Von Glitschka - Vector Basic Training

A Systematic Creative Process for
Building Precision Vector Artwork

Second Edition

Developed & Written by Illustrative Designer

Von Glitschka

VECTOR BASIC TRAINING, SECOND EDITION:

A Systematic Creative Process for Building Precision Vector Artwork

Von Glitschka

New Riders

Find us on the Web at www.newriders.com
New Riders is an imprint of Peachpit, a division of Pearson Education.

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Copyright 2016 by Glitschka Studios

Project Editor: Nikki Echler McDonald
Development Editor: Margaret S. Anderson, Stellarvisions
Production Editor: Tracey Croom
Technical Editor: Monika Gause
Copy Editor: Gretchen Dykstra
Proofreader: Kim Wimpsett
Indexer: Rebecca Plunkett
Cover Illustration: Von Glitschka, Glitschka Studios
Cover Design: Von Glitschka
Composition and Interior Design: Kim Scott, Bumpy Design
Media Producer: Eric Geoffroy

Notice of Rights

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. For information on getting permission for reprints and excerpts, contact .

Notice of Liability

The information in this book is distributed on an As Is basis without warranty. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of the book, neither the author nor Peachpit shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained in this book or by the computer software and hardware products described in it.

Trademarks

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book, and Peachpit was aware of a trademark claim, the designations appear as requested by the owner of the trademark. All other product names and services identified throughout this book are used in editorial fashion only and for the benefit of such companies with no intention of infringement of the trademark. No such use, or the use of any trade name, is intended to convey endorsement or other affiliation with this book.

ISBN 13: 978-0-134-17673-4
ISBN 10: 0-134-17673-1

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Printed and bound in the United States of America

The problem with vector images today is that I hate most of them! Mainly because something dies between the drawing and the precision vector graphic version. Perhaps its the illustrations soul lost in the transition? Most vector images today contain too many cyber-slick gradations; they are too mathematically perfect, like many of the billions of images populating millions of microstock sites that lack anything real and human. If Vons book can help improve a designers ability to create better vector images, Im all for it. And remember: Just because you can make everything a gradation doesnt mean you should make everything a gradation.

CHARLES ANDERSON, CSA Design

With Vector Basic Training, Von Glitschka shames me. And I thank him for it. He reminds me that I am walking a tightrope of forsaking my first love: drawing. Von approaches the process with an honor and reverence that emerges from a tradition rooted in art as much as design. His depth of thought, trained hand, and ability to art direct himself have produced a stunning body of work, and he brings it all home in VBT to share with the reader. Thats the thing with Vonnot only is he a powerful talent, hes gracious enough to share it all. Ill be keeping my copy of VBT next to my Mac and, yes, my sketchpad.

TERRY MARKS, TMARKS Design

Vons experience as an award-winning illustrative designer enables him to provide a valuable methodology for creating vector artwork guaranteed to produce results for every designer.

EARL GEE, Creative Director, Gee + Chung Design

As president of the School of Advertising Art (SAA), I would like to thank Von for writing this book. Young designers need to understand the power of the drawing process, and they need to know that time spent sketching before jumping to the computer is time well spent on any project. Von clearly demonstrates this philosophy throughout the book by incorporating interesting visual examples of his work. I am excited to share Vector Basic Training with SAA students.

JESSICA GRAVES, President, School of Advertising Art, Kettering, Ohio

Download the 7+ hours of HD video and watch Von at work as he steps you through the techniques explained in the book. Download the resource files to see all the sketches, anchor points, shapes, layers, color palettes, gradients, and detailing that Von used to create the final illustrative designs.

To access the Vector Basic Training, Second Edition files:

Go to www.peachpit.com/redeem and enter the following digital features access code:

Code removed for privacy

If you do not have a Peachpit.com account, you will be prompted to create one.

The downloadable files will be listed under the Lesson & Update Files tab on your Account page.

Click the lesson file links to download the videos and resource files to your computer.

To my two wonderful daughters, Savannah and Alyssa. You both inspire me in such unique and funny ways at times. I love when you two make me laugh, and seeing you both exercise your creativity is a joy to my heart. I love you both so very much, and watching you grow into caring and beautiful young women proves youre the best thing Ive ever been part of creating.

Pa

Purchasing this book gives you access to video screencasts presenting key techniques. These videos are completely new for this edition and have detailed explanations and step-by-step demonstrations.

Throughout the book youll see a video icon if there is a related screencast.

For certain projects there are also downloadable illustration files. By examining these files, you will be able to see all the sketches, anchor points, shapes, layers, color palettes, gradients, and detailing that Ive used to create the final illustrative designs.

If you see either of these file icons, there is a design file you can download that corresponds to the illustration you see printed in the book. Most will be in Adobe Illustrator (.ai) format, but a few are Adobe Photoshop (.psd) files.