Skills

  • Understand color modes and the main color controls
  • Create, edit, and paint with colors using a variety of color methodsDemonstrate an understanding of vector drawing concepts
  • Draw and edit curved and straight lines
  • Add and delete anchor points
  • Cut paths with the scissors and knife tool
  • Draw and edit with the pencil tool

Resources:

http://maclab.guhsd.net/blog/
inspiration/read-first/digital-arts-09
/gallery-032-%E2%80%94-1011-self
-portraits/

Pen tool references:

http://help.adobe.com/en_US/
illustrator/cs/using/WS3f28b00cc50
711d9-2cf89fa2133b344d448-8000.html

http://tv.adobe.com/watch/
learn-illustrator-cs6/essentials-
of-the-pen-and-pencil-tools/

Adobe Illustrator CS6: Classroom in a Book

Celebrity Portrait

OVERVIEW

Of all of the tools in Illustrator, the Pen Tool is by far the most important to master. Without being able harness the power of the Pen Tool, Illustrator doesn’t do a whole lot more than any rudimentary graphics program. The Pen Tool gives you all of the power to create what you want. There is really no way around learning to use the Pen Tool if you plan on creating vector graphics beyond simple boxes or circles

We’ve worked a lot with the pen tool and other Illustrator tools. This project is a creative project where you will use a picture of a celebrity to create an illustrated portrait of them using Illustrator pen tools.

OBJECTIVE

To understand how to utilize the pen tool in Illustrator to create and edit paths in order to create illustrations.

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. EXAMINE
    Look at examples of past projects that were completed in the program. You can these on mbitwebpagedesign.com’s website under student work.
  2. RESEARCH
    Find a celebrity portrait that you would like to illustrate. The portrait should have a lot of tones and shadows so you could effectively give the portrait dimension.
  3. DEVELOPMENT
    Open a new illustrator 8.5” x 11” document. It could be oriented at portrait or landscape. Import your picture into the workspace. Fit the portrait to take up most of the space in the document. (I would lock the selection once you have determined its placement so it does not move on you as you start to trace it.)
  4. CREATE
    Using the pen tool, start tracing the features of you celebrity.Pay attention to your main features and trace those large areas. It’s easier to trace the “lower” images first, then the “top” images (draw the head before the eyes, draw the iris before the pupil) Experiment with all the tools, pencil, pen, brush, etc… See what tool feels best for each part. Experiment with line, proportion, and color- they’re the major focus on this project. Use color to enhance the dimensions of the portrait. Color can be used to define shadows, tones, and portrait features.
  5. ENHANCE
    When your portrait drawing is complete, develop a background that fits your celebrity’s personality.
  6. SUBMIT
    Save your work in your Illustrator folder as: CelebPortrait(your initials), Submit your work.

IDEAS/EXAMPLESCelebrity_illustration_3

CJ_Celebrity525e7fea136b6.jpg

ASSESSMENT

You will be graded according to the following criteria on the rubric below. (Point will be deducted for lateness)

Criteria 10-8 7-5 4-3 2-0 Student Grade
Representation The illustration fully represents the celebrity being illustrated. The illustration somewhat represents the celebrity being illustrated. The illustration hardly represents the celebrity being illustrated. The illustration does not represent the celebrity.0.10
Color There is a variety of color that represents the image well. Color is apparent in the illustration but could be represented better. Color is hardly used in the image. There is no color shown.
Quality The illustration was well thought out and represents quality work and effort. The illustration was well thought out and represents good quality and effort. Some minor improvements are needed. Many improvements to the quality of the illustration and design are apparent. No thought or effort is apparent in the illustration.
Tools The pen tool is used accurately. Mastery of the pen tool is shown. The pen tool is used well. Adequate pen skills are shown. The use of the pen tool needs to be improved. The pen tool is used poorly. No skill is shown.
Creativity The overall design shows a nice balance of color, shape, and line. The overall design shows a balance of color, shape, and line. The overall design shows a poor balance of color, shape, and line. The overall design does not show a nice balance of color, shape, and line.
Time Management Student always uses classroom project time well. Conversations are primarily focused on the project and things needed to get the work done and are held in a manner that typically does not disrupt others. Student usually uses classroom project time well. Most conversations are focused on the project and things needed to get the work done and are held in a manner that typically does not disrupt others. Student usually uses classroom project time well, but occasionally distracts others from their work. Student does not use classroom project time well OR typically is disruptive to the work of others.