Making a Modern Art Background - Adobe Illustrator Tutorial

Jacquelin Vanderwood May 15, 2004   1 To make this scene let's first start with a blue rectangle as shown below. 2 At this point apply Create Gradient Mesh with 6 rows and 6 columns.   3 The mesh will like the one below.   4 With the Direct Selection Tool select all the outer points of the mesh then click on the color black.   5 On a new layer create another rectangle in green. Use the Add Anchor Point Tool and add three anchor points at the top of the rectangle. Convert them to curves using the Convert Anchor Point Tool. Adjust the points until they resemble a hill. Grab the two top out anchor points and hold the Shift key down then pull down.   6 Using the same method we used previously, apply black to the outer points.   7 On a new layer create begin by creating a new gradient and putting it into the Swatches palette.   8 Draw a narrow triangle at an angle and use the gradient tool with the new gradient and apply it to the rectangle. 9 Use the Alt and Shift key to duplicate horizontally and then use the Reflect Tool to flip it. Select both and use the same method to flip and copy vertically. After each layer is completed, lock them.   10 On a new layer create shape like the one below next to the shapes we just duplicated. Make a new gradient of the sky blue and black and apply it to the crescent using the Gradient Tool   11 Use the same method for duplication that we use to create the original four blue to yellow gradient triangle.s   12 Create an circle. Use the same blue and yellow gradient we used before but move the slider for the yellow over as far as it will go in the gradient slider. Use a Radial gradient.   13 Use a Feather of .1 for the on the circle.   14 Unlock the hill layer and select individual point and drop some lighter color on them.   15 Create a bunch of ovals and circles to make a cloud. Use Pathfinder to combine them using Add to shape area.   16 Apply a black stroke at a size of 6 pixels the Feather at .1.   17 With a black fill and no stroke, create extensions into the cloud using the Pen Tool.   18 Feather using .03 in. so they are not so hard on the edges.   19 Create some yellow highlights and apply a Feather of .05.   20 Draw 4 dark blue shapes on a new layer and apply a feather of .05. Set the layer transparency to 60%. 21 Draw a shape on the ground for the cloud shadow in black. Feather at .9.   22 From here you can save the piece to use as a background for an animation, or whatever type of artwork you'd like.     Copyright 2004, Jacquelin Vanderwood, All Rights Reserved