Starting a community collection thread for free adobe illustrator brushes because my bookmarks folder is a mess and i know yall have good ones
ill go first with my top picks:
vector brush packs:
- Artifex Forge vintage halftone brushes. these are insane for retro poster work. free sampler on their site
- Von Glitschka’s freebie stipple brushes. the man is a legend and his free stuff is better than most paid packs
- RetroSupply has illustrator versions of some of their procreate sets. the ink brushes are gorgeous
pattern brushes:
- there was a set of hand-drawn border brushes on dribbble like 2 years ago that i use constantly. ill try to find the link
- for rope and chain patterns theres a free adobe illustrator brush pack on brusheezy thats surprisingly good
calligraphy/lettering:
- honestly for vector calligraphy i mostly make my own from scanned ink strokes. but theres a set by Ian Barnard that comes close
the thing about illustrator brushes vs procreate is the scatter and art brush system in AI is SO powerful once you understand it but the free brush ecosystem is way smaller
drop your favorites below. especially looking for good free texture and distress brushes