In the following steps, you will learn how to create a unique illustration of a grand castle surrounded by green mountains using Adobe Illustrator. To do this, you will start with basic shapes, simple vector shape building techniques like the Transform effects, the Pathfinder palette and the Blend options. With these, you will easily create the shapes that you need. The Clipping Mask also plays an important role in this tutorial along plus some other simple effects. So let’s begin!
Open a New Document
1. Launch Illustrator and then press Ctrl + N to create a New document. Select Pixels from the Units drop-down menu, enter 720 in the width box and 980 in the height box then click on the Advanced button. Select RGB, Screen (72ppi) and make sure that the Align New Objects to Pixel Grid box is unchecked before you click OK.
Create the Background
2. Start with drawing a 722 by 980px rectangle using the Rectangle Tool (M). Next fill this rectangle with the radial gradient as shown in the second image.
3. Pick the Ellipse Tool (L) and create a 750 by 580px ellipse then place it in position like you see in the image below. Make sure that the ellipse is still selected and go to Object > Transform > Transform Each. Enter the data as shown in the second image and click Copy. Replace the existing stroke color of the copy with blue. Keep it selected and go to the Object > Transform > Scale. In the Scale dialog box, check the Non-Uniform, enter a 102 in the Horizontal box and enter a 105 in the Vertical box then click Copy.
Create the Curtain Wall
4. With the Pen Tool (P), create a red object like you see in the image below. Once drawn, reselect the smaller blue ellipse and remove it.
5. Before you continue, select the red object created in step 4 and hide it (Ctrl +3). Pick Add Anchor Point Tool (+) and click on the points highlighted in red. Reselect the newly created anchor points and click on the “Cut Path at Selected Anchor Points” button from the Properties bar. This make the two blue ellipses become curved paths. Select the two longer paths and remove them. Now reselect the two remaining curved paths and go to Object > Blend > Blend Options. Follow the data shown in the third image and click OK then go to Object > Blend > Make (Ctrl +Alt +B). Keep the blended object selected and go to Object > Expand. Click OK when the Expand dialog box appear and then press Ctrl +Shift +G to ungroup the resulting group. Finally select a blue curved path like you see in the fourth image, duplicate it by pressing Ctrl+C, Ctrl +F and then replace the existing stroke color of the copy with magenta.
6. With the Line Segment Tool (\), create two red straight paths. Once paths are drawn, reselect them and go to Object > Blend > Blend Options. Follow the data as shown in the second image and click OK then go to Object > Blend > Make (Ctrl +Alt +B). Keep the blended object selected, hold Shift and click the magenta curved path created in step 5 then go to the Object > Blend > Replace Spine. The result should look like the third image below. Make sure that the blended object is still selected and go to Object > Expand. Click OK when the Expand dialog box appear and then press Ctrl +Shift +G to ungroup the resulting group.
7. Select all paths created from step 5 then open the Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder) and click on the Divide button. Next add 1px red stroke for the resulting group and then press Ctrl +Shift +G to ungroup it. Finally select some newly created objects like you see in the third image and remove them.
8. Select two red objects as shown below and then click on the Unite button from the Pathfinder palette. Follow the sequence of images and repeat the same process as the previous step to create more objects similar to the ones from below. In the end your new objects should look like the final image shown.
9. Select all the red objects created in step 8 and fill them with R=198, G=210, B=205. Add 1.5px stroke (R=166, G=143, B=144) then apply Width Profile 2 for these newly created shapes. To give the curtain wall a more irregular look, replace the existing color of some stones with different colors like you see in the second image below. Once you are done replacing the stone colors, reselect all of them and press Ctrl +G to group them.
10. Before you continue, press (Ctrl +Alt +3) to show the red object hidden in step 5 and then bring it to front (Ctrl +Shift +Right Square Bracket). Make sure that the red object is still selected, hold down Shift and click the group created in step 9 then go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7). Keep the clipping set selected and go to Object > Transform > Reflect. Set the Axis to Vertical and then click Copy. Drag the copy we have just created to the right. Don’t forget to hold the Shift key on the keyboard for straight dragging.
Create the Gatehouse
11. Pick the Ellipse Tool (L) and create an 116 by 145px ellipse then place this ellipse to the position as shown below. While the ellipse is selected, go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -9px Offset and click OK. Keep the resulting ellipse selected and open the Offset Path dialog box again. Enter a -9px Offset and click OK. Now pick the Add Anchor Point Tool (+) and click on the two points highlighted with red of the medium ellipse. Next reselect two newly created anchor points and click on the “Cut Path at Selected Anchor Points” button from the Properties bar. These procedure will make the medium ellipse become two curved paths. Select the longer path and remove it.
12. With the Line Segment Tool (\), create two blue straight paths as shown below. Once your paths are drawn, reselect them and go to Object > Blend > Blend Options. Follow the data as shown in the second image and click OK then go to Object > Blend > Make (Ctrl +Alt +B). Keep the blended object selected, hold Shift and click on the red curved path created in step 11 then go to Object > Blend > Replace Spine. The result should look like the third image below. Make sure that the blended object is still selected and go to Object > Expand. Click OK when the Expand dialog box appear. Having the resulting group selected and go to Object > Transform > Reflect. Set the Axis to Vertical and then click Copy. Drag the copy we have just created to the right. Don’t forget to hold Shift key on the keyboard for straight dragging. Now reselect the two newly created groups and then press Ctrl +Shift +G to ungroup them. Finally select the top blue path and remove it.
13. Before you continue, select the two red ellipses and copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) of them then hide these copies (Ctrl + 3). Now reselect the two red original ellipses again; open the Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder) and click on the Minus Back button. Keep the resulting object selected, hold down Shift and click all blue paths then click on Divide button from the Pathfinder palette. Next ungroup (Ctrl +Shift +G) the resulting group and then remove objects like you see in the third image below. You should end up with something like the final image below.
14. Fill all red objects created in step 13 with R=211, G=215, B=195 and add 1px stroke (R=166, G=143, B=144) then apply the Width Profile 2 for the resulting shapes. Repeat the same process in step 9 to replace the existing stone colors with a different one like you see in the second image below.
15. Press Ctrl +Alt +3 to show two red ellipses hidden in step 13. Copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) these ellipses and then hide them. Of the two original ellipses, select four anchor points highlighted with blue and click the “Cut Path at Selected Anchor Points” button from the Properties bar. This make two ellipses become four curved paths. Select and remove the two lower paths. Next select the longer path and add 1px stroke (R=209, G=211, B=212) then apply the Width Profile 3 for the resulting path. Finally select the remaining path and add 1px stroke (R=88, G=89, B=91).
16. Before you continue, press Ctrl +Alt +3 to show two red ellipses hidden in step 15. Select the smaller ellipse and make a copy then press Ctrl +3 to hide the copy. Reselect the smaller original ellipse again and go to Object > Transform > Scale. Check Uniform and enter 124 in the Scale box then click OK. Select both ellipses and click Exclude button from the Pathfinder palette then fill the resulting object with R=0, G=0, B=0. Having the new shape selected, go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 3px Radius and click OK. Finally hide the resulting shape behind the stones of the gatehouse.
17. We are now ready to create the Portcullis or that strong gate above the castle entrance; usually used to keep the enemies out. For this, draw eleven vertical paths and six horizontal paths as shown below. Once drawn, select all vertical paths and add 3px stroke (apply the linear gradient within stroke) and apply Width Profile 3 for the resulting paths. Next select all horizontal paths and add 3px stroke (apply the linear gradient within stroke) then apply Width Profile 3 for the resulting paths. Now select and group (Ctrl +G) all created paths. Before you continue, press Ctrl +Alt +3 to show the red ellipse hidden in step 16 and then bring it to front (Ctrl +Shift +Right Square Bracket). Make sure that this ellipse is still selected, hold Shift and click the group created in this step. Go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7).
18. At this point, let’s draw the gates. With the Pen Tool (P), create two objects and fill them with radial gradient. Hide these gates behind the stones of the gatehouse and create two gate handles like you see in the fourth image. At this point, your artwork should look like in the final image.
Create the Watchtower
19. Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and create two rectangles with dimensions: 94 by 41px and 18 by 19px. Make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) of the black rectangle and then place these black rectangles in position like you see in the second image. Next pick the Rounded Rectangle Tool, simply click the artboard and enter the data as shown in the third image then click OK. Select the rounded rectangle and go to Object > Transform > Move. Enter 24 in the Horizontal box and click Copy then press Ctrl +D once. Next place these rounded rectangles to the positions like you see in the fourth image. Now select all objects created in this step. Open the Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder) and click the Minus Front button then create a 72 by 208px rectangle using the Rectangle Tool (M). Place it to the correct position as shown in the final image then hide it behind the blue object.
20. Using the Line Segment Tool (\), create a vertical line with 50px length, a 1px green stroke and no fill. Reselect this line and go to Object > Transform > Move. Enter 12 in the Horizontal box and click Copy then press Ctrl +D five times to get the results as shown below. With the Pen Tool (P), create a curved path like you see in the second image. Once your path is drawn, reselect it and go to Object > Transform > Move. Enter 11 in the Vertical box and click Copy then press Ctrl +D once to get the results as shown in the third image below. Now select all objects created in this step. Open the Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder) and click the Divide button. Press Ctrl +Shift +G to ungroup the newly created group. Next fill the newly created objects with R=198, G=210, B=205 and add 1px stroke (R=166, G=143, B=144) then apply the Width Profile 2 for the resulting shapes.
21. Select two shapes like you see in the first image and then click the Unite button from the Pathfinder palette. Likewise, follow the sequence of images and repeat the process as the previous step for the remaining shapes. In the end, your shapes should look like the final image shown.
22. Select all shapes created in step 21 and copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) them then move these copies down in positions as shown in the second image. Repeat this till you have a stone wall like you see in the third image. To give this stone wall a more irregular look, replace the existing stone colors with different colors like you see in the final image below. After you are done replacing the color of the stones, reselect all of them and press Ctrl +G to group them then name this group “Wall_01”. Make sure that the group “Wall_01” is still selected and go to Object > Transform > Scale. Check Non-Uniform and enter 132 in the Horizontal box. Enter 60 in the Vertical box then click Copy. Finally name the newly created group “Wall_02”.
23. Make a copy of the group “Wall_01” and place this copy to the correct position as shown below, then hide it behind the red object. Having this group selected, hold down the Shift and click on the red rectangle, then go to the Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7). It’s time to create the battlement for watchtower. Before you continue, select the blue object created in the step 19 and make a copy of it. Now make a copy of the group “Wall_02” and place this copy to the correct position like you see in the fourth image, then hide it behind the blue object. Having this group selected, hold down the Shift and click on a blue rectangle, then go to the Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7).
24. Select the remaining blue object and bring it to front (Ctrl +Shift +Right Square Bracket) then fill it with the linear gradient as shown below. Set the Blending Mode of this shape to Multiply and reduce the Opacity to 50%. Copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) the shape then remove all existing appearances of this copy and replace the existing color with R=0, G=0, B=0. Keep this shape selected and go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Follow the data you see in the second image and click OK. Reselect the shape with shadow effect; press Ctrl +X to cut it. Pick Selection Tool (V) and double-click on the first clipping set created in step 23. Press Ctrl +F to paste the shape cut in this step. Finally, double-click anywhere outside of the clipping set. Your watchtower should look like the one in the final image.
25. The castle will not be complete without the corbels of the watchtower. First create some objects using the Pen Tool (P). Once drawn, select the red objects and fill them with R=138, G=139, B=129. Next select the blue objects and fill them with R=193, G=195, B=179. Continue working with the Pen Tool (P) to create a red object like you see in the third image. Fill this object with linear gradient. Set the Blending Mode of the newly created shape to Multiply and reduce the Opacity to 50%; hide it behind the first shape created in step 24. Finally select and group (Ctrl + G) all shapes created from step 19 to this time then name this group “Watchtower”.
Create the Square Tower
26. Select the group “Watchtower” and go to Object > Transform > Scale. Check Uniform and enter 62 in the Scale box then click Copy. Before you continue, place the newly created group to other position and then ungroup it. Keep working with the Selection Tool (V) and double-click the clipping set. Now pick the Direct Selection Tool (A) and select two bottom anchor points of the clipping path; move them 290px down. With the Selection Tool (V), select the group contained in this clipping set and make two copies (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F, Ctrl +F). Move these two copies down in positions like you see in the seventh and the eighth image. Double-click anywhere outside the clipping set. Finally select the shape and replace the existing color with new linear gradient.
27. Arrow slits of our tower will be next for this step. Start by drawing a 10 by 28px rectangle using the Rectangle Tool (M). Pick the Add Anchor Point Tool (+) and add an anchor point highlighted with red then move this anchor point 7px up. Reselect the blue object and fill it with R=46, G=0, B=0 then remove the stroke. Now make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) of the newly created shape then remove the fill color of the copy and add 2px stroke (apply linear gradient within stroke). With the Line Segment Tool (\), create a red horizontal line and add 2px stroke (apply linear gradient within stroke). Reselect the last two objects created and go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Follow the data like you see in the next to last image and click OK. We are done with the arrow slit for the moment. Reselect all objects created in this step and group (Ctrl +G) them then name this group “Arrowslit_01”. Finally make five copies of the group “Arrowslit_01” and then place six groups in positions shown in the final image.
28. With the Pen Tool (P), create a shape (R=52, G=140, B=208). Keep working with the Pen Tool (P) to create a red object. Once drawn, fill it with the linear gradient and then apply a 5px Gaussian Blur effect for the resulting shape. Now select the first shape created and copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) it. Bring the copy to front (Ctrl +Shift +Right Square Bracket). Keep the shape selected; hold Shift and click on the shape with blur effect then go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7).
29. It’s time to draw the flag. Using the Line Segment Tool (\), create a vertical line and place it in position shown below. Add this line a 2px stroke (apply linear gradient within stroke) and apply the Width Profile 4 for the resulting line. Now pick the Pen Tool (P) and create two objects like you see in the third and the fourth image. Once your objects are drawn, fill them with the linear gradient. Next select and group (Ctrl + G) all objects created from step 28 then send it to back (Ctrl +Shift +Left Square Bracket). We are done with the square tower for the moment. Reselect all objects created from step 26 and group (Ctrl +G) them then name this group “Square_Tower”.
Create the Keep
30. Pick the Rectangle Tool (M), create four rectangles and place them in correct positions shown below. Now reselect the group “Wall_01” and go to Object > Transform > Scale. Check Uniform, enter 62 in the Scale box and click Copy then place the copy to new position. Pick the Selection Tool (V) and double-click on the newly created group. Next select some shapes like you see in the third image, copy them and move these copies down to the correct positions shown in the fourth image. Double-click anywhere outside of the group just edited. Reselect this group and go to Object > Transform > Scale. Check Non-Uniform, enter 315 in the Horizontal box and click OK. Name the resulting group “Wall_03”. Select “Wall_03” and go to Object > Transform > Scale. Check Non-Uniform, enter 50 in the Horizontal box and click Copy then place the copy to other position. Name the newly created group “Wall_04”.
31. Select the group “Wall_03” and place it in correct position as shown below then hide it behind the black rectangle. Keep this group selected, hold down Shift and click the black rectangle then go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7). Now make two copies (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F, Ctrl +F) of the group “Wall_04” and place a copy in position like you see in the fourth image then hide it behind the red object. Keep this group selected, hold Shift and click on the red rectangle then go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7). Next select the remaining copy of the group “Wall_04” and place it in position as shown in the seventh image below. Hide it behind the blue rectangle. Have this group selected, hold Shift and click the blue rectangle then go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7). Finally select the group “Wall_04” and place it in correct position as shown in the tenth image below then hide it behind the magenta rectangle. Keep this selected, hold Shift and click on the magenta rectangle then go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7).
32. With the Pen Tool (P), create four objects. Once drawn, reselect and fill them with the linear gradient like you see in the fifth image below. Now select the biggest shape created in this step and apply 12px Gaussian Blur effect for it then reduce its Opaciy to 70%. Next select the three remaining shapes and apply 5px Gaussian Blur effect for them then reduce their Opacity to 60%.
33. Select the biggest shape created in step 32 and press Ctrl +X to cut it. Then pick the Selection Tool (V), double click on the first clipping set created in step 31 and press Ctrl +F to paste the shape was cut in this step. Double-click on anywhere outside of the clipping set. Likewise, follow the sequence of images and repeat the same process as the previous steps for the three remaining shapes created in step 32. You should end up with something like the final image below.
34. We will continue with the battlement for the keep. Using the Line Segment Tool (\) create a vertical line with 36px length, 1px black stroke and no fill. Reselect this line and go to Object > Transform > Move. Enter 12 in the Horizontal box and click Copy then press Ctrl +D thirteen times to get the results as shown below. With the Pen Tool (P), create a curved path like you see in the second image. Once drawn, reselect it and go to Object > Transform > Move. Enter 5 in the Vertical box and click Copy. Press Ctrl +D once to get the results shown in the third image below. Now select all objects created in this step; open Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder) and click Divide button then press Ctrl +Shift +G to ungroup the newly created group. Next fill the newly created objects with R=211, G=215, B=195 and add a 1px stroke (R=166, G=143, B=144) then apply the Width Profile 2 for the resulting shapes.
35. Now, follow the sequence of images and repeat the process in step 21 and step 22 to get the results like you see in the final image. Finally reselect all shapes created in this step and group (Ctrl +G) them. Name this group “Wall_05”.
36. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and create a red object shown below. Before you continue, reselect the red object and copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) it then hide the copy (Ctrl +3). Now select the group “Wall_05”, copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) it and place the copy in position like you see in the second image then hide it behind the red object. Select “Wall_05”, hold Shift and click the red object created in this step then go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7).
37. Continue with Rectangle Tool (M) and create a red rectangle and place it in position as shown below. Fill this rectangle with the linear gradient like you see in the second image. Next apply a 12px Gaussian Blur effect for the resulting shape and then reduce its Opacity to 70%. Now reselect the rectangle with blur effect applied in this step and press Ctrl +X to cut it. Then pick the Selection Tool (V), double-click on the clipping set created in step 36 and press Ctrl +F to paste the rectangle was cut in this step. Finally, double-click on the anywhere outside of the clipping set.
38. Press Ctrl +Alt +3 to show the red object hidden in step 36. Keep this red object selected, fill it with R=60, G=57, B=55 and remove its stroke. Next go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Follow the data as shown in the second image and click OK. Now reselect the shape with shadow effect applied in this step and press Ctrl +X to cut it. Then pick the Selection Tool (V), double-click on the clipping set created in step 36 and press Ctrl +F to paste the shape was cut in this step. Finally, double-click on the anywhere outside of the clipping set.
39. Next come the corbels. First draw some red objects using the Pen Tool (P). Once drawn, fill them with R=138, G=139, B=129.
40. Select the clipping set created in step 36 and go to Object > Transform > Scale. Check Non-Uniform, enter a 55 in the Horizontal box and click Copy then move the copy up in position as shown below. With the Pen Tool (P), create a red object like you see in the second image. Once drawn, fill it with R=0, G=0, B=0 and then go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Follow the data as shown in the third image and click OK. Now reselect the shape with shadow effect applied in this step and press Ctrl +X to cut it. Pick the Selection Tool (V), double-click the clipping set created in this step and press Ctrl +F to paste the shape was cut in this step. Finally, double-click anywhere outside of the clipping set.
41. Next come the corbels. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and create some objects like in the first and the second image. Once your objects are drawn, reselect the red objects and fill them with R=138, G=139, B=129 then remove the stroke color. Next select the turquoise objects and fill them with R=193, G=195, B=179 then remove the stroke color.
42. It’s time to draw the second battlement for the keep. Select the group “Wall_05” created in step 35 and go to Object > Transform > Scale. Check Non-Uniform and enter 53 in the Horizontal box then click OK. Now pick the Pen Tool (P) and create a red object like you see in the third image. Before you continue, select the red object and copy it then hide this copy. Next reselect the group created in this step and place it to the position as shown in the fourth image then hide it behind the red object. Keep this group selected, hold down the Shift and click the red object created in this step then go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7).
43. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create a red rectangle and place it in position shown below. Fill this rectangle with the linear gradient like you see in the second image. Next apply 5px Gaussian Blur effect for the resulting shape and then reduce its Opacity to 60%. Now reselect the rectangle with blur effect applied in this step and press Ctrl +X to cut it. Pick the Selection Tool (V), double-click on the clipping set created in step 42 and press Ctrl +F to paste the rectangle was cut in this step. Finally, double-click on the anywhere outside of the clipping set.
44. Press Ctrl +Alt +3 to show the red object hidden in step 42. Still having this red object selected, fill it with R=60, G=57, B=55 and remove its stroke. Next go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Follow the data as shown in the second image and click OK. Now reselect the shape with shadow effect applied in this step and press Ctrl +X to cut it. Then pick the Selection Tool (V), double-click on the clipping set created in step 42 and press Ctrl +F to paste the shape was cut in this step. Next, double-click anywhere outside of the clipping set. Next come the corbels. Use the Pen Tool (P) to create six red objects like you see in the next to last image below. Once your objects are drawn, fill them with R=138, G=139, B=129 and then remove the stroke color of them.
45. Likewise, repeat the same process as the previous steps to create the upper part of the battlement. You should end up with something like the third image below.
46. We will continue with the arrow slits for the keep. Select the group “Arrowslit_01” created in step 27 and copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) it then place the copy to other position. Keep this copy selected and go to Object > Transform > Scale. Check Non-Uniform, enter 160 in the Horizontal box and enter a 125 in the Vertical box then click OK. Before you continue, reselect the newly created group and press Ctrl +Shift +G to ungroup it. Now select two white objects like you see in the third image and change the stroke weight of them to 3px then replace the existing stroke color with new linear gradient within stroke. To add some details, first create a vertical line and two horizontal lines using the Line Segment Tool (\) like in the fourth image. Once drawn, reselect them and add a 1px stroke (R=196, G=196, B=179). We are done with the arrow slit for the moment. Finally select and group (Ctrl+G) all objects created in this step then name it “Arrowslit_02”.
47. Next come the second arrow slit for the keep. Select the group “Arrowslit_02” created in step 46 and copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) it then place the copy to other position. Now pick the Direct Selection Tool (A), drag the mouse to the direction of the arrow to create a marquee as shown in the first image then press Down arrow key nine times. Next pick the Selection Tool (V) and select the group just edited then go to Object > Transform > Scale. Check Non Uniform, enter 85 in the Vertical box and click OK. We are done with the second arrow slit for the moment. Name it “Arrowslit_03”. The last thing to do is place the arrow slits in positions like you see in the final image.
48. With the Pen Tool (P), create an object as shown below and then fill this object with R=52, G=140, B=208. Keep working with the Pen Tool (P) to create a red object. Once drawn, fill it with the linear gradient and then apply a 5px Gaussian Blur effect for the resulting shape. Now select the first shape created in this step and copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) it; bring the copy to front (Ctrl +Shift +Right Square Bracket). Select the new shape, hold Shift and click the shape with blur effect applied in this step then go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7). Reselect the first shape created in this step again and copy it. Bring the copy to front. Make sure that this copy is still selected and go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Follow the data shown in the ninth image and click OK. Keep the shape with shadow effect selected, press Ctrl +X to cut it. Pick the Selection Tool (V), double-click on the clipping set created in this step and press Ctrl+F to paste the shape which was cut in this step. Finally, double-click anywhere outside the clipping set.
49. Next come the corbels. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and create some objects like you see in the first and the second image. Once drawn, reselect the red objects and fill them with R=144, G=140, B=130 then remove the stroke color. Next select the green objects and fill them with R=94, G=86, B=81 and remove the stroke color. Now select the flag created in step 29 and go to Object > Transform > Scale. Check Uniform, enter 160 in the Scale box and click Copy. Next place the newly created flag in position shown in the next to last image below. The keep is ready and looks like the final image below. Finally select and group (Ctrl +G) all objects created from step 30 then name this group “Keep”.
Create the Round Towers
50. Select the group “Keep” created in step 49 and copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) it. Place the copy to other position. Before you continue, reselect the newly created group and press Ctrl +Shift +G to ungroup it. Now select objects as shown in the first image and remove them. Next select all remaining objects and go to Object > Transform > Scale. Check Non Uniform and enter 72 in the Horizontal box then click OK. Focus on the fifth image, pick the Direct Selection Tool (A), drag the mouse to the direction of the magenta arrow to create a marquee; hold Shift and press the Down arrow key seven times.
51. Pick the Direct Selection Tool (A) and select two bottom anchor points of the clipping path as shown below. Move them 145px down. With the help of the Selection Tool (V), double-click the clipping set just edited. Select the group contained in this clipping set and move it down in position like you see in the fourth image. Next pick the Direct Selection Tool (A) and select two bottom anchor points of the shape with blur effect applied. Move them 140px down. Finally, double-click anywhere outside the clipping set.
52. Select all objects of the upper part of the battlement and remove them. Then reselect all objects of the remaining part of the battlement and move them 20px up. Pick the Selection Tool (V) and double-click the clipping set highlighted with red arrow. Select the black shape with shadow effect applied and move it 20px up. Next select two anchor points highlighted with yellow of the shape with blur effect applied and move them 20px up. Double-click anywhere outside the clipping set. Now focus on the eleventh image, pick the Direct Selection Tool (A) and select two anchor points highlighted with blue of the clipping path and move them 23px down. Finally select the top anchor point of the clipping path and move it 17px down. You should end up with something like the final image below.
53. Change the position and the size of the arrow slits like you see in the second image. To add some details, first draw two curved paths. Once drawn, reselect them and add 1px stroke (R=65, G=64, B=66), then apply Width Profile 1 for the resulting paths. We are done with the round tower for the moment. Finally select and group (Ctrl+ G) all objects created from step 50 then name this group “Round_Tower_01”.
54. Repeat the process as the previous steps to create another round tower and then name it “Round_Tower_02”. At this point we have the keep and the towers ready and it should look like the final image.
Arrange the Keep and the Towers.
55. Select the group “Watchtower” and go to Object > Transform > Rotate. Enter a -15 degrees Angle and click OK then place the resulting group to the position shown below. Having this group selected and go to Object > Transform > Reflect. Set the Axis to Vertical and then click Copy. Drag the copy we have just created to the left. Don’t forget to hold the Shift key on the keyboard for straight dragging. Next pick the Selection Tool (V) and double-click on the newly created group. Then select the shape like you see in the third image and replace the existing color with new linear gradient. Finally, double-click anywhere outside the group just edited.
56. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and create two red objects. Once drawn, fill them with R=0, G=0, B=0 then reduce its Opacity to 50% and apply a 10px Gaussian Blur effect for them. Now select the left shape with blur effect applied in this step and press Ctrl +X to cut it. Then pick the Selection Tool (V), double-click on the first clipping set created in step 10 and press Ctrl +F to paste the shape cut in this step. Finally, double-click anywhere outside the clipping set. Repeat the same techniques for the remaining shape. You should end up with something like the final image below.
57. Place the group “Keep” in position shown below and then hide it behind the curtain wall. Keep working with the Selection Tool (V), double-click on the group “Keep”then select the first clipping set created in step 31 and press Ctrl +C to copy. Next double-click on the anywhere outside of the clipping set and press Ctrl +F to paste the copy in front. Now focus on the fourth image, pick the Direct Selection Tool (A) and select the anchor point highlighted with yellow then click on the “Remove Selected Anchor Points” button from the Properties bar. Next select two anchor points highlighted with blue then open the Align palette (Window > Align) and click on the Horizontal Align Center button. Reselect the shape just edited and replace the existing color with new linear gradient like you see in the sixth image. Pick the Selection Tool (V), reselect the clipping set just edited and press Ctrl +X to cut it. Next , double-click on the clipping set created in step 17 (contain the portcullis) and press Ctrl +F to paste the clipping set cut in this step then hide this clipping set behind the portcullis. Finally, double-click anywhere outside the clipping set created in step 17.
58. Now, follow the sequence of images and rotate the remaining towers then place them in positions shown below. You should end up with something like the final image below.
Create a Green Grass Mountain
59. Select the black ellipse created in step 3; bring it to front then copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) it and hide this copy (Ctrl +3). Now reselect the black original ellipse then remove the stroke and fill it with the radial gradient. Make a copy of the resulting ellipse and then go to Effect > Texture > Grain. Follow the data in the second image and click OK. Go to Effect > Stylize > Feather and enter a 10px Radius and click OK.
60. Now we’ll create the road that leads to the castle. With the Pen Tool (P), create a shape (R=216, G=169, B=97) as shown below. Make a copy of the shape and then go to Effect > Texture > Texturizer. Follow the data like you see in the second image and click OK. Next apply a 10px Feather effect for the resulting shape. Make sure that the shape with feather effect applied in this step is still selected and go to Effect > Stylize > Inner Glow. Follow the data as shown in the final image and click OK.
61. Press Ctrl +Alt +3 to show the black ellipse hidden in step 59. With the Add Anchor Point Tool (+), add two anchor points highlighted with yellow then reselect two newly created anchor points and click on the “Cut Path at Selected Anchor Points” button from the Properties bar. This will make the black ellipse become two curved paths. Select the shorter path and remove it. Next pick the Pencil Tool (N) and create two red curved paths as shown in the second image. Now reselect the black curved path and add 6px stroke (R=0, G=173, B=0). Select the resulting path then open the Stroke palette (Window > Stroke) and set the values like you see in the third image. Keep the resulting path selected and go to Effect > Stylize > Zig Zag. Follow the data as shown in the third image and click OK. Likewise, focus on the final image and repeat the process as the previous steps for the two red curved paths.
62. It’s time to draw some bushes. Pick the Ellipse Tool (L) and create two ellipses with dimensions: 64px by 50px and 33px by 25px. Reselect these ellipse and remove the stroke then fill them with the radial gradient like you see in the third image. Now select the bigger ellipse and go to Effect > Texture > Grain. Follow the data as shown in the fifth image and click OK then go to the Effect > Stylize > Feather and enter a 10px Radius and click OK. Next select the remaining ellipse and go to Effect > Texture > Grain. Follow the data as shown in the sixth image and click OK,then apply a 5px Feather effect for the resulting ellipse. Here we have the two bushes ready. Finally make some copies of these bushes and then place them in positions as shown in the final image.
Create the Clouds.
63. Now we’ll create some clouds with the Pencil Tool (N). Create some white shapes then reselect the four shapes like you see in the second image and reduce their Opacity to 70%. Next select three shapes as shown in the third image and apply a 20px Gaussian Blur effect for the them. Select the remaining shapes and apply a 15px Gaussian Blur effect for them. Finally reselect all shapes created in this step and hide them behind the castle.
Here is how the castle should look like.
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