This week we vector/vectorise the Character & friend sketch and learn to use the additional features of the Pen tool

After the assignment you can make an extra assignment that doesn't score any points: a line sketch for  next weeks vector inking assignment.

This week you might have some downtime, which you can use on the extra assignments or the project 1.

Please check for style references online before starting the assignment.

If you are already knowledgeable about vector graphics, you can use the additional features of the Pen tool already in the Character & friend assignment.
If you just started vectors, use the techniques learned earlier and see the additional features lecture after.




V4. Character & friend */15


Tools

Basic tools: Pen, Anchor point, Selection, Direct selection

Form tools (Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon)

Pathfinder

(Additional features of the pen tool)

Assignment

Vectorise the character sketch using only fill forms

Reference

Your painted photoshop sketch

Instructions

  • Create an Artboard in Illustrator (Print A4)
  • Paste or Place the image, don't Open it
  • Lock the layer (empty square next to the visibility symbol in layers panel) you pasted the file into and create a new layer on top
  • Colours don't matter, it might be easiest to do with a coloured stroke
  • Reference can be copied so you can vectorise on top of the other one and see the other one
  • Create the forms in a smart order
  • Only form the edge that doesn't go underneath other forms
  • Use the Pathfinder for getting the combined edge of forms (copy the bottom form and intersect the copy with the form on top)
  • Undo every time you do a small mistake (this would be every 10 seconds)

Assessment criteria

  1. Anchor points are in smart places

  2. Forms are perfect

  3. Forms are beautiful: paths don't cross each other and there is small enough amount of anchor points, that the forms don't wobble

Time to be used

4 hours

Video

Demo Character and friend




After or during the assignment you can get to know the additional features of the Pen tool

  • Use this new "drag" method for the Form exercise (you don't need to turn this in)



VX5. Sketch for vector inking -/-

The sketch should be good for inking, so there is no point of doing a poor sketch :)
We have a collection of sketches that you can use in the assignment, so this is purely voluntery.

You don't need to turn the sketch in, but please check if its suitable for inking (the sketch indicates line weight etc.)

Here are examples of the sketches available next week:


Images:  @carolinsajur ja Heikka Valja



Tools

Pencil on paper

Pencil like lines in photoshop

Assignment

Draw a sketch for vector inking

Instructions

  • Draw the sketch on paper or in photoshop
  • Digitize the paper sketch with you phone
  • There should be at least 70 lines in your sketch

Assessment criteria

  1. The sketch show what is ink and what is not. There is no gray scale or gradients in the sketch

  2. There is no complex cross-hatching in the image

  3. Forms are beautiful: paths don't cross each other and there is small enough amount of anchor points, that the forms don't wobble

Time to be used

1-2 hours

Video

None





Last modified: Thursday, 18 April 2019, 11:20 PM