
Lesson 1
This lesson will teach you how to draw your character and scan it in Photoshop.
Lesson 2
This lesson will teach you how to set up the document and create illustrator brushes for inking.
Lesson 3
This lesson will teach you how to complete the brushwork and inking of your character using Illustrator tips and tricks.
Lesson 4
This lesson will teach you how to expand appearance, compound paths, and other tricky and hidden Illustrator challenges. It also teaches you how to prepare for colorizing.
Lesson 5
This lesson will teach you how to colonize your character in Adobe Illustrator.
Lesson 6
This lesson will teach you how to set up a final Photoshop card. It also includes information about Photoshop layers effects, color schemes, typography, and Photoshop brushes.
Lesson 7
This lesson will finish our layout by adding all the finishing touches such as drop shadows, final layer effects, imported graphics, typographic symbols, and more.
Lesson 8
This last segment will show you how to create a mockup of your finished card by using the mockup included in the project files.
The following topics were covered: scanning, photoshop and illustrator, illustrator brushes and expanding appearance in illustrator.
