In this class, we will use a combination of texture brushes and overlays, as well as clipping masks and the adjustment panel, to make these whimsical marquee illustrations.

You can use these illustrations as fun home decor, on seamless patterns or as a celebration of milestones on greeting cards and wrapping paper. As a bonus, I’ll also show you a few ideas for animating the lights so that you can create fun e-cards or gifs for your social media accounts.

In the first part of the class, we will start with a simple shape and light set up, where you will learn:

• • The basics of creating the background elements for your sign, including applying textures and shading, to add depth and dimension to your illustration.

• • How to use the Text Tool and masks to add text that blends in with the texture of your sign, to give it that “old vintage,” feel.

• • How to create a simple set of lights using a combination of the Marquee Bulb light brushes I created especially for the class, adjustments and the Selection and Transform tools.

• How to use Adjustments to add an atmospheric glow to your bulbs, giving the viewer the impression that the sign is, “on.”