Draw a Vector Puppy, Part 1: Illustrator Basics
This is Part 1 of a three-part beginner series in Adobe Illustrator. The goal is not only to draw the puppy but to learn the interface and the core tools as you go, so you can draw any shape afterwards. If you already know Illustrator you can skip the explanations and follow the drawing.
Step 1: New document
Go to File > New, pick a size, set the colour mode to RGB (this is for screen) and name the file. Resolution does not matter for vector art, since it scales to any size.
Step 2: Learn the workspace
Tools are on the left; Properties, Layers, Libraries and Colors are on the right. You can add extra panels from the Window menu (the video keeps Pathfinder and others open). Objects you draw are stored as sub-layers inside the main layer, like grouped layers in Photoshop.
Step 3: Background
Draw a rectangle over the artboard. Note that every object has a separate Fill and Stroke; set the stroke to None and choose a blue fill. Rename the layer BG and lock it, then make a new layer for the artwork.
Step 4: The face
Draw an ellipse for the head (hold Shift for a perfect circle, or drag for an oval). Alt-drag a copy for the lower muzzle, reshape it, then merge the two with the Shape Builder Tool (drag across the pieces). Refine the shape with the Direct Selection Tool: move anchor points with the arrow keys, adjust the handle “basic points” to change a curve’s angle, and drag the live-corner circles to round corners.
Step 5: Clean up anchor points
Pathfinder and rounding can leave extra anchor points. Add the Delete Anchor Point (minus pen) tool to your toolbar from the tools flyout, and Shift-click a point to remove it while keeping the shape close to the same, rather than plain-deleting which breaks the path. Then finish the face and start the chest with another ellipse.
Conclusion
Part 1 covers the tools you will reuse for the whole puppy: Ellipse, Shape Builder, Direct Selection, live corners and clean anchor-point editing. Recreate this before Part 2 so you can follow on.
Links from the video
- Join the members-only content: https://bit.ly/3fEEvD4
- Members-only videos: https://bit.ly/3fJieDV
- Step-by-step tutorials playlist: http://bit.ly/31EXG6G
