How to Create Custom Brush Strokes in CorelDRAW

CorelDRAW allows designers to convert any unique vector object into a reusable brush stroke using the Artistic Media tool. This process enhances digital illustrations and vector lettering by turning complex shapes, textures, or patterns into dynamic strokes that follow any drawn path. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step walkthrough for designing your vector shape, saving it as a custom brush preset, and applying it to your artwork.

Step 1: Design Your Vector Shape

Before creating a brush, you must prepare the vector object that will define the stroke:

  1. Open your workspace in CorelDRAW and draw the shape or pattern you want to turn into a brush.
  2. If your design consists of multiple objects, select all of them and group them together (Ctrl + G) or weld them into a single curve using the Weld button on the Property Bar.
  3. Ensure the design contains only pure vector paths. Custom brush strokes cannot contain bitmap images, drop shadows, lens effects, or complex mesh fills. Standard solid colors and basic gradients work best.

Step 2: Open the Artistic Media Docker

To manage and save brushes, access the Artistic Media docker:

  1. Navigate to the top menu and select Window > Dockers > Effects > Artistic Media (in some CorelDRAW versions, simply Window > Dockers > Artistic Media).
  2. The Artistic Media panel will appear on the right side of your workspace.

Step 3: Save the Design as a Custom Brush

  1. Use the Pick Tool to select the vector shape you prepared in Step 1.
  2. In the Artistic Media docker, locate the Save icon (floppy disk icon) at the bottom right.
  3. A prompt will appear asking to save the stroke as either a Brush or an Object Sprayer. Select Brush and click OK.
  4. The file browser will open to CorelDRAW's default brush stroke directory (CustomMediaStrokes).
  5. Enter a descriptive name for your new brush file and click Save.

Step 4: Apply the Custom Brush

Once saved, your custom brush is immediately available for use:

  1. Select the Artistic Media Tool from the left toolbox (shortcut: I).
  2. On the Property Bar at the top, select the Brush icon mode.
  3. Open the Category dropdown menu and choose Custom.
  4. Find and select your newly saved brush stroke from the list.
  5. Click and drag on the canvas to draw freehand curves with your custom stroke, or select any existing curve drawn with the Pen or Bezier tool and click your brush preset to apply it.

Tips for Best Results

  • Stroke Direction: CorelDRAW stretches brush designs from left to right along the path. Design your object horizontally to ensure it maps correctly to your strokes.
  • Stroke Width: Adjust the stroke thickness using the Stroke Width input field on the Property Bar at any time without distorting the underlying vector path.
  • Editing the Original Path: Because the brush stroke behaves as an effect applied to a path, you can use the Shape Tool (F10) to manipulate the path nodes and reshape the brush stroke dynamically.