|
|
 |
01 | Create a Sky Background
In order to see the white clouds we are about to create, draw a sky blue (Color values: R:153 G:204 B:255) rectangle that encompasses the dimensions of the Artboard. Use Smart Guides (Window > Smart Guides) to aid in alignment as you click-and-drag out the rectangle. When complete, name this layer SKY and lock it. This will serve only as a background and nothing more.
02 | Draw the Basics
Create a new layer above SKY and name it CLOUDS. In the toolbox, set the fill to white and the stroke to none. Use the Ellipse Tool and draw some flat ellipses and arrange them in manner resembling the example.
03 | Combine the Shapes
Select all of the ellipses that make up the cloud by choosing Select > All or by pressing Ctrl/Cmd + A.
Open the Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder), press the Alt/Option key while clicking on the Add to shape area command. This will merge the shapes into one. Those of you using Illustrator 9, click the Unite command.
04 | Copy, Copy
Make a copy (Ctrl/Cmd + C) of the merged shapes and paste it in front (Edit > Paste in Front or Ctrl/Cmd + F) of the original. Fill the copy with grey (R:153 G:153 B:153).
|
|
 |
Note: Using the regular Paste command (Edit > Paste) will paste the shape in the center of your screen rather than directly in front of the original shape. This will, of course, throw off the alignment and cause you much heartache and angst. |
Copy the gray shape and paste it in front (Ctrl/Cmd + F) of the other grey shape. Yes, another copy! For visual contrast only, fill this object with a color other than grey or white. I chose electric green (R:50 G:255 B:0)! In total, you should have three shapes stacked precisely on top of each other: the white shape, the grey shape and the green shape.
05 | Offset Shapes
Use the Selection Tool to grab hold of the electric green shape and drag it slightly up and left from the grey shape below it. Try to approximate the look below.
Continued... | Next Page » |
