So, I can’t figure out how to add textures in illustrator so instead I will be using Photoshop instead to make the images for the characters and environments.

Here are some screen shots of the environments from an old animation about Sun Wukong, I am taking inspiration from the images and how they illustrate the environments. I believe they used water color to achieve their dream like environment but I will be using digital mediums instead to illustrate my environment.

Found a tutorial on how to achieve a simple but effective look in photoshop

This is probably the closest to how I want my characters and environment to look like