10 easy steps to create a simple character using the Pathfinder and Image Trace palettes in Illustrator CC.
To create this character I have contrasted sharp edged geometric shapes with more gestural hand painted shapes originally painted in my sketchbook. The Pathfinder and Image Trace palettes in Illustrator CC are ideal tools to enable this effective combination. In this tutorial I will explain, step by step, how I have used both palettes create this illustration.
Step 01
To make the moustache basic shape, draw an ellipse using the Elipse Tool in the top menu bar on the left hand side of the pasteboard. Using the Selection Tool click on the shape and click Alt to duplicate, press Shift and drag the duplicated shape to the right (this will keep it in line). Overlap the two ellipses slightly.
Step 02
Highlight the two new shapes using the Selection Tool press Alt and drag above and press Shift to keep it in line and bring to the front (Object Arrange>Bring to front). You are going to use this shape to crop the objects underneath to make the basic moustache shape.
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Step 03
Once you are happy with the moustache shape, select all the the shapes you have drawn using the Selection Tool. Go to Window>Pathfinder to bring up the Pathfinder Window. Click Crop then ungroup Cmd+Shift+G. Delete the white shapes to reveal the moustache shape.
You will notice that where the two ellipses have overlapped have split the shape. Highlight the entire shape again and press Merge in the Pathfinder Window, this will join the shape again.
Step 04
I now want to add a pattern to the moustache to give it texture. The pattern is made from the moustache shape that has been made much smaller and repeated. Highlight the moustache shape, press Shift and drag inwards to make it smaller, now highlight and press Alt+Shift to duplicate and keep in line. You can use these commands to keep repeating the little moustache shape.
Step 05
We now need to make a template in order to punch out the pattern shape in illustrator. Elsewhere on the pasteboard, draw a large square behind the moustache, press Divide on the Pathfinder Palette, then Cmd+Shift+G to ungroup. Click the inner moustache shape and delete.
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Step 06
Now overlap the rectangle with moustache shaped punched out over the repeating pattern you have created, highlight the entire thing with Selection Tool. Now press Trim in the Pathfinder Palette, ungroup and delete the black rectangle. It is helpful now to group the image.
Step 07
The nose is simply a rectangle, clipped by using the same duplicated shape and turned at an angle, then using Trim in the Pathfinder Palette. The eyes are created using the Circle Tool in the tool palette.
Step 08
The cheeks and the eyebrows started life in my sketchbook using a brush and black ink. Scan the ink drawings and drag and drop into the Illustrator document.
Step 09
Now click on the jpg and go to Image>Image Trace and click Preview in the bottom left corner. This converts the jpg into a vector image which you can adjust by using the Threshold, Paths, Corners and Noise toggles in Advanced until you are happy with the finished result.
Step 10
When you are happy, press Object>Expand on the top menu bar, make sure Object and Fill are clicked and press OK. The vector will be naturally grouped on several levels, press Ungroup a few times and you are then ready to edit and combine the vectors with the rest of the illustration. Spend some time composing all the elements through trial and error.
I enjoy playfully recycling parts of the illustration, the eyes are created using the brows and cheeks together, I changed the colour to white and put them on top of the black circles.
What is fantastic about Adobe Illustrator is that you can play around with infinite combinations making a family of characters or just tweak until you are satisfied, unlimited undos are your friend!
Anna Wray is an illustrator/author and a visiting lecturer on the Ba(Hons) Illustration at Cambridge School of Art. Check out her work and writing on her website.
