In this project, we were to create a figure hand-drawn from observation, colored with culture-inspired patterns in Illustrator.
We started by researching different cultural patterns and copying them down into our sketchbooks. Then, we went into Illustrator to make more polished, personalized versions of them, and made pattern swatches that we could use to fill areas in. These patterns were used to fill in the black and white pattern man.
To start the figure, we drew from a live model wearing an awesome costume. I scanned my sketch on newsprint and inked in the lineart in Illustrator. It might have been prettier lineart if I inked it by hand, but I’m not completely comfortable with Illustrator yet and I need to practice using it. I think practicing this time helped my skill using the pen and curvature tools.
Then we filled in areas of the figure using our personalized patterns. I had lots of patterns and I wanted to use them all. Most of my patterns are on the mid-to-light gray levels, so I put them on the sides and top of the figure, and I put the darkest patterns on the figure’s front so that the eye is centered when looking at the drawing. I also changed the line weights and strokes to make them more calligraphic-looking. The figure looks more dynamic this way.
After doing the black and white pattern man, we learned how to colorize the patterns using color guide. I picked some light greens and light purples to use because I enjoy those colors, and because the slight pastel makes a pleasing, lighthearted contrast with the somber pose and expression of the figure. During this time I also made more patterns out of the existing ones using scale/sizing, the rotation tool, different gradients and grayscale values, pathfinder, shape builder, and the pattern tool. Before I only had seven patterns, and now there are a lot more.
I replaced the black and white patterns with their respective color patterns, and I added more patterns to the unfilled space so that those areas did not feel so empty. I used the blob paintbrush tool and the pen tool for this.
I learned how to make patterns and various tools in Illustrator, including the blob paintbrush, the pattern maker, the rotation tool, and the line strokes. I practiced drawing people from observation, choosing colors, and using the pen and curvature tools in Illustrator as well. The project was pretty stressful, but I feel like I’m becoming more comfortable with digital art, which is good.
