In this week’s Design It Yourself tutorial, we’re layering hand-drawn textures over clean vector line work to create digital art that feels analog. It’s tactile, imperfect, full of movement, and totally editable. Using vector brushes in Adobe Illustrator, we’ll color inside the lines (literally), but in a way that still feels raw and expressive.
In the video, you’ll see rich pencil textures layered into flat shapes, building depth and dimension without losing that hand-rendered feel. There’s a softness to it, like a sketchbook scanned straight into your workspace. Except it’s all vector, so you can tweak and scale it endlessly!
Here’s how to build it from scratch:
Step 1: Set up your canvas
Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document sized however you’d like. This works just as well for print formats as it does for digital. If you’re working from existing line art, import it now. If you’re starting fresh, sketch something simple with the Pen Tool or Pencil Tool.
Step 2: Select your line art
Once your outlines are in place, select the entire shape or section you want to fill. In the video, you’ll notice each object, whether it’s a flower petal, leaf, or abstract shape, has a clean silhouette, ready to hold textured detail.
Step 3: Activate ‘Draw Inside’
With your shape selected, click ‘Draw Inside’ (look at the bottom of the toolbar or use Shift + D until the mode switches). This allows you to paint inside the boundaries of the shape, no masks or clipping paths needed.
You’ll see the selection shift into a dotted bounding box. That’s your space to build texture without breaking outside the edges.
Step 4: Choose your brush
Time to bring in the texture. I’m using Pencilcraft Brushes by Guerillacraft. The set has dozens of pressure-sensitive strokes, from dry graphite to scribbly sketch lines.
Pick a brush that matches the mood you’re going for:
- For softer shading, try a worn pencil or grainy fill.
- For more edge and energy, go for something rougher, with more contrast.
Step 5: Start coloring in
Now paint directly inside your shape, building in layers of texture: first light strokes, then darker accents, creating a sense of depth and light. You can switch brushes mid-way or stack them for more complexity.
Step 6: Hide or remove strokes
Once your textures are in place, decide whether to keep your original linework. In some cases, removing the outlines gives the piece a more fluid, painterly feel. In others, the contrast between hard lines and soft fill can create a beautiful balance.
Optional: Present your work
To take it further, place your finished illustration into a mockup. A textured background, a framed print, or even a social post layout can help your work feel complete.
This technique is perfect for illustrators who want the charm of traditional media with the flexibility of digital tools. Whether you’re working on a poster, packaging concept, or just experimenting for fun, these brushes and steps can help your work feel more tactile and real.
Download these worksheets and start practicing with simple instructions and tracing exercises.
Download now!
Designer at Creative Market. I truly enjoy branding, typography, packaging, layout designs, and drawing funny-looking animals.
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