Computer Graphic Design

Spring 2014 – 29 – Face Trace

Objective:

To practice the use of filled shapes and colors to create original art in Illustrator.

Student Friendly Objective:

I can trace a photograph of myself using filled shapes and colors in Illustrator.

Video Link:

None

Topics Discussed:

  • File > Place
  • Template
  • Swatches Panel
  • Starting a new document in Illustrator CS4 using the Welcome screen.
  • Adjusting settings in the New Document dialog box.
  • Layers
  • Shape Tools
  • Pen Tool
  • Brush Tool
  • Blob Brush Tool
  • Warp Tool

 

Instructions:

Create a new Illustrator Web document with a single default-sized artboard. Save this document as “YOURNAME – Face Trace”. Then, follow the steps below.

  1. Open Photo Booth and use it to take a photograph of yourself. Copy this photo to your desktop or your Documents folder.
  2. Import the photograph on to your artboard as a Template by using File > Place, locating the photo on your machine, and placing a checkmark in the “Template” checkbox before clicking Place. The photograph should import as a new layer at 50% opacity (slightly grayed-out and see-through).
  3. Create a new layer by clicking the “New Layer” button at the bottom of the Layers panel. Rename this layer by double-clicking on it. Call the layer “Face”.
  4. Use the drawing tools (Shape Tools, Pen tool, Blob Brush Tool) to create a filled shape that traces the shape of your face.
  5. Repeat this process for every part of your face and body that you can see (Eyes, Nose, Mouth, Ears, Hair, Neck, Shoulders, Clothes, Jewelry, etc.) Be sure to create a new layer for each shape. You may wish to lock previous layers to avoid disturbing them.
  6. DO NOT use the Paint Brush or the Pencil tools to color in your shapes. Use filled shapes only. You may use the paint brush to add details like hair, eyebrows or facial hair.
  7. When all the visible parts of your face and body are covered, create a layer directly above your Template layer, and draw a rectangle the size of your entire page. Fill this rectangle with your favorite color to create a background.
  8. Save your document. Place a copy in folder 29 on the StudentTempFiles volume.

 

Assigned: February 10th, 2014
Due Date: February 14th, 2014