Halloween Pumpkin

Dec 06, 2006 Comments Off on Halloween Pumpkin

1. Basic shapes

First, use the Pen tool and draw the basic shapes of the pumpkin.

2. Fill Gradient

Fill the shapes with a linear gradient with no stroke fill. Gradient color1: R=255 G=127 B=0, color2: R=255 G=127 B=0

3. Shading

Select all shapes, go to menu Edit > Copy (Ctrl+C). Then go to menu Edit > Paste in Front (Ctrl+F) to paste in position.

With the shapes remain selected, open Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder). Hold down Alt key, click on Add to shape area. This will merge shapes together.

Select the following gradient setting – color1: R=255 G=255 B=255, color2: R=204 G=122 B=22. Slide the white picker toward the right side. With the merged shape remain selected, drag from the upper center toward bottom.

Change the Blending Mode of the merged shape to Multiply.

4. Stem

Use the Pen tool and draw a shape of stem on top of the pumpkin. Fill it with a radial gradient as shown. Gradient color1: R=111 G=129 B=46, color2: R=82 G=56 B=17.

5. Cutout Face

Make a new layer on top of the pumpkin. Use the Pen tool and draw the basic shapes of the face. Select all the shapes (face only), use the Gradient tool and fill it with a radial gradient as shown. Gradient color1: R=255 G=242 B=0, color2: R=255 G=146 B=0, color3: R=187 G=50 B=0.

6. Depth

Now, we need to add some depth to the pumpkin cutouts. Use the Pen tool, roughly draw a shape intersect with the left eye cutout. Then Copy the left eye and Paste in Front. Select the left eye shape and the intersect shape, go to Pathfinder, hold down Alt key and click on Intersect shape areas.

Repeat this step until you get all the features done (eyes, nose, and mouth).

7. Shadow & Highligh

Fill the shadow area with a darker gradient (color1: R=255 G=146 B=0, color2: R=187 G=50 B=0). Then fill the highlight area with a lighter gradient (color1: R=255 G=255 B=139, color2: R=255 G=164 B=0).

Final

That’s it!

Adobe Bridge CS2 Icon

Dec 06, 2006 Comments Off on Adobe Bridge CS2 Icon

Tags: Inspiration

1. Place Images

First, place in the original Adobe Bridge icon image in Layer 1 for reference. Double click on Layer 1 and change the following Layer Options: check Lock and Dim Images to 50%.

2. Start Tracing

Make a new layer. Hold down Ctrl key and click on the Visibility icon of Layer 2 to view that layer in Outline Mode. Now use the Pen tool and start tracing the basic shapes of the sea shell.

Now you should have something like this:

3. Gradient

Select the top layer and apply a 2 colors radial gradient (color 1 = m5, color 2 = c26, m86, y44). Use the Gradient Tool (G) and drag from the lower center to top corner. This will re-position the gradient.

4. Multiply Blending Mode

Now in the Transparency palette, select Multiply Blending Mode. Notice this will create the see through effect.

5. Back Layer

Select the back sea shell layer, fill it with another radial gradient (color 1 = c21, color 2 = c26, m86, y44). Again, you need to use the Gradient Tool to position the gradient. Then, select Multiply Blending Mode.

6. Top Layer

Select the top layer and fill it with different color gradient (color 1 = m5, color 2 = c33, m95, y62). Again, select Multiply Blending Mode.

7. Eyedropper

Select the rest of the unfilled paths, use the Eyedropper tool and click on the top layer to copy the gradient fill. To get the best result, you might need to use the Gradient Tool to adjust the gradient position of each shape.

8. Icon Base

Make a rectangle box and then apply 25pt round corner (Effect > Stylize > Round Corners).

9. Drop Shadow

Now go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow and apply the following setting:

10. Gradient

Use the Gradient Tool and apply a 3 colors gradient as shown (color 1 = k0, color 2 = k16, color 3 = k13).

11. Add New Stroke

To make an inner glow effect, we need to add a new stroke. in the Appearance palette (top right corner dropdown menu), select Add New Stroke.

Align Stroke Inside

In the Appearance palette, selct the new added stroke, fill it with 4pt white stroke color. Then open the Stroke palette, and click on Align Stroke to Inside.

12. White Background

Notice when you place the sea shell on top of the icon base, the sea shell is see-through because the blending mode has been set to multiply? We can get rid of that by adding a white background to the sea shell. First copy the entire sea shell to clipboard, then merge the current sea shell by Alt-click on Add to shape area (Pathfinder palette).

Then, Ctrl+F to paste the copied sea shell in front.

Final

The image on the left is my version and the image on the right is the original version.

3D Logo

Dec 06, 2006 3 Comments

1. 3D Text

Use the Type tool, type in “3D Logo”. Go to Effect >Warp > Arc and apply the following settings:

2. 3D Extrude & Bevel

Then go to Effect > 3D > Extrude & Bevel and apply the setting as shown in the image below. You can drag around the cube to set the X,Y,Z rotation values. Set the Extrude Depth to 20pt.

3. Expand Appearance

Now go to Object > Expand Appearance to remove all effects and convert to paths. After the text object is expanded, Ungrounp the object by Object > Ungroup or press Ctrl+Shift+G. You probably need to do Ungroup 4-5 times in order to break the object apart.

4. Merge Paths

Select the round corner paths and merge them together by using the Pathfinder tool. Hold down Alt key, click on the Add to shape area to merge the selected paths. Repeat this step to clean up all round corner paths.

5. Apply Gradient

Select the top level paths and apply a yellow-green color gradient.

6. Eyedropper

Select the back(depth) paths, use the Eyedropper tool and click on the front paths. This will copy the gradient fill.

7. Darken

Keep the back paths selected, go to Gradient palette and adjust the gradient colors to a darker tone.

8. 3D Logo

You can use this technique to make 3D objects from any shape, text, etc.

Here are the steps:

1. Apply 3D Extrude & Bevel effect
2. Expand object
3. Ungroup object
4. Apply gradient
5. Eyedropper gradient fill

More…

Here are more samples I made using the same technique.

Envelope Distort

Dec 06, 2006 5 Comments

1. Import a Picture

Find a beautiful photo that you would like to use for your artwork. Place it in Illustrator by File > Place. Then lock the layer.

2. Base Paths

Make a new layer, ‘base paths’. Use the Pen tool, cover the clothes with white paths.

3. Envelope Text Distortion

Copy all white paths from ‘base paths’ layer and paste it in a new layer. If you want, you can just duplicate the ‘base paths’ layer. Now use the Type tool to type in your text message and send it to back (note: your text must be sit below the shape). Then select the text object and the shirt path, go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make with Top Object or press Ctrl+Alt+C. This will distort the text with the selected shape.

Repeat this step to make the envelope text distortion for the skirt.

Skirt

For the skirt text objects, rotate it to 90 degree.

Don’t forget to use the short cut keys. It will save you a lot of time. Just select the shape and text, and press Ctrl+Alt+C.

Final

Now you can add some design elements in the background to spice up the artwork.

iTune Icon

Dec 06, 2006 5 Comments

1. Basic Shapes

Start making the basic shapes of the iTune icon. If you need help on how to trace from an image, visit my Tracing Photo tutorial.

2. Music Note

Make a glossy orb by using my Glossy Button technique. First, make 3 shapes from light color to dark color. Go to Object > Blend > Blend Options, select Specified Steps = 128. Then select all 3 shapes and press Ctrl + Alt + B or go to Object > Blend > Make.

Reflection

Make an oval shape and fill with black-white gradient. Make sure the black color is full black (C,M,Y,K=100). Drag it on top of the orb and select Screen Blending Mode.

Highlights

Make a tall vertical rectangle and an elongate circle; then Blend it. Duplicate it by Alt-drag to the right.

Make a 3 color gradient path.

Make another highlight using the same Blending technique as in the previous step and select Screen Blending Mode.

3. CD

Use the Gradient tool and fill the CD shapes with white-grey gradient.

Rainbow Gradient

Make some multi-color line strokes as shown below. Make sure the first and last stroke is white because it will be transparent. Use the Blend Tool (W), click on the edge of each stroke starting from left to right.

Mask

Use the CD shape and mask the rainbow gradient by Ctrl+7 or Object > Clipping Mask > Make. Then select Multiply Blending Mode and adjust the Opacity to 26%.

Repeat the previous step to make another rainbow gradient.

4. Music Note Refection

Make 3 oval paths, make sure the outer path is white color(this will make a glow effect). Select all 3 paths, go to Object > Blend > Make (Ctl+Alt+B).

Drag it below the music note and select Multiply Blending Mode , 37% Opacity. Duplicate the refection object by Alt-drag to the right side.

5. Drop Shadow

The last step is to apply a Drop Shadow effect to the CD. Select the outer CD path, go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow and apply the following setting:

Final

Here is the final iTune icon!

Abstract Background

Dec 06, 2006 1 Comment

1. Gradient Background

Create a rectangular path and fill it with blue gradient.

2. Screen Gradient Paths

Create another path with Blue-Black gradient and select Screen Blending Mode. This will create a lighter blue gradient shade. If your color setting is CMYK, make sure the black is full black (C,M,Y,K=100). The red arrow on the image is the direction of the gradient fill.

Repeat the previous step to create another Screen gradient path.

3. Abstract Wave

Make 2 white stroke paths.

4. Blend Tool

Go to Object > Blend > Blend Options, enter Specified Steps = 20. Then with the 2 strokes selected, go to Object > Blend > Make or press Ctrl+Alt+B. This will blend 2 white strokes and create an abstract wave effect. If you want to change the Blend step, you can go to Object > Blend > Blend Options or double click the Blend Tool(B) on the tool bar.

5. Change Stroke Color

Use Direct Selection Tool (A), select one of strokes and change it to blue stroke color. Notice how 2 strokes blend from blue to white.

6. Wild Blend

Now go crazy with your Pen tool, create 2 wavy strokes and blend them. Play around with the Blend step, stroke weight and color.

Repeat the steps to create the last abstract blend, from blue to purple.

Final

Your image should look like something below:

Abstract Desktop Wallpaper

You can also use this abstract image for your desktop wallpaper.

Tracing Photo

Dec 06, 2006 6 Comments

1. Place a photo

First place a photo in Layer 1 by File > Place or Copy & Paste from clip board. Double click on Layer 1 to change the Layer Options. Set Dim Images to: 30% and lock layer.

2. Start tracing

Make a new layer (Layer 2). Hold down Ctrl key and click on the eye icon of Layer 2 to view Layer 2 in Outline mode.

Use the Pen Tool and start tracing the basic features of the girl. While you are tracing, there are couple shortcut keys you should know in order to work more faster.

These shortcuts are:

• Ctrl+[ = Send Backward (This will send object back 1 step)
• Ctrl+] = Bring Forward (This will bring object front 1 step)
• Ctrl+Shift+[ = Send to Back (This will send object all the way to the back)
• Ctrl+Shift+] = Bring to Front (This will bring object all the way to the front)
• Ctrl+F = Paste in Front (This will paste object in front with same position)

3. Make shadow

Draw a new path as shown (top). Then Copy the base path of the face and Paste in Front. Select the copied base path and the new path, open your Pathfinder, Alt-click on Intersect shape areas.

Use the same technique from previous step and make all shadow paths for the overall illustration. You don’t have to get into the details yet, one simple shadow path of each part is good enough (ie. eye, lips, shirt, body, etc). Remember to use Ctrl+C for copy; and Ctrl+F to paste object in front. Trust me, this will save you a lot of time!

4. Fill in base color

Now fill in the base color for the face, eye, lips, and eyebrow.

5. Shadow gradient

Fill the shadow path of the face with a Gradient (white-skin tone) and select Multiply for Blending Mode.

Select the other shadow paths and use the Eyedropper Tool to copy the gradient fill of the main shadow path.

For the lip and eye shadow, use the Eyedropper to copy the base fill and select Multiply Blending Mode.

6. Body

Use the same technique, copy the gradient fill for the body. Note you might to adjust the gradient of each shadow path to blend in with the overall illustration.

7. Hair

Pretty much the same, fill 1 path with the gradient, then use the Eyedropper Tool to copy the fill.

8. Shirt

Same technique as the previous steps.

9. Skirt

Fill the skirt with a blue gradient, then use the Eyedropper Tool to copy the fill for the shadow.

10. Hair details

Now you can add more details to the hair. Make shadow effect by adding Multiply paths. Add some highlights by using lighter gradient color. If you want, you can add more details to the clothes, lips, or add a cool tattoo on her body.

Final

After you get used to this tracing technique, you can basically trace anything!

More Samples

Here are some samples that I traced from photo using the same technique.

Stylish Vector Flower

Dec 06, 2006 7 Comments

1. Flower Petal

Create two stroke paths: one yellow and one blue.

2. Blend Options

Go to Object > Blend > Blend Options and set it to Specified Steps = 10. Specified Steps basically tells how many step to blend from 1 object to another.

Blend

Now select the 2 petal paths, go to Object > Blend > Make or press Ctrl + Alt + B and you should get something looks like the image shown below.

3. Duplicate More Petals

Duplicate more petals to form the flower by Copy & Paste or Alt + Drag.

4. Stem

Create a stem by using the same Blend technique as in the previous step. Here I set the Specified Steps = 8.

5. Leaf

The leaf is formed by 2 parts, top and bottom. I use Specified Steps = 5 here.

6. Put Them Together

Now put them together to create a beautiful flower.

7. Right Long Leaf

Create a long leaf with Blend step = 3.

8. Left Long Leaf

Repeat the previous step to create the left long leaf.

Final

Your final image should looks like the image shown below:

More…

Play around with the stroke color, stroke weight, Blend step, Transparency and you might get unexpected nice result. Here is a sample I did in Photoshop, with different Blend Mode, Multiply and Darken. This image style is good for creating website header, banner, wallpaper, background, large print, etc.