1. Hello Draco, give us a background bio on yourself, where are you from? What is your typical day like?

Hi, I’m from Brazil! My day starts at 09:00 am with a short walk from my house to the agency where I work. After that, in my house, I work until 03:00pm on my own projects.

2. When did you first feel the calling to get into design and illustration? Did you attend a traditional design school or are you self-taught? We would also like to know about your first design job.

Well, I’m self-taught! I have been drawing since I was a child and going to the design field was a natural way. I started with creating logotypes and advertising illustrations for small clients.

3. How long have you been designing and illustrating? What is your day job as a full time designer in a web agency?

I really do not remember when I started creating illustrations. I have been working with design for about 10 years.

4. Can you give us an insight into your creative process and your research resources? Is the process different for personal and client work?

Yes, I always say that every job deserves special treatment, and how I can illustrate in several different styles, each job receives unique treatment. But when things are not very clear, a little wine and Radiohead open my mind (or make me sleep!).

5. What is it about the vector medium that fascinates you? What tools and applications do you use to create your vector arts? Would you like to share with us your favorite vectoring technique?

My favorite software is Corel Draw, but, I work with illustrator too (80% with Corel Draw and 20% with Illustrator). Normally, I do a freehand sketch, then I import the image to Corel Draw and finish the illustration node by node.

6. Apart from illustrations, you do a lot of T-shirt designs. When and how did you get interested in designing for T-shirts?

I was studying vectors and this universe of T-shirts looked like a good opportunity to improve my techniques and possibly earn some money.

7. What are the challenges involved in turning an art piece into a really saleable product? And how do you overcome those challenges?

I don’t think of creating illustrations as marketable. I think the public who buys T-shirts from shops that promote design competitions, are more interested in art prints, that makes it easy. I don’t  think in creating saleable illustrations, I think the public who buys T-shirts in online stores who promote design competitions, are more interested in artistic tees. This makes it easy.

8. What is your favorite and least favorite thing about the design and illustration industry? What’s the one thing you wish you knew when you started your career?

Its too simple. Working in design and illustration is what I love! =)

9. What project are you working on now and what excites you most about that project? Is there any dream project you would like to work on?

I’m involved in some projects at the same time, and one in particular is writing and possibly illustrating a story book.

10. How is Brazil’s art scene? Does the Brazilian culture influence your works?

The art scene here in Brazil is very diverse, with several tribes following different paths in design and I think it’s the best influence I can have, working with several different styles and not getting stuck there is a single line.

11. Thanks for the interview Draco. Would you like to give any tips or advise to aspiring digital artists and designers?

Watch and study. Always try to do what you like and do still hold to the trends.

Draco on the Web

• Portfolio
• deviantArt

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New Exclusive JPG/AI Icon PACK – Free Download

This new Vector Freebie Pack is created by Oindrila Mukherjee and is available exclusively from Vectortuts+. If you’re looking for high-quality social icons for your next web project, then check out these icons. This set of 18 high quality freebies is available free, follow this link to download today from our freebies section! Enjoy!

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New Exclusive JPG/AI Icon PACK – Free Download

This new Vector Freebie Pack is created by Oindrila Mukherjee and is available exclusively from Vectortuts+. If you’re looking for high-quality social icons for your next web project, then check out these icons. This set of 18 high quality freebies is available to download today! Enjoy!

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Cartoon Zombie by fizzgig

4 Bloo Vector Characters by crimz

Tweet by fizzgig

Cardinal by bitesizemunchy

Under Construction Monkey by tsumba

Cereal Monster by dalileo

Lion by DirkL7

Cool Cats by Ania

Dance of the Upper East Siders by bendangsenla

Five Kids Character by SummerSun

4 Cute Characters by Davesgud

Squirrel by javier_rejon

Cute Redhead by spinsugar

Birdie by dvkro

Chibi Dragon by zeusbox

Dummy on Steroids by zhille

Cute Sad Looking Ghost Bear by candycat

Geeks Two Cents by zhille

Panda by running727

Zodiac Signs Cuties by Trevor80

Tech Guy Mascot by Trevor80

Summer Beauty by hipis

Birdie by Eseniko

Monkey King by running727

Miss Payne by grubforce

Angel and Demon by running727

Chic Girl by Mahno

Flaming Creature by k3vinteh

Maestro by emfeha

Stone Age by Kailoon

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This Vector Plus Tutorial is Filled with Creative Techniques and a Professional Workflow

In this tutorial, we’ll cover some important tips, techniques, and professional workflow to simplify your efforts while creating photorealistic portraits. Assuming that you are familiar with the basic use of the Mesh Tool, we’ll dive right into more advanced mesh techniques!

Plus members can Log in and Download! If you’re not a member, you can of course join today! You can view the final illustration below.

This is a Detailed and Professional Tutorial

Plus members can Log in and Download! Otherwise, Join Now! Below are sample images, which show some of the development of this tutorial.

Vector Plus Membership

As you know, we run a premium membership system here called Plus that costs $9 a month (or $22 for 3 months!) which gives members access to the Source files for tutorials as well as periodic extra tutorials, like this one! If you’re a Plus member you can log in and download the tutorial. If you’re not a member, you can of course join today!

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For the sake of fun and simplicity, I will be supplying a simple drawing of a hippie bus as a starting point. Simple enough, till the client comes back with CHANGES!

Final Image Preview

Below is the final image we will be working towards. Want access to the full Vector Source files and downloadable copies of every tutorial, including this one? Join Vector Plus for just 9$ a month.

Tutorial Details

• Program: Adobe Illustrator CS3
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Estimated Completion Time: 30 minutes

Introduction

The client wants to incorporate a paint job on the van so that it says “Awesome.” After showing them a initial sketch proof image, they come back with totally different feedback. Now they want the bus to have “Be Free” on the side and they want a bird and a bird cage on the roof.

Instead of re-drawing the image with the new lettering, scanning, cropping, cleaning it up in Photoshop and then finally creating a new proof image for the client to view, I will simply just sketch-in the requested changes in illustrator. This allows you to show the client the requested changes quickly, without having the clutter and headache of creating new drawings. Since there are often numerous rounds of changes, I can quickly and efficiently create a visual for them by simply doing it in Illustrator.

Step 1

We’ll start with an existing illustration that has been drawn, scanned, cleaned up in Ps, vectorized, colored and shown to the client. The colors are grouped and you think you’re close to finishing up the project. But hold it right there…

Step 2

The client comes back with changes! Dang! You were so close, you even stared prepping the file for print. They want lettering on the bus that reads “Awesome.” Using the Pen Tool in AI sketch in the lettering.

Step 3a

You’ll need to create a clipping mask around the lettering, so it’s clear for the client. To do this you will need the outside shape of the van. A quick trick that I use to select this outside shape from a complicated drawing like this is to use the Direct Selection Tool (A); chose one point from the outside of the blue outline. Then copy and paste the point.

Step 3b

Next, hit undo (Command + Z) and the entire outside of the shape will be selected. Simple copy (Command + C), deselect everything (Shift + Command + A) and paste in front (Command + F). Viola, you have the nice blue outside shape.

Step 3c

Next select the outside blue shape and the “Awesome” lettering, Control-click and select Make Clipping Mask.

Step 3d

Double-click to enter the clipping mask, and change the lettering from a stroke to a fill (color = #EC7892).

Step 3e

Simply move the “awesome” lettering below the linework/window shapes and you can save out a JPG, then send along to the clients for approval.

Step 4a

Shoot! The client has come back with more changes. Now they want the paint job to be more psychedelic and read “Be Free.” Additionally, they want a bird with a bird cage sitting on top of the bus. No problem, simply start sketch out the lettering using the Pen Tool.

Step 4b

Disregard the “awesome” lettering, but don’t delete it, as they may want it back later. Sketch in the new lettering with the Pen Tool. You can sketch directly inside the clipping mask. To get the psychedelic feel add a few motion shape/lines.

Step 4c

Sketch in the bird cage and bird. Since this in not completely integrated in the drawing, you really just need a guide line for the top of the bus.

Step 4d

This back and forth with the client could go on forever, but with a simple set-up, you can make it just a little easier on yourself.

Step 5

Once the client has signed off and approves the sketch, it is super simple to render out the final image. Simply change the shapes/lines you drew to a .25 line and print it out.

Step 6

Using these guidelines redraw the line-work for the illustration. Scan in the drawing.

Step 7

Bring the scan into Photoshop. Go to Image > Adjustments > Threshold to make the image strictly black and white. Clean up and dust/dots with the eraser or just by painting it white. Also, to save a headache later on, separate the birdcage from the bus outline. Save as a flattened PSD.

Step 8

Open the PSD file in Illustrator and using Live Trace to vectorize the black and white drawing. The settings that I use work like a charm.

Step 9a

Copy and paste the new vector drawn line-work into of the original illustration file.

Step 9b

Align the new drawing so that it matches up with the sketch lines/shapes.

Step 9c

Delete any access shapes, like the inside of the letters, and separate out the bird cage part of the drawing to its own group.

Step 10a

Now its time to bring it all together by combing the changes line-work with the original illustration. Using the large shape from the sketch clipping mask, simply create a clipping mask of the new line-work and color as is in the sketch. Delete (or just hide it to be safe) the sketch line-work/shapes.

Step 10b

Move the sketch to the correct position, just above the neon green and below all of the other shapes. Color the new line-work and shapes according to the sketch and move the bird cage into position. Hopefully the client wont come back with more changes!

Final Image

This is a simple look-in on how, in certain cases, I handle the feedback/changes process of a project. Obviously, this process will differ depending on how an individual works and as well as their illustration style.

The final image is below. You can view the large version here.

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5 floral decorative ornaments in the .zip file. You can use these ornaments freely.

Tutorial Wrap

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  Create a Happy Sun Character

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  Scale Objects in Adobe Illustrator via Keyboard

  Keyboard shortcuts are a true blessing. Using them effectively can save countless hours in the creative process. This quick tip from the GoMediaZine shows how to scale objects using keyboard shortcuts in Illustrator – a real time-saver!

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  How to Effectively Clean Up a Logo in Illustrator With the Pathfinder Tool

  The pathfinder palette is one of Illustrator’s most powerful tools. Using it effectively can make a huge difference in the quality of your designs and workflow. This tutorial from the Design O’Blog shows how to “clean” a logo in Illustrator using the Pathfinder.

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  Rad Pattern in Illustrator that Makes you Dizzy

  Creating patterns in Illustrator is fun and sometimes challenging. This tutorial from Abduzeedo demonstrates how to create a “dizzying” pattern based from a skateboard graphic.

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  How To: Create a Seamless Diagonal Pattern in Illustrator

  There are several ways to create a seamless diagonal pattern in Illustrator. Some methods work but don’t always leave you with the most flexible result. This tutorial from Bittbox explains how to easily create a seamless diagonal tile in Illustrator.

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  Create a Seamless, Textured, Spade Pattern Using Illustrator and Photoshop

  In another pattern-making tutorial, this tutorial from Colorburned (Me) demonstrates how to create a seamless spade pattern in Illustrator and then how to apply a seamless texture to it using Photoshop.

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(FREE!) Download Picks

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  Free Citrus Vectors

  This time of the year, anything that gets my mind off the cold weather is always nice. These great citrus vectors from Vector Jungle display a wide-range of citrus illustrations and includes slices of lemons, oranges, and limes.

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  Freebies: Foliage Flourishes – Vectors & Brushes

  Everybody loves vector flourishes, right? These really nice vector flourishes from My Ink Blog and Artbox7 are really nice examples of vector swirls and flourishes. They can easily be used to add interest to your designs.

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  Stencil Pack

  Real-life stencils are a lot of fun to play with. These vector stencils are as close to real-life as you can get and are a lot of fun to play with, especially if you try combining them with some really nice spray paint vectors.

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  Halloween Freebies – Pumpkin Patterns

  It may be too late for Halloween vectors but there is always next year to look forward to. These vector pumpkin and jack o’lantern patterns are tons of fun and would make excellent backgrounds for next year’s Halloween designs.

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  Free Vector Seamless Patterns – Retro Set 4

  Our friends at Pattern Head are always churning out cool vector patterns. This set of seamless vector retro patterns are pretty cool. Head over to Pattern Head and check these out. They will make great backgrounds for your next retro design.

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Vector Inspiration

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  30 Superb Examples of Infographic Maps

  As you search the web, you will find that there are a lot of ways to display really cool and creative interactive maps. This round up from Web Designer Depot displays some of the best examples out there.

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  Weekly Vector Inspiration #40

  In another fantastic inspirational post, our friends at Vectips put together a round up of some excellent vector designs. Check out this post if you’re looking for inspiration.

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  Amazing Vectorific Inspiration #1

  There really is no such thing as too much vector inspiration. This terrific post from Vectorific showcases some more excellent examples of vector design.

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  Colorful and Organic Illustrations by Alexander Tyapochkin

  Russian-based illustrator Alexander Tyapochkin’s work is full of life. This post from Abduzeedo showcases some amazing examples of vector art.

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  Von Glitschka – Adobe Illustrator CS4 Guru

  Von Glitschka is a well-know Illustrator master. You probably recognize him from the several tutorials he has written for Vectortuts+. This interview from the GoMediaZine goes a little more in-depth into his background and explains his thoughts and experiences as an illustrator.

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New Seamless, Vector Grunge Textures

This new Vector Plus Pack is created by Sean Hodge. I enjoyed making this set of seamless vector patterns. These are all created in Illustrator. Use them to add some texture to your artwork.

There are 10 seamless vector patterns in this pack. The license allows these to be used in your commercial client projects as well, see the download file for details. Below is the set of dark grunge patterns, which can be colored any way you choose, as it’s all vector (EPS format)! Note that the images below are scaled and cropped; they are seamless in the Plus download though.

Vector Plus Membership

As you know, we run a premium membership system here called Plus that costs $9 a month (or $22 for 3 months!) which gives members access to the Source files for tutorials as well as periodic extra tutorials, like this one! If you’re a Plus member you can log in and download the tutorial. If you’re not a member, you can of course join today!

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Helen says, her heart always desired to be in a creative field which motivated her to change her career choice from being a lawyer to a designer. Read on this interview to know about her work, her future goals and how she enjoys creating art, learning new things and pushing her style forward.

1. Hi Helen, Give us a little background bio of yourself; tell us where you’re from. What is a typical day for you?

Hi, my name is Helen Huang, a.k.a. CQcat. I was born and raised in China and currently living in Los Angeles. Since I have a full time job, a typical day involves 10am to 7pm in the office, working diligently.  As for the rest of the time including weekend, I try to spend as much time as possible on my illustrations. 

2. You were all set to be a lawyer, then you decided that you want to be in the digital art field. When did you make this decision? Was it an easy choice to switch career paths? What was your first experience in the digital art field?

I always have passion for art. I grew up drawing and doodling. However, when I was in high school, artist/designer was not a “decent occupation” in China. I went to college with a law major instead. After graduation, I started working at a leading law firm in China. Everything looked perfect except I knew I desired more.

I wanted to explore all my options before it was too late and I was very lucky to get a visa to come to the US a year later for my Master’s degree in Advertising. My focus in graduate school was branding, not designing though.

I got an office job after graduate school.  The job was not challenging enough for me after awhile. Next thing I know I started making a Chinese language learning Flash site with some friends in my spare time. That was when I had to pick up drawing and sketching after many years and start to learn all the design software needed to create graphics for the project.

That, I would say, was my initial contact with digital art. I have been learning and creating digital art ever since. From lawyer to designer, it sounds random. I know how I got here was anything but random. It was a lot of dedication and work.

3. Did you take any formal education graphic design or are you self taught? What tools and applications do you mainly use? What does your workstation look like?

I didn’t have any formal education in graphic design. I am self-taught.

I do most of my work in Illustrator. I am hoping to experiment with more Photoshop in the future. I use a PC at home and a Mac at work, both with dual monitors. Once you go two, you cannot go back to single monitor.

4. What is your workflow for creating a typical image, how long does it take?

My typical workflow starts from pencil sketch on paper, to scanner, to Illustrator. The time spent on each piece is really varied. Some take 5 or 6 hours. Some take 20 to 30 hours.

5. Females seem to be a central focus for most of your illustrations. Why is that? Do you have any specific plans for the future direction of your artwork?

I dreamed of becoming a fashion designer when I was young.  I’ve always had a passion for it. So my illustration can also be viewed as fashion illustration for women. Fashion or art, there is no line drawn.

As for future plans, I am currently illustrating a children’s book. My next goal is to get into professional fashion illustration for magazines, clothing or cosmetic brands. In the meantime, I am just enjoying creating art, learning new things, pushing my style forward.

6. Your illustrations have attractive color scheme. What is your technique for using colors, how do you go about choosing colors schemes for your illustrations?

I love colors. I love closing my eyes facing the light and see all these beautiful colors and shapes. Whenever I see a nice color scheme, I try to have it imprint in my head. Sometimes I already have colors picked in my head when I am doing a pencil sketch.

Sometimes, I simply enjoy spending a lot of time experimenting with different colors, shades and blend modes. Once in a while, I end up having 2 or 3 different color schemes for one illustration. I remember having 3 color schemes for The Woods.

7. What is your day job as a full-time designer in ad agency? How long have you been working as a full-time designer?

I am a designer at an interactive ad agency that specializes in film marketing. I love my job and I enjoy working with all the super awesome and talented people there. I’ve been working as a full-time designer for two years. My day job uses a different skill set than my illustrations.

I mostly work in Flash, Photoshop and After Effects at work. Ironically, both are creative and involve design, but very different at the same time. It feels like I have a double identity, day and night.

8. Would you like to share with us your favorite vectoring tool, tip or technique?

I love the Pen Tool!  I know it’s very basic. But I cannot give it too many credits personally. I create shapes with the Pen Tool for each little thing in my artwork. This way it’s super easy for me to go in there and modify anything.  So one piece may have hundreds or thousands of shape layers.

I also love inner glow. It gives a very natural and subtle effect especially on the skin.

9. What do you consider your major influences to be? What are your favorite sources of inspiration? Do you find yourself browsing any online design community or website?

I consider manga, fashion, and my Chinese heritage the major influences on my work.

As for the sources of inspiration, it actually comes from everything in daily life.  I take memory photos in my head whenever I see something so incredible. I also carry a small sketch book with me all the time, to back up the memory photos just in case. I had inspirations coming from movies, music, folk story, or even dreams.

I browse design sites very often. I love looking at other artists’ work for style inspiration.  I also love taking new tutorials and learning new tricks. I am a member on deviantART and Flickr.  It’s a great feeling to share work and passion with the art/design community.

10. Which is your favorite piece of work that you have created so far and why? What was the inspiration and idea behind it?

Each piece is unique to me and has its special place in my heart. This may sound cliché, but I really cannot pick one as my favorite so far. I always hope my next piece will be my new favorite. It’s very rewarding to see yourself grow and evolve.

11. And, now a little tricky question, if you were a guy and if you were to marry one of the beautiful girls that you have illustrated/created, to whom would you propose?

Can I have them all? If I really were a guy, that probably would be my thought! But if I have to choose only one, I think I would propose to the girl in Dark Wings. She is confident, attractive, and playful.

12. Thanks for the interview Helen. Would you like to give any tips or advise to aspiring digital artists and designers?

Keep learning and challenging yourself. Love what you do and have fun with it!

Helen Huang on Web

• Portfolio
• deviantART

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