In this tutorial I show how I create a character I've named the "Cactus King." My normal approach to designing is to create a sketch on paper first, scan and then build in digital form. However for this character project I wanted to explore creating in vector right from the get go.                 Final Image Preview You can find the source files in the download link labeled "cactusking" . You may wish to look through them briefly before we begin. A preview of the final image is below.           Download...

For this tutorial, we'll use simple shapes to create a cute robot. We'll apply various shading techniques to give our vector illustration a 3D style. We'll work from sketch the final illustration, and cover all the techniques used to make this character. Let's get started!               Final Image Preview You can find the source files in the download link labeled "Cute 3D vector robot" . You may wish to look through them briefly before we begin. A preview of the final image is below. Tutorial Details Program: Adobe Illustrator CS3 Difficulty:...

Creating a cartoon or human-like caricature is a fun and rewarding project to do in Illustrator. Not only that, but if you’re pretty good with the pen tool, it doesn’t take very long. In this tutorial I will be creating an elf. Be sure to look at refrences of other cartoons or caricatures to make sure your shapes are correct. To start, I drew a basic head shape.                     Then, I added the hat and hair. To remove extra lines, I expanded all the lines and deleted the extras I didn’t need. Sometimes you might have to go...

Cartoon character drawing covers a lot of techniques and styles from one color characters to multilayered colorful ones. In this tutorial, I will cover the necessary steps for creating a colored multicolor cartoon character that includes shadings. I used Adobe CS3, a Wacom tablet, an inked drawing, and scanner. With your tools ready, let’s get to it!             Final Image Preview           Step 1 This time I inked the pencil drawing the old fashion way before scanning it because I wanted to have a preview before the scan. You scan...

In this simple but very time saving and useful tip, we will see how we can transform pattern fill in Illustrator without transforming the object on which the pattern fill is applied. For example, if you have a pattern fill applied on a square or rectangle shape like this:                     And, if you want to transform the pattern without transforming the square shape itself. Select your shape and go to Object>Transform>Rotate. in the resulting dialog box, uncheck the Object option. keep the Pattern option checked and specify the angle...

In this tutorial I will show you how to make a cool colorful text effect using a vector image. This tutorial will focus on showing you the technique, cause I think, once you know the technique you can explore and experiment it further to suit a type effect or a project that you're making. Apart from the text effect, in this tutorial I will also show you:             how to offset the stroke or the double stroke in text/type how to use appearance palette and blending mode and will give you some tips along-the- way           So without...

In this tutorial, I will show you how to create sticker style effect in Adobe Illustrator. Sticker effect is quite common and I am sure, you might have seen it used in various designs. So lets get started and let me tell you, it is quite easy and you can create a sticker style text in no minutes and you can apply the same technique for any graphic illustration as well.                       Step 1 Type down the text, make sure to use a little thicker font, I used Arial Rounded MT Bold. Select the text, right click, and choose Create Outline,...

Often after approving the final label’s design, clients will want to see the design mocked-up as a package. Starting with a final label design, we’ll use Illustrators mesh tools to simulate a 3D package design. Let’s go ahead and do that!                   Final Image Preview       Step 1 Open your approved label design in Illustrator, in this tut I use snack label as an example, which is shown below.         Step 2 Group the objects (Command + G), select it, then apply Envelope Distort > Make...

In this tutorial, we will explain how to create vector skyscrapers and how to set up a vector city with simple steps. This is a beginner tutorial and easy to follow. Let’s get started!                   Final Image Preview             Step 1 Open a new document and select the Rectangular Tool Grid in the Tool Bar.         Step 2 First set the fill to black and the stroke to white. Then click once on the artboard and the Rectangular Grid Option window will pop-up. Apply the settings you see in...

Illustrator’s built in Symbol Sprayer can be a highly useful tool for quickly creating awesome pattern graphics. Let’s look at creating a few vector skull graphics, then combine them into an intricate pattern design to customize a skateboard deck.                         We’ll be using our design to create a custom skate deck graphic, but it doesn’t have to stop there. This technique can come in handy for any design project.       Open up Adobe Illustrator and draw a circle onto the artboard. Hold...