Building a Christmas Ornament - Adobe Illustrator Tutorial

Jacquelin Vanderwood November 15, 2003   1 Let's start the ornament by creating a perfect circle with the ellipse tool. Hold the Shift key down to create the perfect circle. Then create a rectangle at the top for the stem of the ornament.   2 Combine the two pieces and then click on Expand.   3 In the Appearance palette duplicate the ornament layer. Using the Appearance palette, click on the first fill layer and then select gradient. Using the CMYK color palette set C to 0, M and Y to 100, and K to 0 to create a bright red. Apply a circular gradient of red and white to the ornament.   4 Use the Place command to place a photo or a piece of artwork onto your work area. Send it back one level.   5 With both the top path and the placed picture selected, press Control+7 to create a clipping mask.   6 Select the image layer and turn it to the Multiply mode.   7 Apply an Inner Glow to the image layer.   8 Lock the two lower layers. Create a medium gray rectangle on a new sublayer.   9 Create one Rounded Rectangle, Alt+drag to duplicate then Control+D to continue to duplicate.   10 In the Appearance palette select the group. Apply a 2 pt. stroke then make the fill transparent. Duplicate the Stroke layer and apply a .5 pt stroke white to it. Create a circular loop on the same layer to achieve the same look as the silver piece we just created.   11 Draw a hook with the Pen tool making sure to adjust the point with the Direct Selection tool. The ornament is now completed.     Copyright 2003, Jacquelin Vanderwood, All Rights Reserved