Showing posts with label illustrator. Show all posts
Showing posts with label illustrator. Show all posts

Sunday, January 26, 2014

How To Make A Color Swatch Palette In Illustrator From A Photograph - How To

Design Seeds does pretty color palettes based on photos. These photos were taken last summer at the Farmer's Market and the Water Lily was taken at Como Zoo.
Color Swatch Palette made from a photo of peppers

Color Swatch Palette made from a photo of flowers

Color Swatch Palette made from a photo of flowers

Color Swatch Palette made from a photo of a water lily
To make the color palette:

Crop your photograph in Photoshop and place the image into Illustrator.

To Make The Rectangles:
Make a shape. I used a rectangle.
Click on the shape. Press Option then Shift to copy the shape. Drag the copy into place.
Command D duplicate.
Keep clicking Command D until you have all the shapes you want.

To Color The Rectangles:
Click on a rectangle. Touch the Eyedropper Tool to the photo to capture the color.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Making A Repeating Pattern in Illustrator. - How To

You can make repeating patterns in Photoshop but I prefer Illustrator since they are vectors. I made some notes about how to do this from a book but Redbubble has a terrific tutorial. Defining the Pattern works for anything you want to make into a swatch. I was only playing around with this so I used symbols that are found in Illustrator.
Screen shot for making a pattern swatch in Illustrator

Objects Selected Screen shot for making a pattern swatch in Illustrator

Completed Repeating Pattern


My Notes:
Make a square Document in Illustrator.
View > Show Grid
Create a square smaller than Document. My Artboard is 6 inches and the interior square is 3 inches.
Place the square in the middle.
View > Snap To Grid
Lock the layer.

Make a new Layer.
Place your images.
A corner image has to be on all 4 corners and side images are on the opposite side in the same spot.

To precisely place side and corner images:
Place an image
Press Command C to copy.
Press Command F to paste in front.
Window > Transform to bring up the Transform box.
For my 3 inch square I need to move objects + or - 3 on the X or Y axis. After the X location in the Transform Box add + or - 3. Click Enter. This will place the copied image precisely.

Don't worry about duplicating Objects inside the square unless they extend beyond the square's sedge. It's easier to shift interior objects if you turn off Snap To Grid.

Unlock the square and make it transparent, this allows your Swatch to be used on any background color.

Select everything.
Edit > Define Pattern. Name it and click OK
The Swatch will now be in the Swatches Pallete.

To apply the swatch click it on a shape and it will fill it just the same as any color. If you need to change the size of the pattern, go to Transform > Scale. You only want to have the Pattern option selection checked, not the Object.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Wrapping Text Around An Object In Illustrator - How To

close up of text intertwining in illustrator
The way I learned to wrap text around an object was outrageously complicated. You needed to cut and paste sections and nothing ever lined up as well as I wanted. This is too simple.

Convert your text to outlines
Select the text.
Object > Live Paint > Make
Press K for the Live Paint Bucket and touch the cursor to the spot you want to color. You can see where I didn't color the section of the E in the above image.
Expand

You can get small ugly lines where the live paint group was created. They don't print but they must go anyways since the fix is also simple. (This can also happen when you Divide objects in Pathfinder)

Enter Isolation Mode by Double Clicking
Use the Magic Wand Tool to select like areas, ie. the grey e since there is a former live paint group across the center. (You can also accomplish this by clicking on each of the segments while holding down Shift.)
Unite the like areas in Pathfinder and the lines vanish.
close up of text intertwining in illustrator

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Making Decorative Digital Washi Tape in Illustrator - How To

If I could only stick to the digital version... Nichole's Classes has an excellent YouTube video. I used a pretty swan photo that I found on the stock photo site Morgue File.
swan with washi tape in the corners

wrinkle tool in illustrator screen shot
My Notes:

Make rectangles in Illustrator, the color doesn't matter.

Access the Wrinkle Tool. It's located under the Warp Tool in CS4. Depending on the size of your rectangles you may need to change the settings. Brush along the tape edge that would normally be cut during use.

You can further alter the cut edge by using the Direct Selection Tool (the white arrow). I dragged a few points and small groups of points on the Tulip piece. The tiny leaf version was left with no alteration.

The Morning Glory version was manipulated to angle the ends with the Shear Tool. The Shear Tool is found under the Scale Tool. You click and drag while holding Shift. The Shear Tool can also be found at Object > Transform > Shear.

Nichole made her own patterns, I used the ones available in Illustrator. (You can also use digital paper found online and a clipping mask) Windows > Swatch Libraries > Patterns > Nature > Foliage. I wanted the tape to be uniform so I used the black and white versions. If the pattern is too large or small you can scale it by going to Object > Transform > Scale. Check Pattern.

To make a colored background click on the tape, Command C to copy, Command F to paste in front. I used the eyedropper tool to pick colors from the swan photo. Object > Arrange > Send To Back to put the color piece behind the patterned piece. Command G to group each individual piece of tape. If you don't group the tape piece the 2 layers will be harder to move.

Change the Opacity of the tape to 80% so it becomes translucent. Place the tape on top of your photo.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Pop Art Photograph With Automatic Color In The Live Trace Palette Illustrator and Photoshop - How To

Edgar Allen Poe Pop Art
Wegraphics has a interesting way to color a live trace image. I haven't found a way to easily choose where the color goes but it is enormously faster than filling the colors in with the Paint Bucket. I used a public domain photo of Mr Poe.

illustrator live trace screen shot




















My Notes:

The photo had a busy background so I placed the image in Photoshop and masked out the background. Save the masked photo as a png.

Open a new Illustrator file.

Place the photo.

Before you start the Live Trace, make a color swatch collection and save it.
I opened the Swatch Library and selected 3 colors from Art History > Russian Poster Art. Drag the colors into an empty swatch panel. Save to The Swatch Library and give it an easily recognizable name.

To Use: Open the Swatch Library and select your newly created swatch. The Tracing Options Color Palette won't work if the swatch isn't open first.

Do a Live Trace, selecting your named swatch. Expand.

Since this is supposed to resemble a screen print I put a white grunge image on top of Poe in Photoshop, Blending Mode > Screen.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Scribble Effect Applied To Text In Illustrator - How To

I'm not certain why I bookmarked this tutorial from Vectips; perhaps to remind me of the effects that are seldom used. It's good to kill some time playing with the different effects since they can make life easier.

I'm 10 days in but eliminated 71 bookmarks so far. Hmm... I don't think the math works out. Actually, a lot of the links no longer work; hence my taking notes and not relying on links.
Scribble Effect Applied To Text In Illustrator - How To


This is outrageously simple.

Pick a font, something sturdy.

Effect > Stylize > Scribble. There's a lot of preset choices that you can tweak by moving the slidders.
45% angle. Path Overlap0px. Variation 2 px. Stroke Width 1 px. Curviness 0. Variation 50%. Spacing 2 px. Variation 1.5 px.

If you want an outline, add a stroke to the text. This one is roughened.
Effect > Distort and Transform > Roughen. Options .01. Relative. Detail 10/in. Smooth Points

The effect is editiable in the Appearances Panel.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Graduated Stippled Grain Effect In Illustrator - How To

Grain Effect In Illustrator - How To
Grain texture is another option that I seldom use in Illustrator. If I need a grain texture I go to Photoshop but there is a very nice tutorial from Cheryl Graham, Vector Tuts+, on how to do it easily in Illustrator.

I was curious how to change the splatter color and my notes follow.

Grain Effect In Illustrator - How To
Grain Texture on Text: (black and gray example)

Type text
Type > Create Outlines

Make a copy

Do a gradient fill, white to black.

Effect > Texture > Grain. Intensity 58, Contrast 30, Grain type Stippled

Another setting for a grain texture is Effect > Texture > Grain. Intensity 74 (you can experiment with this number to get the grain you desire), Contrast 50, Grain Type to Sprinkles.

Place the textured object on the original object.
Transparency Panel > Blend Mode Multiply

Changing the grain color to something other than black: (blue and white example)

Type text
Type > Create Outlines

Make a copy

Do a gradient fill, white to black. (I reversed the gradient direction from the original black and grey version)

Effect > Texture > Grain. Intensity 58, Contrast 30, Grain type Stippled

Object > Expand Appearance

Object > Live Trace > Make
Open the Tracing Options Dialog Box - The settings I used are in the above screen shot.
Expand.

Recolor the grain to whatever color you choose. I used white since I was inspired by the falling snow.
Place the textured object on the original object.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Big Ole Viking Statue Alexandria Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster

It's so ironic that I'm finishing the month with the giant viking statue Big Ole since I'm currently cooking the Norwegian stew Lapskause.

I don't know what it is about Minnesota statues and pants. It might be because summers are too short but thanks to good heating systems we have options; or it could be because we fortify with hearty stews.

Available on Etsy  

Friday, November 29, 2013

Split Rock Lighthouse Lake Superior - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster

Split Rock Lighthouse Lake Superior - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster
The lighthosue has been retired but the area is still stunning; well worth the trip.

Available on Etsy  

Thursday, November 28, 2013

International Falls Minnesota Smokey the Bear Statue - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster

International Falls Minnesota Smokey the Bear Statue - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster
I was an honorary forest ranger in grade school, I hate to admit how long I kept the certificate. We also learned the Smokey Bear Song, my kids looked at me odder than usual a few years when I sang it for them.

With a Ranger's hat and shovel
and a pair of dungarees,
you will find him in the forest
always sniffin' at the breeze.
People stop and pay attention
when he tells 'em to beware,
'cause ev'rybody knows that
he's the Fire Prevention Bear.

Chorus:
Smokey the Bear, Smokey the Bear.
Prowlin' and a growlin' and a sniffin' the air.
He can find a fire before it starts to flame.
That's why they call him Smokey,
That was how he got his name.

You can take a tip from Smokey
that there's nothin' like a tree.
'cause they're good for kids to climb in
and they're beautiful to see,
you just have to look around you
and you'll find it's not a joke,
to see what you'd be missin'
if they all went up in smoke.
Chorus

You can camp upon his doorstep
and he'll make you feel at home;
You can run and hunt and ramble
anywhere you care to roam.
He will let you take his honey
and pretend he's not so smart,
but don't you harm his trees
for he's a Ranger in his heart.
Chorus

If you've ever seen the forest
when a fire is running wild,
and you love the things within it
like a mother loves her child,
then you know why Smokey tells you
when he sees you passing through,
'Remember...please be careful....
its the least that you can do.'
Chorus

Available on Etsy  

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

World's Largest Prairie Chicken Rothsay Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster

World's Largest Prairie Chicken Rothsay Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster
The world's largest Prairie Chicken dwells in Rothsay, Minnesota.

From the chicken's plaque:

Prairie chickens moved ahead of the settlers to inhabit the prairies of Minnesota. A large concentration of the protected bird can still be seen on prairie meadows of the Rothsay area. In the early spring the male prairie chicken performs his mating ritual called booming. He spreads his wings and tail feathers, inflates the orange wind sacs and struts while making the booming sound.

On June 10, 1975, Rothsay was designated “Prairie Chicken Capital of Minnesota”. This statue of a booming prairie chicken was designed and built by Art Fosse with assistance and funds from the community. The statue stands 13 x 18 feet and weighs 9,000 pounds. It was placed on this site and unveiled, June 15, 1976.

The objective of this project is to alert area visitors and remind local residents of the beauty to be found on the native prairie grasslands.

Rothsay Centennial Committee - 1983

Available on Etsy  

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Monday, November 25, 2013

Pierre The Voyageur Two Harbors Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster

Pierre The Voyageur Two Harbors Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster
Any statue can have painted on pants, it takes a special person to choose bare legs and thigh high boots during a Minnesota winter. Pierre used to have wobbly eyes but now is a bit more intimidating with his vacant stare and slight smile; he knows you are peeking to see what's under the tunic.

Available on Etsy  

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Itasca State Park Mississippi River Headwaters - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster

Itasca State Park Mississippi River Headwaters - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster
This is my favorite state park. There are lots of great bike trails, a clean lake, excellent gift shops and the headwaters is fun to walk across.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Paul Bunyan's Marble Chisholm Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster

Paul Bunyan's Marble Chisholm Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster
Young Paul Bunyan didn't always pick up his toys. The marble was found by miners after he grew up and moved on. The boulder in Chisholm Minnesota is over 4 tons.

Available on Etsy 

Friday, November 22, 2013

Paul Bunyan and Babe The Blue Ox Bemidji Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster

Paul Bunyan and Babe The Blue Ox Bemidji Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster

According to Wikipedia and Kodak, they are the second most photographed statues in the United States, Mount Rushmore is first. So, Paul and Babe are more photographed than the Statue of Liberty? I love Minnesota but I doubt they came in second. I must admit I've photographed Mount Rushmore and Paul but have not been to New York so Kodak could be right. They must have devoted a lot of time to looking at bad photos of people waving.

I went to my favorite information source, Google.
Paul Bunyan Bemidji images 50,800 The number is higher without Bemidji, but then you get other PBs
Mount Rushmore images 840,000
Statue of Liberty images 13,700,000

Sorry Paul.

Available on Etsy 

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Lake Serpent Lake Crosby Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster

Lake Serpent Lake Crosby Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster
Once again I took some artistic license with a statue but it's basically the same. You expect fish and bird statues but a sea serpent is pretty awesome.

Available on Etsy 

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Giant Rooster Statue Two Harbors Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster

Giant Rooster Statue Two Harbors Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster
I wanted to put something more personal on the poster about the rooster but I turned into a 12 year old boy when it occured to me that it was an 8 foot cock. I was stuck on phrases such as the biggest cock in Minnesota and decided it's never a bad idea to shut up.

You can find out more about the history of the Rooster here.

Available on Etsy 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Ear of Corn Water Tower Rochester Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster

Ear of Corn Water Tower Rochester Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster
This cool water tower used to be part of LIbby's but now it's Seneca. The supports are actually grey but I preferred them to be brown.

Available on Etsy 

Monday, November 18, 2013

Pelican Pete Pelican Rapids Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster

Pelican Pete Pelican Rapids Minnesota - MN Roadside Attraction Travel Poster
I always wanted to actually get out and see the giant Pelican but when my dad was set in motion he didn't want to stop for anything. Last time I was in Detroit Lakes I drove down and got to explore this charming town. The Pelican was great but the thing I loved the most were the painted chairs outside the local businesses. Instead of putting in street benches the shops have uniquely painted chairs.

Available on Etsy