In this tutorial, I’ll explain how to create a detailed grasshopper. Join me as I draw each part of the grasshopper using the basic tools, effects and vector shape building techniques of Adobe Illustrator. As we go along, you will learn how to add the shading and highlights on those parts to give a more 3D look. Let’s begin!
Difficulty: Intermediate
Requirements: Adobe Illustrator
What will you get?
- Instant download of PDF e-book (31 pages, 64 steps)
- Comes with Ai file for easy reference
- Detailed step by step tutorial to draw a nice realistic Grasshopper
Tutorial Preview:
Create a New Document
1. Launch Illustrator and press (Ctrl + N) to create a New document. Select Pixels from the Units drop-down menu, enter 760px in the width box and 360px 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 Body Parts
2. Let's start by creating the abdomen of the grasshopper. Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and use this tool to create a 358px by 122px object. Using the Pen Tool (P), draw an object similar to the second image below. Once your object is drawn, fill it with R=159, G=66, B=7. Finally, remove the black rectangle.
3. Using the Pen Tool (P), create some objects as shown below. Next, select all the newly created objects and fill them with the linear gradient, then duplicate (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) the resulting shapes once. Keep the duplicates selected, open the Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder) and click on the Unite button, then hide (Ctrl +3) the result.
4. Reselect all the shapes created in step 3 and go to the Effect > Stylize > Drop
Shadow. Follow the data as shown below and then click OK.
5. To add some details, create an object as shown below and fill it with R=251, G=99, B=0. Keep the resulting shape selected. Go to the Effect > Texture > Stained Glass. Follow the data as shown in the third image and click OK. Next, go to the Effect > Stylize > Feather. Enter a 10px Radius and then click OK. Finally, set the Blending Mode of the resulting shape to Difference.
6. Draw several other objects using the Pen Tool (P) as shown in the image. Once your
objects are drawn, reselect them, then pick the Eyedropper Tool (I) and click on the
shape created in step 5.
7. Using the Pen Tool (P), create several objects as shown in the picture below. Fill these objects with the linear gradient. Now select all the newly created shapes, duplicate (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) them, open the Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder) and click on the Unite button, then hide (Ctrl +3) the result.
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