2012's Best Digital Illustration Tutorials

http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/features/illustration/best-of-2012-illustrator-tutorials/

Click on the above link for a short but impressive list of how-to's:

Create jewel-encrusted gold 3D type - Bring a sense of fun to typography design by adding a golden sheen and sparkling gems.

Texture effects for vector portraits - Trace a face using vectors

Master Illustrator CS6's new Pattern tool - Build repeating objects within vector scenes

Create vintage type styles

Bring the happy to an illustration with fairly basic shapes and colours

Create promotional artwork that sells you to new clients

(Note: the descriptions are lifted directly off the blog post.)