| Introduction: Illustrator Basics
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| Before
I begin the steps, let me explain what tools I mostly use when I create my illustrations.
I'm not going to show how to use all the tools, it is your job to read the manuel
that came with the software and practice using them. Lastly, whatever I draw in
Illustrtor, I like to think of them as "objects". If I were draw a simple
line, that would be an object. Then if I were to draw a circle next to it, that
would be another object. |
 | A. | Selection
Tool (V). Simple tool to move an object around. | | B. | Direct
Selection Tool (A). A tool that allows you to move indivdual points |
| C. | Pen
Tool (P). Imporant tool, allows you to create curves. | | D. | Gradient
Tool (G). I don't use this tool that often but it comes in handy. This tool basically
creates a gradient. | | E. | Eyedropper
Tool (I). A simple tool that picks up color. | | F. | Scissors
Tool (C). This tool allows you to cut vector lines. | | G. | Zoom
Tool (Z). Allows you to zoom into the document. | | H. | Fill
(X). Fills the object with any color you select. Select a color by double clicking
on the box. | | I. | Stroke
(X). Allows you to change the object's stroke color. | | J. | None
(\). If you want no fill but a stroke, click on the fill box and then this button.
The same goes if you want a fill but no stroke. | |
| Creating
Illustrator Objects |
 | The
three objects above were created by using the circle tool. All three are the same
but 1a has a fill and a stroke, 1b has a fill but no stroke, and 1c just has a
stroke. | |
You
can also create your own shapes by using the pen tool, make sure you connect the
end point to the beginning point to create the shape. |  |
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 | In
2a, 2b, and 2c, you connected both end and beginning points to create the shape.
If you don't connect the point and just have a stroke (no fill), you basically
created your own line (using the Pen Tool of course). | |
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Using
the idea from 2c and 3a, you can create a line that changes in thickness. |
| Step 1: The Secret Behind Hawk's Illustration |
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Let
me tell you the secret behind all my illustrations. Before I even start up Adobe
Illustrator, I sketch out what my illustration will look like. Most of the time
I sketch the idea carefully on a regular computer paper with a pencil or blue
drafting pencil. The purpose of the sketch is so you will have a guide when you
work in Illustrator. |
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1. | Using
my Spider-Man / Mary Jane sketch as an example, I did the sketch on a regular
piece of paper and scanned it at 300 dpi. (Yes I over did it with Mary Jane.) |
2. | After
I scanned the sketch in, I took it into Photoshop and made it lighter. I want
it light enough so I can see everything and tell the difference when I start tracing
it. |
3. | I
saved any changes I did to the sketch and brought the image into Adobe Illustrator.
You can bring the sketch into Illustrator couple of ways; you can copy and paste
it or go to File->Place and select the sketch file. |
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When
you bring the sketch in, Illustrator loads the image into the first layer. I always
call that layer sketch and lock it. Make sure you lock the layer that contains
the sketch; you don't want it moving around on the window. |
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