As I’m putting the slides together for the vector half of this month’s Patreon tutorial, I’m finding it a bit… daunting. Not because I’m uncertain about how to structure it so that it’s accessible to anyone at any skill level. The daunting part is trying to find a balance between explaining things at a basic level vs being so detailed that newcomers feel overwhelmed.  

Basically, when transforming a sketch into a vector, it’s not just a simple ‘image trace” or copying the image directly. The process can be difficult for anyone, regardless of experience. Skill level often depends on the medium you’re most comfortable with. For instance, myself and someone else with the same proficiency in Adobe Illustrator will produce very different results. This is because our working methods, how we analyze details, and our understanding of Illustrator vary greatly. I find this fascinating because it means we can learn from each other.  

I’m also trying not to tailor my tutorials to a specific software. My goal is to make them accessible for those who can’t afford Adobe but still want to learn the transition from traditional to digital art. There are many software options across different price ranges, but the challenge lies in how each one functions. That’s why I struggle to create tutorials that are informative without focusing solely on Adobe.  

This is especially important to me because I enjoy exploring different software and figuring things out. But unlike myself, not everyone would have the patience to try every available tool to complete a project, nor the financial means to afford Adobe as a beginner.