Adobe Illustrator Brush Test

Ever since I started using Adobe Illustrator, I haven't really tried to use the brush sets because I always think that they look very fake. However, recently, because I want to submit some illustrations to a stock illustration site, and they need vector illustrations more, so I tried to see if I can achieve that hand-drawn feeling with AI.

Here's my first quick experiment with the Artistic_ChalkCharcoalPencil Brushes. I like the look of the 'Pencil thick' brush:

Applied it to the Noel illustration I drew with the Pen tool (P). 

Filled the illustration with color like usual.

With color on the background:

It's fun to use, but I'm not very satisfied with the outcome. I'll try to see if I can make a custom brush that can achieve what I want :)

My Kitten Noel :D

I feel so guilty for not updating this blog for 2 months! Something special happened: we adopted a kitten (well, it's more like she adopted us :p)!!! We found a shivering, tiny little thing meowing and sitting in the corner of our patio on a rainy December afternoon. I actually heard the meowing all morning long but couldn't find her, and finally my hubby found her after he got home!!! :D Because we found her in December and it's close to Christmas, we named her "Noel". We both think she's a gift from God :D Then, we've been busy taking care of this little fur ball ever since :)))) (I wouldn't expect how much work it is to take care of a baby kitten!!!)

Here are some of the pictures of my dearest baby :D