Vector Illustration

In this unit you will master the almighty Pen tool to create original vector art. There are different approaches to creating stylized vector art and you will experiment and select an approach that agrees with your style and skill level.

Part 1: Practice

1. Dowload the pen tool practice template and save it to G: > Graphic Design > Vector Illustration (new folder) > 01 Pen Practice (new folder). Open the file in Illustrator. 
2. Unlock the 'Pen Tool Template' Layer select the image and reduce the opacity to about 60%. Then, lock the layer. This allows you to see your own paths more clearly (think back to the 'Type Face'). 
3. Add a new layer and name it 'Pen Practice', this will be your working layer.
4. Watch the video 'Adobe Illustrator Basics: Pen Tool Tutorial'. You may pause and replay as you are completing your Pen Tool Practice. (This is another vid to check out or you can look up other tutorials on your own.)
5. Fill in each shape with a fill color when you are done completing the shape & make sure you are closing shapes.
6. When you are done export the file as a JPG, and Turn in to Google Classroom 'Part 1: Practice'.

Part 2: Vector Fruit or Veggie

Now that you have a basic understanding of the pen tool, you will create an illustration of a fruit or vegetable to apply your Pen Tool skills.

1. Search for a source photograph and save to new Folder in G: > Graphic Design > Vector Illustration > 02 Vector Veg (new folder)
2. Launch Adobe Illustrator
3. Create New Document 8.5 x 11 inches
4. Place your image into your new document
5. Hold shift and re-size your image using the selection tool.
6. Lower the opacity to 'ghost' the image to make it easier to trace.
7. In the Layers Panel, Lock the image layer and name the layer.
8. Create a new layer and name it 'Vector Art'.
9. Save your document to Graphic Design > Vector Illustration > 02 Vector Veg (new folder) > lastname_firstname_veg.ai ​it is good to save often so you don't lose your work if the program crashes.
10. Select the Pen Tool and select the fill option to fill in your path with color. I like to draw with a line and when complete switch to fill.
11. Using the pen tool and its options, trace your image to create your vector fruit or vegetable. When tracing pay attention to shading and value to give your illustration depth and form. You should be simplifying your image.
12. When you are done export the file as a JPG, and Turn in to Google Classroom 'Part 2: Vector Fruit or Veggie'.​

Final Project: Vector self Portrait

Express yourself!
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Using Illustrator you will create a self-portrait using vector tools. You can use a photograph as a basis for your artwork. Consider drawing from a photograph & then scanning the sketch as the basis of your illustration or using Photoshop to alter or distort your photograph.
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To complete this project you will determine a method and create your own illustrative style to create your original work of art. You may trace the photograph or create your portrait based off of a drawing you make from an image... remember the more you change the image the more original it will be. 

​The process of going from drawing to Vector Illustration - Putting it all together

Here are some tutorials to get you started, they vary in degrees of difficulty so pick a method you think you will be successful in completing. 

• Vector Stylized Portrait
• ​Pop Art Inspired Vector Self Portrait
• Monochrome Vector Portrait
• Retro Style Portrait
• Geometric WPAP Vector Portrait
• Low-Poly Portrait

Tools you may want to use to alter your photo first:
Posterizing an image
Levels to add contrast
Levels to add Contrast 2

Keep in mind you should make mistakes along the way... that is normal, just go back a few steps and try again or 'make it work!'