In our previous article on our creative process, we explored the remarkable potential of AI and its role in shaping our artistic endeavors at Obeekyo. We delved into the fascinating process of using AI to generate captivating visuals and ignite our imagination. Today, we invite you to embark on another creative journey as we peel back the curtain and reveal the process of crafting original illustrations using the remarkable power of Adobe® Illustrator. Join us as we unveil the magic behind our artistic endeavors, offering a glimpse into the world of digital artistry and the boundless possibilities it presents.
Unleash the power of your imagination and embark on an artistic journey, where the captivating art of illustrating intertwines with endless possibilities.
Adobe® Illustrator is a powerful vector-based design software that has become a staple in the creative industry. It provides designers, artists, and illustrators with a vast array of tools and features to bring their ideas to life. With Illustrator, you can create stunning and precise illustrations, logos, icons, typography, and complex artwork that can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
Illustrator’s vector-based nature allows for smooth curves and sharp lines, making it ideal for creating crisp graphics and professional-looking designs. Illustrator offers a wide range of drawing and editing tools, along with advanced color controls, gradient effects, and pattern creation capabilities.
It also supports integration with other Adobe® Creative Cloud applications, enabling seamless workflows and collaboration.
In this blog post, join us on a journey into the world of Adobe® Illustrator, where your creativity takes center stage. We’ll delve into the basics of this powerful design tool, and show off some of our original illustrations, hoping to a share a glimpse in to another one of our creative processes.
BEING CREATIVE
The first step is to find your inspiration. What are you wanting to illustrate? Is it a person, an object, a feeling?
Once we nail down the ‘what’, we like to create a rough draft of the image we will be creating with Illustrator using a regular ol’ pencil and paper. Unless we are using a photograph to illustrate from, we generally always lay out what we are trying to accomplish.
It doesn’t have to be fancy, it doesn’t have to be perfect.
This is for your reference while you are illustrating your image.
BLOCK STYLE
Styles of Illustration are as varied as the artists that create them. Obeekyo uses a form called, Block Illustration. We see things in shapes.
In block style illustration, the emphasis is placed on creating visual impact through simplicity and clarity. The artist uses minimal details and removes unnecessary elements to achieve a simplified and graphic representation. This style often employs strong contrast between colors and shapes to make the illustration visually striking and easily recognizable.
The term “block” in block style illustration refers to the solid and distinct areas of color that form the main components of the image. These blocks of color are usually flat and devoid of shading or gradients, giving the artwork a graphic and stylized appearance.
Block style illustration can be found in various forms of visual media, such as graphic design, editorial illustrations, children’s books, posters, and even digital art. It is favored for its ability to convey a message or tell a story in a straightforward and visually appealing manner.
LET’S DIG IN
For this post, we are going to share with you an illustration we worked on for a Twitch® streamer, Rageicide. If you don’t know what Twitch is, where have you been? We kid. Twitch is a prominent streaming platform that has revolutionized the way people connect, share, and engage with live content. Originally established as a platform for gamers to broadcast their gameplay, Twitch has since expanded to encompass a wide range of interests, including music, art, cooking, and more. At its core, Twitch allows individuals known as “streamers” to live stream their activities to an audience of viewers who can participate through real-time chat.
Here she is, Miss Rageicide, holding her morning mug of caffeine. We chose this image not only because it was interesting, especially with that cup of Joe, but also because of the simplicity of the image.
LETS OPEN UP ILLUSTRATOR
We have our image. First thing we like to do is block out the basic shapes. For people, we start with the face. Getting the shape of the face right is important for illustrations, when proportions are off, the image could be so skewed, it doesn’t even look like the person you are trying to illustrate. Do not rush this beginning step. It is the foundation for your whole Illustration.
When we are happy with the basic face shape, we move on to adding details to the face – not ALL the details, but enough to start bringing the face in to focus.
Usually the face takes up most of our time during illustrative work. The distinctive nuances that make up everyone’s individual faces can be difficult to capture, but with practice, you will start being able to master the ability.
From here we broaden out and start illustrating the item closest to the camera, or the item that is the focal point, outside of the person.
In this photograph, that item is the coffee mug and Rage’s hand. Once again, we start blocking out the areas that make up each of those main shapes.
You don’t have to worry about all the little highlights and shadows yet, just concertrate on seeing the “bigger shape” in the image.
Next up is finalizing the image. We added in her shirt, then started going in and adding all the little highlights and shadows, making the illustration come to life. While it’s important to note that you do not *have* to add the details of shadows and highlights when blocking, it does make the image less flat, adding needed dimensions to the final piece.
AND, VOILÀ!
Keep in mind, always keep your bits on separate layers! We promise, this will save you so much heart ache in the future.
Each portion of the illustration is on it’s own layer, (and titled) so we can find it quickly to make changes, or to add a layer, below or above, where we need to, quickly and efficiently.
In closing, we hope this journey through the creation process of our original illustration featuring the talented streamer, Rageicide, using Adobe® Illustrator has sparked your artistic curiosity.
Through the sharing of our insights, techniques, and personal experiences, our goal is to empower and motivate you on your own artistic endeavors. Whether you’re an experienced illustrator seeking new avenues of expression or an aspiring artist eager to embrace the world of digital design, we encourage you to embrace the endless possibilities that Illustrator offers.
LINKS APPENDIX
Rageicide: https://www.twitch.tv/rageicide
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv
Adobe Illustrator: https://www.adobe.com
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OUR CREATIVE PROCESS: Exploring the Magic of AI: https://obeekyo.com/our-creative-process/
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