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We're going to create vector portrait illustration using Adobe Illustrator. This tutorial will take an intermediate level of skill using Adobe Illustrator and it's coveted Pent Tool.

Here is an example of our finished illustration:

Final Image

1. Download

the resource file: DOWNLOAD and open it up in Adobe Illustrator.

2. Lock the layer and create a new layer naming it "EYES" on your layers palette.

• Zoom in on the LEFT EYE.

Select the PEN TOOL and > Disable the Fill Color > Set the stroke weight to .25 pt.

3. EYES

Using your best judgement, trace the contours of the eye from the furthest to the closest feature.

4. MOUTH

Create a new layer and name it "MOUTH" on your layers palette.

Using the same technique used for the eyes, zoom in on the mouth and create a "PEN TOOLED SHAPE" for every detail of the mouth. Starting with the teeth and then on to each individual lip and shading. Remember that the more detail the better so zoom in as far as you can without creating screen interpolation.

When your finished outlining the mouth, lock the layer, save and create a new layer named "EYE BROWS".

5. EYE BROWS

Shape the eye brows. When finished, Lock the layer and save.

* DO NOT GET LAZY! ZOOM IN AND DETAIL EVERY CURVE OF EVERY SHAPE ON YOUR SUBJECT. IT IS THE SUM OF ALL SECTIONS THAT CREATES THE WHOLE! *

NOW PAY ATTENTION!!!

6. FACE

We need to outline the entire face.

(Pay attention to the stacking order because when it comes time to "FILL COLOR" your shapes, you don't want to have a feature covering another one up.)

Now outline the perimeter of the entire head from underneath the hair to chin, including the ears. (Overlap the HAIRLINE because we're going put the actual hair on a higher layer so it will cover up the top of the face line.)

Create a new layer and name it "FACE SHADING" and this should be the only unlocked layer. Make sure your saving.

On this layer we will be creating shapes for the Nose, Ears, Jaws, Cheeks, Eye Sockets & Forehead.

Remember to work from the back to the front. Also every tone or shade of color should be it's own shape. DETAILS!

When finished, lock layer and save.

7. NECK

On your layers palette, highlight "LAYER 1" and create a new layer naming it, "NECK". Shape outline the neck then lock the layer and save.

8. SHIRT

Create a new layer and name it "SHIRT".

Outline the shape and shade of the shirt before locking the layer and saving.

9. HAIR

Highlight the top layer named "EYE BROWS" and then create a new layer named "HAIR". Your going to have to use your imagination a bit in order ti seperate the hair from the background as you can tell they blend together.

One shape is all you need. Lock the layer and save.

10. LINE ART

Create a new layer and name it "LINES". Now we're going to create a few hard lines to accent some of our most well defined areas. (Jaw line, Lips, Nose, Outer Perimeter.)

11. EARRINGS

Create a new layer and name it "EARRINGS". PEN TOOL your shape work for your subjects accessories and then save.

12. FILL COLOR

Finally our outline work is complete. Now it's time to "FILL COLOR".

For every shape... Activeate with your "DIRECT SELECT TOOL" (Black Arrow) and then click inside of it with your "EYE DROPPER TOOL" to fill it with it's appropriate tone.

Not ever tone will be perfect but don't worry, we'll clean it up at the end.

Start by filling the shapes that aren't covering any other shapes up first. I.E. don't fill in the face first because you won't be able samplethe eyes, mouth and shading.

SAVE OFTEN DURING THIS PROCESS

13. CLEAN UP

At this point all of your shapes should be filled with it's tonal color, but our piece looks kind of funky. So use your judgement and select a couple of key shapes and adjust the transperancy level of change the color to something closer to your liking.

14. FINISHED

Turn your visibility off of "LAYER ONE" and admire your work. Make any additional changes and brush ups at this point to make it perfect.

Save and take into photoshop for post production



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