Mercadotecnia, Publicidad y Diseño: Adobe Illustrator Tutorial: How to Create a Vector Cartoon House

domingo, 23 de septiembre de 2012

Adobe Illustrator Tutorial: How to Create a Vector Cartoon House

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This Adobe Illustrator tutorial is not very difficult but still it is designed for those who know Adobe Illustrator at least a little bit. I will show you how I draw the elements of vector scene. Basically, I use simple techniques. You don’t need just to copy everything; learn some basic techniques and nuances of Adobe Illustrator’s tips.

Step 1

So, let’s start! Create a rectangle with the Rectangle Tool (M) and fill it with linear gradient. This will be the background of our vector scene.

Draw a sketch of a house (I usually use Photoshop for this) and then paste it into Adobe Illustrator. Now reduce the sketch opacity.

Step 2

Below the sketch create an outline of the house with the Pen Tool (P). The color of the object is chosen so, that it matches the color of the stroke.

Copy and paste the result shape to the front (Cmd / Ctrl + C; Cmd / Ctrl + F). Lighten the copy’s color and reduce its size a little holding the Shift + Opt / Alt keys (this allows us to transform the shape proportionally and don’t change its centre). You can move the points of the top figure a little bit in order to get different width of the stroke. With the Pen Tool (P) create a roof outline. These objects should have the same colors as a stroke.

Step 3

With the Pen Tool (P) create a shape of a roof.

Then create a shape of clarified part of the roof. This object has the same color as a roof. Reduce its opacity and change a blending mode.

Then create shades and reflection of the sky. In this case use other opacity and the Multiply Blending mode. Create a reflection on the roof. Fill this shape with blue; reduce its opacity.

Step 4

Create strips on the roof which will illustrate its heterogeneity. Now create some patches of light.

Create some more small details which will convey the play of light on the edges of the roof.

Here as well I use the same bending modes and different values of opacity to control intensity of light.

Step 5

Draw a shade on the house.

And now draw a light part with the linear gradient; change the blending mode. Color of the left slider of the gradient has the same color as the fill of the house.

Now let’s create the lighter areas. We use the same gradient but with higher opacity.

Step 6

Draw the windows using the described techniques. First, create a shape of the stroke, then copy and paste it to the front, change the color and reduce the size of the copy. We have got a window frame in such a way.

Then again, we double it, change the color and reduce it. This is the glass stroke.

We create the shape of the glass in the same way; then fill it with a linear gradient.

Create highlights and shadows on the glass.

Create a window drop shadow.

Step 7

Create the rest of the windows using the described techniques. I try them not to look alike.

Step 8

We draw the door frame in the same way. Don’t forget about the shadow from the jamb.

Draw a tree texture with the Pencil Tool (N)

Now lighten the areas of the door between created texture lines. Moving away from the source of the light reduce the figure opacity accordingly.

Step 9

Using already well-known techniques create a heart-shape hole in the door.

Step 10

Create two steps and fill them with grey. Add some light and shade. Create a couple of hexagons with different opacity. They should demonstrate the concrete stair structure.

Step 11

Create a doorknob. On the figure below you can see the stages of its creation.

Step 12

Add some bricks to make the house look more pictorial.

Draw a cat on the roof; add a chimney and an antenna.

And now the final step- a little balcony and a mailbox.

Step 13

Let’s create a tree now. First, create a trunk.

Then draw a crown.

Add some reflection of a background; copy the crown and paste it behind (Cmd / Ctrl + C; Cmd / Ctrl + B). Change the copy’s color into blue, reduce the opacity and move it a little bit to the right.