I have been using Adobe Illustrator since early 2004 and I absolutely adore it. I usually create outlines in Illustrator and then export the image into Photoshop to color, but I have done FULL Illustrator images where I color and shade using only Illustrator. n___n Adobe Illustrator is an expensive program to buy, but you can download a free 1-month trial here.

I am writing this guide since a lot more people want to get into drawing CGs/vectors in Illustrator. However, I can only teach you about CGs [computer graphics] because I have not gotten into detailed vectors.

1 This is the new document window, make sure your color setting is in RBG mode or else the colors will look weird when using CMYK. If you want to use CMYK, you're going to have to use a Pantone color palette.

2 Here's a screenshot of the toolbar. The tools marked are the ones I always use! ALSO, there are "hidden" tools within the tool buttons. Wherever you see that mini arrow, if you hold down the tool long enough, more options will appear n____n.

I will describe each number here:

1 Selection Tool - You use this to click on certain "shapes" you draw and move them around.

2 Pen Tool - This helps you draw nice smooth curves.

3 Text Tool - Add text to your image :) In order to choose the text and size, press CTRL + T and the Character box should appear.

4 Line Tool - Draws straight lines. Hold down on this tool to reveal some more cool line features! The swirly one is cool :D

5 Custom Shapes Tool - Make various shapes: square, circle, rectangle, etc.

6 Paintbrush Tool - I use this tool a lot because it will curve lines automatically for you. Sometimes the curve doesn't look how you want it, but you can always redraw! This is a freehand tool.

7 Pencil Tool - This is a freehand tool, it's just like the paintbrush except it doesn't help you curve lines.

8 Rotate Tool Make sure you have the object you want rotated selected, and then click this tool to rotate!

9 Okay nine is supposed to be labelled on the eyedropper tool :P You can pick up colors easily with this tool.

10 - Okay, the top left box is the FILL color and the bottom right box is the OUTLINE color. When that double arrow is clicked the fill and outline colors will reverse!

I hope this mini-beginners tutorial has worked for you! I will be writing some more tutorials soon!