Create a Detailed Dog Portrait in Adobe Illustrator CC

IntroductionIn this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to create a detailed dog portrait from a reference photo with Adobe Illustrator CC. Let’s enjoy vectoring dogs in Illustrator!

My subject is Kaky, a Kelpie cross Border Collie puppy. I will be using a reference photo of him which I photographed at my home.

Final Image

Step 1Create a new print document in landscape orientation. Choose File > Place and select the supplied “reference -photo.jpg“ image. Click to place the image in the upper-left corner of the artboard. With the image selected, select the Artboard tool () in the Tools panel and choose Fit To Selected Art from the Presets menu in the Control panel to resize the artboard to fit the image.

In the Layers panel, double-click the default layer named “Layer 1” and rename it ref.

Step 2Now that our reference photo is in place, we’ll capture the colors from the photo and generate a color palette we can use. I use several methods to do this: Sampling with the Eyedropper Tool (I), and using Image Trace and the Swatches panel. I’m going to show you the second method.

First, select the Selection tool, and with the image selected on the artboard, copy it by pressing Cmd+C (Mac OS), or Ctrl+C (Windows) and paste a copy in back by pressing Cmd+B (Mac OS), Ctrl+B (Windows), then lock the copy for later use by pressing Cmd+2 (Mac OS) or Ctrl+2 (Windows).

Select the unlocked image and click the arrow to the right of the Image Trace button in Control panel. Choose “16 Colors” from the menu that appears. After the artwork is traced, click the Expand button in the Control panel. This converts the image to vector artwork and allows us to grab the colors from it. This also always helps me to see the light tone and dark tones of the photo.

Step 4Create a new layer in the Layers panel above the layer named “ref,” and rename it bg. Using the Rectangle Tool (M), draw a rectangle over the entire artboard and lock it. Hide the new “bg” layer by clicking the eye icon in the Layers panel.

Create another new layer in the Layers panel, above the “bg” layer, and rename it face.

Choose View > Smart Guides to turn them off to make it easier to draw with the Pen tool. Next you will draw the main shapes for the dog.

Select the Pen tool (P) in the Tools panel and draw the base shape for the face. Change the fill color to the values “C=90, M=80, Y=80, K=80” (you may want to save this color as a swatch because you will use it again later). This initial color is not one of the swatches captured from the tracing.

Step 3In the Swatches panel (Window > Swatches), with the traced artwork still selected, click the New Color Group button at the bottom of the panel. In the New Color Group dialog box that appears set the following options and then click OK:

• Name: dog• Create From: select Selected Artwork• Convert Process to Global: selected• Include Swatches for Tints: selected

The 16 colors are now in a group in the Swatches panel. If you want, you can delete the traced photo leaving the copy of the un-traced photo on the artboard. I deleted it.

In the Layers panel, lock the “ref” layer. Make sure the layer content is still visible.

NOTE: Going forward, you can turn the visibility of the ref layer on and off as you draw so you can more easily trace the image content, then turn it back off to only see the drawing. In the figures going forward, I’ve turned off the ref layer so you can more easily see the drawing I created.

Step 6Now that you have the initial shapes created, you will begin to add highlight tone to the face.

Make sure that the “face” layer is selected. Hide all layers except for the “face” layer and, if you want, the “ref” layer to use the traced photo as a reference. Going forward, remember to turn the other layers back on when you need them.

Select the Paintbrush Tool (B) in the Tools panel. Before you begin painting, you will choose a brush. Choose Window > Brush Libraries > Artistic > Artistic_Ink. Click the “Tapered - Stroke” brush in the list to paint with an art brush. You will be using this brush going forward. Close the Artistic_Ink panel. Open the Brushes panel (Window > Brushes) and double-click the “Tapered - Stroke” brush in the list. In the Art Brush Options dialog box, change the Width to 15%. Click OK. You will use this same brush for the rest of the tutorial.

In the Control panel, make sure the following options are set:

• Stroke weight: 3 pt• Variable Width Profile : choose “Width Profile 1” from the menu• Brush Definition: should be “Tapered - Stroke”• Stroke color: C=90, M=80, Y=80, K=80 (the same as the original face shape)

Draw the shape for the highlight tone (see the figure for reference). Make sure that there aren’t any gaps between each of the smaller paths that make up the larger shape.

Note: If you’re using a mouse to create these shapes, it can take a little while. The faster and more accurate way of creating these shapes would be to use a pen tablet, like a Wacom.

Step 5Create two new layers below the “face” layer in the Layers panel and rename them left ear and body (see the figure for reference). Select the “left ear” layer and, using the Pen tool (P), draw the shape for the left ear, using the image as a guide.

Select the “body” layer, and draw the shape for the body.

Select all three shapes and choose Effect > Distort & Transform > Roughen to make the edge of the shapes “shaggy.” See the figure for roughen settings that are most effective.

Continue drawing shapes for the highlight tone in the face and select all of those shapes and group them by pressing Cmd+G (Mac OS) or Ctrl+G (Windows). Repeat the same process for creating highlight shapes for the body and left ear.

The following figure shows the shapes for the face and the highlight shapes in place. I put a copy of the highlight shape group to the right of the face shape so you could see what I drew more easily.

Select all of the highlight paths and choose Object > Expand Appearance. With the shapes selected, select the Live Paint Bucket tool in the Tools panel (beneath the Shape Builder tool) and change the fill color to “C=90, M=80, Y=80, K=80.” Click inside of the highlight shapes to convert it to a live paint object and fill it with the color.

With the shapes still selected, set the blending mode to Screen and the opacity to 30% in the Control panel.

Step 8Using the Pen Tool (P) draw the outline for the inside of right ear. Apply a Radial Gradient with two colors that are both (C=8, M=70, Y=45, K=0). Make sure the opacity on the second color in the gradient is 0% (see the figure). Adjust the gradient using the Gradient tool (G) so it looks more like the figure.

With the shapes still selected, change the blending mode to Color Dodge and the opacity to 20% in the Control panel.

Select the “left ear” layer in the Layers panel and repeat the process (making sure to show the other layers after).

Step 7With the “face” layer selected in the Layers panel, draw the outline of the brown patch on the cheek. Apply the White, Black gradient to the fill of the shape in the Gradient panel (Window > Gradient). In the Gradient panel, change the color values of the white color to the swatch in the dog group with the tooltip that shows (C=27, M=37, Y=56, K=2) with an opacity of 100% and the color values of the black color to (C=27, M=37, Y=56, K=2) with an opacity of 0%.

Note: You can put the pointer over a color swatch to see a tooltip that shows the color values. Going forward, you will be using this same method to apply colors from the “dog” color group you created earlier.

Select the Gradient tool (G) in the Tools panel, and drag across the shape from left to right to position the gradient like you see in the figure.

Tip: You can also edit the gradient colors directly on the artwork with the Gradient tool selected.

Step 10Now, you will add strokes for fur! The most fun part of vectoring dogs.

Create a new layer above the “face” layer in the Layers panel and rename it fur. Select the Paintbrush Tool (B) in the Tools panel and then make sure the following options are set:

• Brush Definition: choose Tapered - Stroke• Stroke weight: 1 pt• Variable Width Profile : choose Width Profile 1• Opacity: 100%• Blending mode: Normal• Stroke color: The swatch in the “dog” color group with the values “C=80, M=70, Y=59, K=72” (an arrow is pointing to it in

the figure)

Draw paths for the fur, noting the direction of the fur in the original photo of the dog. Select all of the paths you drew and group them by pressing Cmd+G (Mac OS) or Ctrl+G (Windows).

TIP: You can also rename each group in the Layers panel according to the properties applied or other. You will see in a later step that I renamed them.

Step 9Next, draw a shape for the white part of the body using the Paintbrush tool and the same brush settings and method from step 6. You can be as detailed as you like. Make sure that it’s filled with white.

Draw another shape for the white part of the lower jaw. Apply the White, Black linear gradient to the fill, and change the black color values to the swatch in the “dog” group, with the values “C=2, M=1, Y=3, K=0.” Make sure that the opacity for the white color of the gradient has an opacity of 0%. Adjust the gradient using the Gradient tool or the values in the Gradient panel like you see in the figure.

With the second shape selected, change the blending mode to Screen and the opacity to 30% in the Control panel.

Step 12Next you will layer other strokes on top to make a third color of fur. Making sure nothing is selected, and with the Paintbrush tool still selected, change the following options:

• Stroke color: choose the color swatch in the “dog” color group with the values “C=12, M=8, Y=13, K=0”• Blending mode: Screen• Opacity: 10%

Draw the strokes like you see in the following figure. Select all of the paths you just drew and group them together.

Step 11Now you will layer other strokes on top to make the darkest part of the face. With the Paintbrush tool selected and the Tapered - Stroke brush still selected, set the following options:

• Stroke weight: 0.75 pt• Variable Width Profile : choose Width Profile 1• Stroke color: change the values to C=70, M=70, Y=70, K=100• Blending mode: Multiply• Opacity: 30%

Draw the paths like you see in the figure, and then group them together.

Tip: Going forward, you will want to group the fur you create in each section to make it easier to select it later.

Making sure nothing is selected, and with the Paintbrush tool still selected, change the following options:

• Stroke Weight: 0.75 pt• Stroke color: choose the brown color swatch in the “dog” color group with the values “C=27, M=37, Y=56, K=2”• Opacity: 40%

Draw the fur like you see in the following figure. Select all of the paths you just drew and group them together.

Step 13Next we’ll add brown colored fur, layering it on top of the existing fur. Making sure nothing is selected, and with the Paintbrush tool still selected, change the following options:

• Stroke Weight: 2 pt• Stroke color: choose the brown color swatch in the “dog” color group with the values “C=49, M=57, Y=71, K=34”• Opacity: 50%

Draw the fur like you see in the original. Select all of the paths you just drew and group them together.

Making sure nothing is selected, and with the Paintbrush tool still selected, change the following options:

• Stroke color: choose the brown color swatch in the “dog” color group with the values “C=31, M=39, Y=67, K=4”• Opacity: 50%

Draw the fur like you see in the following figure. Select all of the paths you just drew and group them together.

Step 14Continue adding more fur to give depth to the illustration and to make the fur look smoother.

Change the stroke color to the swatch with the color values: “C=73, M=65, Y=57, K=52,” change the blending mode to Normal, and change the opacity to 80%. Draw the fur like you see in the following figure. Select all of the paths you just drew and group them together.

Change the stroke color to the values “C=50, M=30, Y=30, K=90” (there is no swatch with these values). Change the blending mode to Multiply and the opacity to 50%. Draw the fur like you see in the following figure. Select the paths you just drew and group them together.

For the following small area, change the color to “C=90, M=80, Y=80, K=90” (there is no swatch with these values), change the blending mode to Normal and the opacity to 90%. Draw the small bit of fur. Select all of the paths you just drew and group them together.

Step 15Now you’ll add white colored fur to the lower part of the jaw.

• Stroke Weight: 1 pt• Blending mode: Screen• Stroke color: choose the brown color swatch in the “dog” color group with the values “C=2, M=1, Y=3, K=0”

Draw the fur around the bottom part of the jaw (see the first part of the following figure).

Create a second set of paths (see the second part of the following figure), making sure that the stroke weight is set to 0.75 pt, with the same stroke color. Change the blending mode to Screen and the opacity to 60% for the new shapes.

Next, you’ll add some lighter yellow touches to the fur. Change the stroke color to “C=10, M=20, Y=70, K=0” (there is no swatch with these values), change the blending mode to Screen, and the opacity to 40%.

Draw the fur like you see in the following figure, then group them together.

For the following small area, change the stroke color to “C=10, M=8, Y=70, K=0” (there is no swatch with these values), change the blending mode to Color Dodge, and the opacity to 50%.

Draw the fur like you see in the figure. Select the paths you just drew and group them together.

Step 16Now you will create a patch of white color fur on the small part of the forehead.

Change the stroke weight to 3 pt, and the stroke color to C=11, M=4, Y=5, K=0. Draw a small patch of fur like you see in the original photo. Deselect those paths.

Change the stroke weight to 1 pt, the stroke color to C=0, M=1, Y=6, K=0, the blending mode to Screen, and the opacity to 60%. Draw finer lines on top of the small patch of fur you just created. Select all of the paths that make up the small white patch and group them together.

Step 17Now you’ll add some fur to the body by layering paths.

Create a New Layer below the “fur” layer in the Layers panel and rename it body fur. Make sure the “body fur” layers is selected in the Layers panel. Note, we changed the color of the layer in the Layers panel to more easily see the artwork.

Note: For the following step, you may want to refer back to the reference photo on the “ref” layer to see the direction of the fur.

Make sure the stroke weight is set to 2 pt, change the stroke color to “C=80, M=70, Y=59, K=72,” change the blending mode to Normal, and change the opacity to 100%. Draw the fur like in the following figure, and then select that fur and group it together.

Here’s what the Layers panel should look like at this point.

Step 18Now you’ll add more fur to the body using different settings. Change the following options:

• Stroke weight: 1 pt • Stroke color: change the color values to “C=70, M=70, Y=70, K=90”• Blending mode: Multiply • Opacity: 60%.

Make sure the “body fur” layers is still selected in the Layers panel. Draw paths like you see in the first part of the following figure, making sure you follow the direction of the fur in the original photo. Select them all, and then group them.

Now you’ll add some paths to create a highlight on the back of the dog. Change the following options:

• Stroke color: choose the swatch from the “dog” group with the values: “C=12, M=8, Y=13, K=0”• Blending mode: Screen • Opacity: 10%.

Draw paths like you see in the second part of the following figure, then select them all and group them.

Step 19Now you’ll add more fur to the body. With the Paintbrush tool selected, change the following options:

• Stroke color: choose the swatch from the “dog” group with the values: “C=27, M=37, Y=56, K=2” • Blending mode: Multiply • Opacity: 60%.

Draw the fur like in the first part of the following figure, and then select and group them. Deselect the grouped fur.

Change the stroke color values to “C=0, M=1, Y=15, K=0” and the opacity to 100%, leaving the rest of the settings as they were. Draw the fur like you see in the second part of the following figure and group the resulting paths together.

Step 20Next, you’ll add some lighter fur to the body to make the white part of the body look smoother and give it further depth. Change the following options (leaving the others as they are):

• Color: choose the swatch from the “dog” group with the values: “C=12, M=8, Y=13, K=0”• Opacity: 60%

Using the Paintbrush tool, draw the paths like you see in the first part of the figure, then group all of those paths together, and then deselect the group.

Change the stroke color to the swatch with the color values of “C=2, M=1, Y=3, K=0,” and an opacity of 10%. After changing those options, draw the paths like in the second part of the following figure. Don’t forget to group those paths together.

Step 21At this point, you’ll add some paths to small areas, creating further depth. With the Paintbrush tool selected, change the following options:

• Stroke weight: 1 pt• Color: C=50, M=30, Y=30, K=90• Opacity: 100%• Blending mode: Normal

Add some strokes to make further depth like you see in the first part of the following figure. Select and group the paths, then deselect them.

Change the stroke weight to 0.75 pt, the stroke color values to “C=22, M=24, Y=40, K=0,” and the blending mode to Multiply. Create paths to make the edge of the face look smoother, and then group them together.

Step 22Next, you’ll add three different groups of paths to the left ear to add some fur.

Create a new layer above the “left ear” layer and rename it left ear fur in the Layers panel. We changed the color of the layer to magenta so it was more easy to see.

With the Paintbrush tool selected, change the blending mode to Screen, the opacity to 30% and the stroke color to “C=10, M=20, Y=70, K=0” and draw paths on the ear, like you see in the following figure. Select and group the paths, making sure to deselect when done.

Change the blending mode to Normal, the opacity to 70% and the stroke color to “C=80, M=70, Y=59, K=72” and draw more paths on the ear, like you see in the following figure. Select and group the paths, making sure to deselect when done.

Change the blending mode to Multiply, the opacity to 40% and the stroke color to “C=90, M=80, Y=80, K=80” (not an existing swatch) and draw more paths on the ear, like you see in the following figure. Select and group the paths, making sure to deselect when done.

Step 23Now you’ll focus on adding shapes and details to the nose.

Create a new layer above the “face” layer and change the name to nose in the Layers panel. Once again, we changed the color of the layer in the Layers panel to make it easier to see the shapes.

With the “nose” layer selected, using the Pen tool (P), draw a shape for adding highlight to the nose (see the figure). With the shape still selected, apply a radial gradient fill with two colors. Make sure that the values for both colors is “C=90, M=80, Y=80, K=80.” Also, make sure the second color has an opacity of 0%. I also selected the Gradient tool in the Tools panel and adjusted the gradient, like you see in the following figure.

With the shape selected, change the blending mode to Screen and the opacity to 40%.

Step 24Select the Ellipse tool (L) in the Tools panel and create a circle off the right side of the face. Apply a two color radial gradient to the fill of the circle. Make sure the color values for each color in the gradient are “C=2, M=1, Y=3, K=0” (a swatch in the “dog” color group) and that the first color has an opacity of 0%. Take a look at the following figure for how the gradient was adjusted using the Gradient tool (or by typing in the settings in the Gradient panel). Change the blending mode to Overlay and the opacity 15%.

You may need to resize the shape to be smaller (see the figure). Drag it on the top of the nose and make a series of copies by Option-dragging (Mac OS) or Alt-dragging (Windows) to create copies. Make sure that the shapes are grouped before going forward.

Tip: You can also create one of the shapes an. An even better way may be to save one of the shapes as a symbol, then spray the copies onto the artboard using the Symbol Sprayer tool. Unfortunately this method is outside of the scope of this article.

Step 25Make sure that the “nose” layer is selected in the Layers panel.

Using the Pen tool (P), draw a series of shapes for adding shading to the nose (see the following figures). Apply a radial gradient fill to each shape making sure to choose the swatch in the “dog” color group with the color values of “C=0, M=6, Y=6, K=0.” Make sure that second color in the gradients has an opacity of 0%. Set the overall opacity for each shape to 15%.

Select all of the shapes and group them together.

Step 26With the “nose” layer still selected, draw another shape for the nose with the Pen tool (P), like you see in the next figure. This adds further dark shading inside the nose.

Apply a radial gradient fill with both colors in the gradient set to “C=65, M=80, Y=85, K=90” (there isn’t an existing swatch with those values). Make sure the second color in the gradient has an opacity of 0%. Adjust the gradient either using the Gradient tool or the Gradient panel, like you see in the following figure.

Step 27Next you’ll add some shading to the lip.

Create a new layer below the “nose” layer in the Layers panel, and rename it lip. Make sure the new layer is selected.

First, draw a shape for adding highlight with Pen Tool (P), like you see in the figure. Then, apply a two color radial gradient fill with both color values being “C=0, M=6, Y=6, K=0,” and the second color having an opacity of 0%. Set the overall opacity of the shape to 30%.

Step 28Now you’ll add a bit of texture to the lip. Make sure the layer named “lip” is still selected in the Layers panel.

Select the Ellipse tool (L) in the Tools panel and create several round shapes to add textures to the lip. Once again, it may be best to create one, then duplicate the original shape. Apply a two color radial gradient fill with both colors having the value of the swatch in the “dog” color group with the values: “C=2, M=1, Y=3, K=0” and the second color in the gradient having an opacity of 0%. Scale and adjust the gradient either using the Gradient tool or the options in the Gradient panel, to achieve the effect like you see in the following figure.

Make sure to group the shapes after you’re done.

Create several round shapes with Ellipse tool (L) on top of the previous shapes. Make these new ones a bit larger. Apply a radial gradient with both color values set to “C=8, M=70, Y=45, K=0” (not a color swatch) and the second color having an opacity of 0%. See the figure for gradient adjustment.

Select the shapes and change the blending mode to Color Burn and the opacity to 100%, then group them together.

Step 29For the next several steps, you will concentrate on creating the eyes. The eyes will be composed of many shapes layered on top of each other to give the allusion of depth. For each of the shapes, refer to the following figure for any gradient adjustments that may be necessary.

In the Layers panel, create a new layer above the layer named “fur,” and rename it eyes. Once again, I changed the color of the layer.

Using the Pen tool, create a single shape that covers each eye. Change the color fill of both shapes to match the values “C=80, M=80, Y=80, K=90.” Change the opacity to 40%.

Step 30With the “eyes” layer still selected in the Layers panel, create a shape for the iris using Ellipse tool (L) (or Pen tool). I always refer back to the original reference layer (called “ref”) for creating the iris. Note: I hid the previous eye shapes temporarily.

Adjust the shape with the Direct Selection tool (A), if needed. Fill it with a color of “C=0, M=42, Y=100, K=40,” make sure there is no stroke, and set the opacity to 30%. Repeat the process for the other eye as well.

Step 31For the next series of steps, you will be asked to repeat the step for each of the eyes.

Copy the iris shape and paste it in front (Cmd+F-Mac OS, or Ctrl+F-Windows). Apply a radial gradient fill to the copy, with the first color value being “C=90, M=80, Y=80, K=90” and the second being “C=30, M=35, Y=60, K=5.” Change the blending mode to Color Burn and the opacity to 40%. Repeat the process for the other eye as well.

Step 32Select the top eye shape from the larger eye, and copy it. Press Cmd+F (Mac OS) or Crtl+F (Windows) to paste the shape in front again. Change the blending mode to Multiply and the opacity to 100%. Select the Gradient tool (G) and adjust the centre of the gradient and the shape as shown in the following figure.

Repeat the process for the other eye as well, using the second part of the following figure as a guide.

Step 33Now you’ll add a shape to each eye, to brighten up the around the pupils and add the color of orange.

Select the top eye shape from the larger eye, and copy it. Press Cmd+F (Mac OS) or Ctrl+F (Windows) to paste the shape in front.

Apply a radial gradient fill and make sure that each color in the gradient has a value of “C=0, M=42, Y=100, K=20”, and that the first (center) color has an opacity of 0%. Adjust the gradient fill with the Gradient tool or the settings in the Gradient panel, using the following figure as a guide. Change the blending mode to Screen and the opacity to 60%.

Repeat the process for the other eye as well.

Step 34Select the top eye shape from the larger eye, and copy it (again). Press Cmd+F (Mac OS) or Ctrl+F (Windows) to paste the shape in front of the other eye shapes.

Apply a radial gradient with both color values set to: “C=80, M=65, Y=60, K=55,” making sure that the outside (second color) has an opacity of 0%. and adjust the gradient using the Gradient tool or settings in the Gradient panel. Set the blending mode to Color Burn and the opacity to 80%. This darkens the edge of the pupils. I also made the shape a little smaller, as you will see in the next set of figures.

Repeat the process for the other eye as well.

Step 35Now you’ll add some shine to the eyes like you can see in the reference photo. The following step has reference numbers that correspond to the numbers in the following figure.

• Draw the first shape (labeled 1) and apply a radial gradient fill both with color values of “C=0, M=6, Y=6, K=0.” Make sure the second color in the gradient (that’s on the perimeter of the shape) has an opacity of 0%.

• Create the next series of shapes (labeled 2, 3, and 4 in the figure), and apply the same radial gradient fills to each as the first shape, just making sure that the gradient is inverted (the colors are swapped).

• For the final shape (labeled 5) on the left (smaller) eye, change the fill to the color values “C=0, M=6, Y=6, K=0.”

Step 36For the final step for the eyes, you’ll add shapes for the white part of the right eye (only).

With the Pen tool (P), draw two crescent shapes on either side of the eye. Apply a radial gradient fill with both colors having the values of “C=0, M=6, Y=6, K=0.” Make sure the second color in the gradient (that will appear on the outside of the shape) has an opacity of 50% or so (feel free to experiment). Adjust the position of the gradient with the Gradient tool (G), if necessary.

1

3

2

4

5

Step 37Now you’ll add a clipping mask to each eye to contain the detail you’ve added so far.

For each eye, copy the initial eye shape you created in step 29, and paste it in front. You may need to open the Layers panel and select the shape for each eye in there. With the Selection tool, select all the shapes for the left eye and group them. Do the same for the shapes of the right eye.

Select the group for the left eye and click the Locate Object button at the bottom of the Layers panel to reveal the group in the layer named “eyes.” Click to select the group in the Layers panel (if it’s not already selected), and click the Make/Release Clipping Mask button at the bottom of the Layers panel to create a clipping mask from the top object in the group.

Repeat the same steps for the right eye group.

Step 38Create a new layer above the layer named “eyes” in the Layers panel and rename it thick hair.

With the Pen tool, draw small eyebrows for each of the eyes. These will appear beneath the eyelashes you see in the following figure. Make sure to apply the color fill with values of “C=90, M=80, Y=80, K=80.” Also, change the blending mode to Screen and the opacity to 30%.

Select the Paintbrush Tool (B) in the Tools panel, and set the following options:

• Stroke weight: 0.75 pt• Color: C=70, M=70, Y=70, K=90• Opacity: 100%• Blending mode: Normal• Variable Width Profile: Width Profile 5

Draw each of the eyelashes and then group them together.

Step 38Making sure that the “thick hair” layer is selected, change the stroke weight in the Control panel to 1.5 pt and draw each of the paths for the whiskers. When finished, group the paths together, and deselect.

Step 39Continuing on the “thick hair” layer, change the stroke weight in the Control panel to 0.75 pt, and draw strokes for the eyebrows and cheek. Group them when finished, and deselect.

Step 40Change the stroke color to “C=70, M=70, Y=70, K=90,“ and the Variable Width Profile to Width Profile 1. Add more paths to the edge of the whole face and body. Once done, Group them and then deselect the group.

Step 41Next, you’ll add shadow area to the background using the Mesh tool.

In the Layers panel, turn on the visibility for the “bg” layer and turn the visibility off for the rest of the layers. Select the rectangle shape that appears. Fill it with a light brown color (see the figure).

Select the Mesh Tool (U) in the Tools panel, add click to add an initial mesh point to the shape. Looking at the following figure, click roughly where you see the red circle in the figure. Add a few more point to the right of the original on the same line that is created (indicated by the blue circles in the figure). This creates anchor points that can each have a different color applied, and that can be adjusted with the Direction Selection tool (or other).

With the Mesh tool, click beneath the original points you created to create another path (in the figure, indicated by the green circle).

Deselect the shape. Select the Direct Selection tool in the Tools panel, and click each of the initial points you created (the red and blue circles) and apply a dark color to each. Drag each of the anchor points to match the next figure. You may need to deselect first.

Tip: If you click an anchor point, you will see the direction lines that appear. You can adjust the curve of the paths by dragging those direction lines. This can give you smoother gradients.

With the Direct Selection tool, select the points along the top edge of the shape and apply a color fill of white. Also, click on the point on the right edge of the shape and apply white. Try and match the next figure as best as you can. The idea is to follow the contour of the dog as closely as possible, so you may need to show and hide the “face” and “body” layer as you edit the mesh, to see.

Note: For more information on working with the Mesh tool in Illustrator, check out the following Help section: http://help.adobe.com/en_US/illustrator/cs/using/WSCE9DB411-38B8-40c6-9CF4-559875C7DFD4.html

Step 43With the “highlight & shadow” layer still selected, draw a circle with the Ellipse tool, as shown in the next figure. Apply a radial gradient fill with two colors that have the same values: “C=80, M=65, Y=60, K=55.” Change the blending mode to Multiply and the opacity to 25%. Deselect the circle.

Step 42For the next few steps, you’ll add some finishing touches.

Create a new layer above the “thick hair “ layer in the Layers panel and rename it highlight & shadow. Select the Ellipse tool (L) in the Tools panel and draw a larger circle over the face and right side of the artboard (see the following figure). Apply a radial gradient fill with both color values of “C=11,M=4, Y=5, K=0.” Make sure the right gradient color (on the edge of the circle shape) has an opacity of 0%.

Select the layer named “body” in the Layers panel and draw a smaller circle over the dog’s back and apply the same radial gradient to it.

Final Image....Hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial and you’ve found something new and useful in it! Good luck.

Step 44Create a new layer above the “highlight & shadow” layer in the Layers panel and rename it highlight hair.

Before creating the final touch ups for the dog, set the following options:

• Stroke weight: 0.75 pt• Color: choose the swatch in the “dog” group with the color values: “C=2, M=1, Y=3, K=0”• Opacity: 40%• Blending mode: Color Dodge

Using the Paintbrush tool (B), add strokes around the top of the face and the ears, and group the paths once you are done.