2.02 Create a Simple Illustration- Working with Drawing Tools
Objective: The student will successfully demonstrate the ability to use vector drawing
tools, to include the pen and pencil to create a simple illustration in a vector software
program.
Key Concepts Utilized: The students will demonstrate the ability to create open and
closed paths using the pen and pencil tools, apply stoke and fill, change stacking order,
and use the selection and direction tools to select and modify objects. The students will
also utilize the Principles of Design when creating this project.
Most of us do not think we are artistic, but it is not complicated to create a simple
illustration and you do not need to be Leonardo DaVinci to create a good sketch. Use
one of your own designs or visit http://www.how-to-draw-cartoons-online.com/ to find
some easy to follow step-by-step instructions on how to sketch a wide variety of
characters.
For a video example of turning a sketch into a basic illustration and using the pen tool,
visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5vjpmv-Sps.
Procedures:
1. On a piece of plain white copy paper, create a light pencil sketch of
your character. Try to make sure you have the details down, but do
not worry about it being to clean, as it will only serve as a guide for
you to recreate with your software’s drawing tools.
2. Scan the image and save it to a location that you can access.
3. Create a new document with the dimensions of 8.5” tall by 11” tall or
wide depending on your sketch.
4. Use the File – Place command to put your sketch into your document. Resize
the sketch so that if fits in the document window appropriately. Click on the lock
layer icon in the Layers panel to prevent accidentally moving the sketch. Turn
the visibility icon off and on as need to hide and show the sketch.
5. Create a new layer to create your illustration on.
6. Use the pen tool, pencil tool, and other tools to recreate your sketch. Tip: Set
the pen tool fill to none and the stroke to a color that contrasts the sketch. As
you begin, remember to look at each piece of the illustration in terms of how they
need to have fill and stroke applied, so think about open and closed paths and
how stacking order will impact what is visible and what will be covered. Be smart
where you can by copying and pasting objects that are the same, such as eyes.
Do not be too much of a perfectionist, just try to get close and practice using the
available tools.
7. Once you have completed your illustration Save the project as
[LastName]Sketch. Use the Export command to publish the project as a .pdf with
the filename [LastName]Sketch.pdf. Make sure you keep access to the project
file in case you need to make modifications to the project in the future.
2.02 Create a Simple Illustration: Image Trace
Objective: The student will successfully demonstrate the ability to use image trace to
create a simple illustration in a vector software program.
Key Concepts Utilized: The students will demonstrate the ability apply an image trace
command, modify stroke and fills, and use the selection and direction tools. The
students will also utilize the Principles of Design when creating this project.
Most of us do not think we are artistic, but it is not complicated to create a simple
illustration and you do not need to be Leonardo DaVinci to create a good sketch. Use
one of your own designs or visit http://www.how-to-draw-cartoons-online.com/ to find
some easy to follow step-by-step instructions on how to sketch a wide variety of
characters.
Procedures:
1. On a piece of plain white copy paper, create a light pencil sketch
of your character. Try to make sure you have the details down,
but don’t worry about it being to clean as it will only serve as a
guide for you to recreate with your software’s drawing tools.
2. Once you have the basis for your sketch completed, use an
eraser to clean up any stray marks. Take a thin to medium black
marker and using smooth lines, trace over the sketch and ensure
there are no gaps or openings in the lines. Image trace works
best when all of the paths are clearly closed.
3. Scan the image and save it to a location that you can access. If needed, open
the scan in a raster graphics program and clean any problematic areas.
4. Create a new document with the dimensions of 8.5” tall by 11” tall or wide
depending on your sketch.
5. Use the File – Place command to put your sketch into your document. Resize
the sketch so that if fits in the document window appropriately.
6. With the sketch selected, use the programs image trace (Live Trace) feature,
which automatically converts the raster image into a traced vector. Try several
settings to determine which gives the best results. Once satisfied with the
results, click expand to complete the trace.
7. Assuming all of the gaps were closed, you should now be able to use the direct
selection tool to select individual parts of the illustration to add fills and modify
strokes as need. Use the direct selection tools as well to modify any anchor
points or line segments that need to be tweeked.
8. One you have completed your illustration Save the project as [LastName]Trace.ai
(or other available format). Use the Export command to publish the project as a
.pdf with the filename [LastName]Trace.pdf. Make sure you keep access to the
.ai file in case you need to make modifications to the project in the future.
2.02 Working with the Pathfinder
The pathfinder allows you to take primitive shapes and turn them in to an endless
variety of complex shapes. Your challenge is to recreate all of the shapes below. Tip:
Convert the text to outline in order for it to be used with the pathfinder. Good Luck!
2.02 Working with Vector Effects
Objective: The student will successfully demonstrate the ability to use work with effects, to
include the convert shape, distort and transform, and warp in a vector software program.
Key Concepts Utilized: The students will demonstrate the ability to work with the following
commands: rounded rectangle, pucker and bloat, arc, arch upper, arch, bloat, shell upper,
fish, and drop shadow.
Procedures: Open vectoraffects.eps and apply the effects below as directed. Tip: Make
sure the Preview box is checked to see the results as you make changes. When
completed, save the activity as [LastName]Effects.eps.
Rectangle 1: Go to Effects – Warp – Bulge. In Warp Options, set Style to Vertical, Bend to
-20%. In Distortion, set Horizontal to 0% and Vertical to 40%.
Rectangle 2: Go to Effects – Warp – Bulge. In Warp Options, set Style to Vertical, Bend to
15%. In Distortion, set Horizontal to 0% and Vertical to 20%.
Rectangle 3: Go to Effects – Warp – Arch. In Warp Options, set Style to Vertical, Bend to 40%. In Distortion, set Horizontal to 0% and Vertical to 40%.
Rectangle 4: Go to Effects – Stylize – Round Corners and set the Radius to 20 px. Go to
Effects – Warp – Arc. Arc Style to Horizontal, Vertical Distortion to 40%.
Rectangle 5: Go to Effects – Warp – Arc Upper. Set the Arc Upper style to Horizontal, the
Bend to 50%. In Distortion, set Horizontal to 0% and Vertical to -20%.
Rectangle 6: Go to Effects – Warp – Bulge and set the Bulge Style to Vertical, Bend to -40,
Vertical Distortion to 80.
Rectangle 7: Go to Effects – Warp – Fish and set the Fish Style to Vertical, Bend to -40,
and Vertical Distortion to 20.
Rectangle 8: Go to Effects – Warp – Bulge. In Warp Options, set Style to Horizontal, Bend
to 40%. In Distortion, set Horizontal to -40%.
Rectangle 9: Go to Effects – Warp – Shell Upper. In Warp Options, set Style to Horizontal,
Bend to 10%. In Distortion, set Horizontal to -10%.
Rectangle 10: Go to Effects – Warp – Arc Upper. Set the Arc Upper style to Horizontal, the
Bend to 20%. In Distortion, set Horizontal to 0% and Vertical to -5%.
Additional: Pick any five of the above rectangles and go to Effect –Stylize – Drop Shadow
to add a variety of shadows to the shapes.
2.02 Create a Living Room Illustration
Objective: The student will successfully demonstrate the ability to create an illustrated
living room design, which includes furniture and accessories in a vector software
program.
Key Concepts Utilized: The students will demonstrate the ability to use lines and
shapes, the direct selection tool, stoke style and color, fills, gradients or textures,
stacking order, the pathfinder, and warp effects. The students will also utilize the
Principles of Design when creating this project.
Use your vector software program to design a living room in which each item in the
room is created by using available tools.
Some ideas for items for your room could be:
Sofa
Chair
Lamps or Ceiling Lights
Coffee Table
Flat Screen TV
Windows
Curtains or blinds
Vases
Flowers or plants
Book shelves with books
Mirror
Artwork on walls
Clock
Candles
Or anything else you want.
http://www.123rf.com/photo_4090191_living-room-illustration-10-of-10.html
You are required to make at least eight different items, but you can put as many more
as you want. Check out 123RF for some inspiration.
When you are finished with your project, save the illustration as
[LastName}LivingRoom.ai (or other available format). Once you have saved the
illustration Export the file as a JPG called [LastName]LivingRoom.jpg.