happy-birthday

Illustrator Tutorial: Line-Style Birthday Poster


In this tutorial, we will be creating a birthday poster in a line style. We’ll be using different shapes and some vector building techniques. After you’re done with this tutorial, you can printout the finish product of this poster so that you can sent it to your family and friends! The process is very easy and comprehensive. Let’s start!

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 640 in the width box and 700 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 Banner

2. Pick the Ellipse Tool (L) and create a 646 by 646px green ellipse. Before you continue, show the Rulers (View > View Rulers > Show Ruler) or (Ctrl+R). Next drag a vertical guide from the Ruler (if the guide locked, go to View > Guides > Lock Guides) or (Ctrl +Alt + ;). Now select the ellipse and the vertical guide you just created. Next open the Align palette (Window > Align) and click on the Horizontal Align Center button. Continue with the Ellipse Tool (L) and create a 560 by 534px yellow ellipse. Now reselect the green ellipse; hold the Shift, click the yellow ellipse, release the Shift and then click the green ellipse again (to fixed its position). Finally, click the Horizontal Align Center button from the Align Palette and then click the Vertical Align Center button.

3. Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a 313 by 373px rectangle. Reselect the green ellipse, hold the Shift, click the rectangle created in this step, release the Shift and then click the green ellipse again (to fixed its position). Next click the Horizontal Align Center button from the Align Palette and then click the Vertical Align Top button. Now select the bottom-left anchor point of the newly created rectangle and remove it. Next select the remaining bottom anchor point, drag it to the left and place it as shown in the second image. Don’t forget to hold the Shift key on the keyboard for straight dragging.

4. Select two ellipses created in step 2 then open the Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder) and click the Minus Front button. Keep the resulting object selected, hold the Shift and click the white object created in step 3 then click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder Palette. The resulting object should look like the third image below.

5. With the Pen Tool (P), create a yellow object. Once it is drawn, select the white object created in step 4 and make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) then bring the copy to front (Ctrl +Shift +Right Square Bracket). Keep this copy selected, hold the Shift and click the yellow object then click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder). Keep working with the Pen Tool (P) until you create a green object like you see in the third image. Now select the yellow object created in this step and make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F); bring the copy to front (Ctrl +Shift +Right Square Bracket). Keep this copy selected, hold the Shift and click the green object and click the Minus Front button. Finally create a red object as shown in the fifth image.

6. Select all objects (except the red object) created from step 4 and add a 2px stroke (R=241, G=242, B=242) for them. Next select the red object and fill it with R=241, G=242, B=242 then add a 2px stroke (R=241, G=242, B=242) for the resulting shape.

7. With the Pen Tool (P), create four curved paths. Once drawn, reselect two red paths and go to Object > Blend > Blend Options. Follow the data like you see in the second image and click OK. Go to Object > Blend > Make (Ctrl +Alt +B). Likewise, create a blend between two magenta paths. Reselect the two blended objects created in this step and replace the existing stroke color with R=241, G=242, B=242 then change the stroke weight to 1.5px. Now select the object as shown in the fifth image and make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F). Bring the copy to front (Ctrl +Shift +Right Square Bracket). Make sure that the copy is still selected; hold the Shift and click the two blended objects created in this step then go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7). The clipping set should look like the final image below.

8. Select and group (Ctrl +G) all objects created from step 4 then 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. Finally select and group (Ctrl +G) all objects created from step 2.

Create the “JOANNE” piece of text

9. First of all, we’ll create the letter “J”. Pick the Rounded Rectangle Tool then simply click on your artboard and enter the data shown below and click OK. Keep the newly created rectangle selected and go to Objec > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -14px Offset and click OK. Show the Rulers (View > View Rulers > Show Ruler) or (Ctrl +R). Drag a horizontal and vertical guide from the Rulers (if the guides locked, go to the View > Guides > Lock Guides) or (Ctrl +Alt + ;). Now select the bigger rectangle created in this step; hold the Shift, click on two newly created guides, release the Shift and then click on the bigger rectangle again (to fixed its position). Next open the Align Palette (Window > Align) click on the Horizontal Align Center button and then click on the Vertical Align Center button.

10. Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a 40 by 150px rectangle then place this rectangle to the correct position as shown below. Now reselect all three rectangles created from beginning step 9. Open the Pathfinder Palette (Window > Pathfinder) and click the Minus Front button. The resulting object should look like the third image below. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M). Create a 100 by 100px rectangle then place this rectangle to the correct position like you see in the fourth image. Make sure that the newly created rectangle is still selected. Hold the Shift and click the green object created in this step then click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder palette.

11. Pick the Direct Selection Tool (A) and Shift then select four anchor points highlighted with red of the white object created in step 10 and then click on the “Cut path at selected anchor points” button from the Properties bar. This will make the white object becomes four paths. Select two paths as shown in the second image and remove them. Now select the two remaining paths and go to Object > Blend > Blend Options. Follow the data as shown in the last image and click OK then go to Object > Blend > Make (Ctrl +Alt +B). We are done with the letter “J” for the moment.

12. Next come the letter “O”. Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a 33 by 63px rectangle. Keep this rectangle selected and go to Effect > Stylize > Round Corners. Enter a 17px Radius and click OK. Make sure that the resulting rectangle is still selected before you go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -14px Offset and click OK. While the new object is selected, open the Appearance palette (Window > Appearance) and click the Round Corners section. In the Round Corners dialog box, enter a 3px Radius and then click OK. Now reselect two rounded rectangles created in this step and go to the Object > Expand Appearance. Next create a blend between two resulting objects. The letter “O” is ready and looks like the last image.

13. We are going to create the letter “A”. Using the Line Segment Tool (\), create a vertical line that is 63px in length with a 1px yellow stroke and no fill. Make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) of the newly created line and then move the copy 14px to the right. With the Direct Selection Tool (A), select two top anchor points of the two yellow lines and move them 17px to the right. Now make a copy (Ctrl + C, Ctrl +F) of the two yellow lines and then replace the existing stroke color of the copies with green. Keep the two green lines selected and go to Object > Transform > Reflect. Check the Vertical and click OK then move the resulting lines to the right and place them as shown in the fifth image. Focus on the sixth image. Select the right yellow line then pick the Add Anchor Point Tool (+) and add an anchor point highlighted with blue on this line. Next select and remove the anchor point highlighted with red of the right yellow line. The resulting line should look like the seventh image below. Now select the two yellow lines created in this step and create a blend between them. Likewise, create a blend between the two green lines.

14. Using the Line Segment Tool (\) create a horizontal line with a red stroke and no fill. Place this line to the position as shown below. Make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) of this line and then move the copy 14px down. To increase the length of the newly created line, select the right anchor point of this line and move some pixel to the right. Likewise, repeat the same process for the left anchor point (but move it to the left). Reselect the two red lines created in this step and create a blend between them. Finally select all three blended objects created from step 13 and go to Object> Blend > Expand. Keep these resulting groups selected and replace their existing stroke color with R=255, G=255, B=255. Press (Ctrl +G) to group them. We are done with the letter “A” for the moment.

15. It’s time to draw the letter “N”. Using the Line Segment Tool (\), create a vertical line 63px in length with a 1px yellow stroke and no fill. Make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) of the newly created line and then move the copy 14px to the right. Reselect two yellow lines created in this step and make a copy then replace the existing stroke color of the copies with green. With the Direct Selection Tool (A) and the Shift, select two bottom anchor points of the two green lines and then move them 26px to the right. Focus on the fourth image, select the left green line, then pick the Add Anchor Point Tool (+) and add an anchor point highlighted with blue on this line. Next select and remove the anchor point highlighted with red of the left green line. The resulting line should look like the fifth image below. Now select the two yellow lines created in this step and create a blend between them. Likewise, create a blend between the two green lines.

16. Select the yellow blended object created in step 15 and make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F). Replace the existing stroke color of the copy with turquoise. Keep the turquoise blended object selected and go to Object > Transform > Reflect. Check Horizontal and click OK then open the Reflect dialog box again. Check Vertical and click OK. Make sure that the turquoise blended object is still selected; hold Shift and click the green blended object created in step 15. Release Shift and then click the green blended object again (to fix its position). Next open the Align palette (Window> Align) and click on the Horizontal Align Right button. The resulting objects should look like the fourth image below. Finally select all three blended objects created from step 15 and go to Object> Blend > Expand. Keep these resulting groups selected and replace the existing stroke color with R=255, G=255, B=255 then press (Ctrl +G) to group them. We are done with the letter “N” for the moment.

17. Next come the letter “E”. Using the Line Segment Tool (\), create a vertical line of 63px in length with a 1px yellow stroke and no fill. Make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) of the newly created line and then move the copy 14px to the right. Continue with the Line Segment Tool (\), create a horizontal line with 21px in length with a 1px green stroke and no fill. Place this line to the position as shown in the third image. Make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) of the green line and then move the copy 14px down. Now select the two yellow lines created in this step and create a blend between them. Likewise, create a blend between the two green lines.

18. Make two copies (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F, Ctrl +F) of the green blended object created in step 17 then select a copy and move it down to the position as shown in the first image. Reselect the remaining copy and replace its existing stroke color with turquoise,then move it down to the position like you see in the second image. Now pick the Direct Selection Tool (A), drag the mouse to the direction of the white arrow to create a marquee as shown in the third image. Next press the left arrow key on your keyboard six times to move the selected anchor points 6px to the left. The resulting object should look like the fourth image below. Finally select all four blended objects created from step 17 and go to Object > Blend > Expand. Keep these resulting groups selected and replace its existing stroke color with R=255, G=255, B=255 then press (Ctrl +G) to group them. The letter “E” is ready and looks like the last image.

19. Select all the letters created in the previous steps and place them to the position as shown below. Next reselect these letters and group (Ctrl +G) them.

20. Select the group created in step 19 and go to Object > Transform > Scale. Check Uniform and enter 67 in the Scale box, then click OK. Make sure that the resulting group is still selected before you go to Effect > Warp > Arc. Follow the data like you see in the third image and click OK. Finally place the resulting group into the banner created in step 8.

21. With the Pen Tool (P), create a white heart object as shown below. Once your heart object is drawn, reselect it and go to Object > Transform > Scale. Check the Uniform, enter 30 in the Scale box and click Copy then move the copy 2px down. Next create a blend between two heart objects.

22. Select the blended object created in step 21 and rotate it an angle of about 20 degrees. Keep this blended object selected and make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F). Reflect the copy vertically then place it on the other side of the banner. Finally select and group (Ctrl+G) all objects created from step 8.

Create the Gift Box

23. Next come the gift box. Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a 171 by 104px rectangle. Add a 4px stroke (R=241, G=242, B=242) for this rectangle and then place it in position as shown in the first image. Keep working with the Rectangle Tool (M). Create a 23 by 106px rectangle then add a 2px stroke (R=241, G=242, B=242) for this rectangle and place it in position as shown in the second image.

24. Select the object created in step 4 and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a 2px Offset and click OK then make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) of the newly created object. Now select a newly created object; hold Shift and click on the bigger object created in step 23. Then open the Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder) and click the Minus Back button. Next select the first object created in this step and the smaller object created in step 23 then click on the Minus Back button.

25. With the Line Segment Tool (\), create a path as shown below. Reselect this path and go to Object > Transform > Move. Enter 8px in the Vertical box and click Copy then press (Ctrl +D) nine times to get the results like you see in the second image. Select all paths created in this step. Replace the existing stroke color with R=241, G=242, B=242 and change the stroke weight to 2px then group (Ctrl +G) the resulting paths. Now select the smaller object created in step 24 and make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F). Bring the copy to front (Ctrl +Shift +Right Square Bracket). Make sure that the copy is still selected. Hold Shift and click on the group created in this step then go to Object> Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7).

26. Select and group (Ctrl +G) the smaller object created in step 24 and the clipping set created in step 25. Keep this group selected and go to Object > Transform > Reflect. Check the Vertical box then click Copy. Select the resulting group, drag it to the right and place it as shown in the image below. Finally with the Pen Tool (P) create a white bow on top of the gift box like you see in the second image.

Create the “to” piece of text

27. Let’s start by creating the letter “t”. Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a 19 by 47px rectangle. Now with the Pen Tool (P), create a white object like you see in the second image. Once your object is drawn, reselect the rectangle created in this step and remove it. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create three rectangles and then place them in position as shown in the fourth and the fifth image. Select the turquoise rectangle and the white object created in this step then open the Pathfinder Palette (Window > Pathfinder) and click the Minus Front button. Keep the resulting object selected, hold Shift, click on the two red rectangles created in this step and fill them with R=241, G=242, B=242 then remove their strokes. We are done with the letter “t” for the
moment.

28. We’re done with the letter “t”. It’s time for the letter “o” now. With the Pen Tool (P), create two white objects as shown in the images below. Next pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a 26 by 1.5px rectangle. Make two copies (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F, Ctrl +F) of the newly created rectangle and then place these rectangles to the position as shown in the third image. Reselect three rectangles created in this step and rotate them to an angle of about -33 degrees. Now select two white objects created in this step and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder palette. Make sure that the resulting object is still selected, hold the Shift and click the three red rectangles then click on the Unite button from the Pathfinder palette. Keep the resulting object selected and fill it with R=241, G=242, B=242 then remove its stroke. Next select and group (Ctrl+ G) all shapes created from step 27 then rotate the newly created group an angle of about 17 degrees. Finally place this group into the gift box as shown in the last image.

Add some Ornaments

29. Pick the Spiral Tool and simply click on your artboard. Follow the data as shown below then click OK. Reselect the spiral and add a 3px stroke (R=241, G=242, B=242). Focus on the second image, select the anchor point highlighted with red. Click on the “Convert selected anchor points to corner” button from the Properties bar. Keep this anchor point selected; hold Shift and click the anchor point highlighted with green. Then open the Align Palette (Window > Align) and click the Vertical Align Bottom button. Next select the anchor point highlighted with red as shown in the third image and move it 120px to the right. Now reselect the object created in this step and go to Object > Transform > Transform Each. Follow the data as shown in the fifth image and click Copy. Next select the right anchor point of the copy and move it 110px to the left.

30. Select two objects created in step 29 and rotate them to an angle of about -30 degrees then place these objects in positions like you see in the third image. Reselect and group (Ctrl +G) two objects created in step 29 then make a copy (Ctrl+C, Ctrl +F) of this group. Finally reflect the copy vertically then place it on the other side of the banner.

31. It’s time to draw the the bunting. With the Pen Tool (P), create a curved path and four flags as shown in the first and the second image. Next using the Line Segment Tool (\), create a horizontal line of length 30px with a 2px stroke (R=241, G=242, B=242) and no fill. Reselect this line and go to Object > Transform > Move. Enter a 5px in the Vertical box and click Copy then press (Ctrl +D) four times to get the results as shown in the fourth image. Select and group (Ctrl +G) all six horizontal lines created in this step and rotate this group an angle of about 27 degrees then place the resulting group to the position like you see in the sixth image. Now select the first flag and make a copy then bring the copy to front (Ctrl +Shift +Right Square Bracket). Keep the copy selected; hold Shift and click on the group created in this step then go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7). Likewise, repeat the same process as the previous steps for the third flag. Finally reselect two remaining flags and fill them with R=241, G=242, B=242.

32. Likewise, repeat the same process as step 31 to create another bunting.

Create the “BIRTHDAY” piece of text

33. Now pick the Type Tool (T), open the Character Palette (Window > Type > Character) and set the data as shown below. Next click on your artboard and add the text like you see in the first image. Reselect the newly created text and go to Object > Expand. Click OK when the Expand dialog box appear then press (Ctrl +Shift +G) to ungoup the resulting group. Next go to Object > Compound Path > Release (Ctrl +Shift +Alt +8). Keep the resulting objects selected and add a 2px stroke (R=241, G=242, B=242) then remove the fill color of these objects. Now select and remove objects like you see in the fourth image. At this point your letters should look like in the final image.

34. Focus on the letter “B”. Select all three objects of this letter then open the Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder) and click the Minus Front button. Repeat the same process for the letters: “R”, “D” and “A”. Finally select all letters created from step 23 to this time; fill them with R=241, G=242, B=242 and add a 2px stroke (R=35, B=31, B=32) then apply the Width Profile 2 for the resulting letters.

35. Using the Line Segment Tool (\), create a horizontal line of length 11px, with a 1px stroke (R=241, G=242, B=242) and no fill. Make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) of the newly created line and then place the copy in position as shown below. Reselect these two lines and create a blend between them. Keep the blended object selected and make some copies of it. Focus on the letter “B”. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and create two curved paths like you see in the third image. Once your paths are drawn, select the red path and a blended object created in this step then go to Object > Blend > Replace Spine. At this point, the letter “B” should look like in the fifth image. Continue select the blue path and a blended object created in this step then go to Object > Blend > Replace Spine. Next select the shape created in step 34 of the letter “B” and bring it to front (Ctrl +Shift +Right Square Bracket). Finally select all objects of the letter “B” and group them. We are done with the letter”B” for the moment.

36. Now, follow the sequence of images and repeat the same process as step 35 for the remaining letters.

37. Select all letters created from step 33 to this time and place them in positions as shown below.

38. Pick the Spiral Tool. Simply click on your artboard and follow the data as shown below then click OK. Reselect the spiral and add a 3px stroke (R=241, G=242, B=242) for it then place this spiral to the position as shown below. Make sure that the newly created spiral is still selected and go to Object > Transform > Move. Enter a 58 in the Horizontal box and click Copy then press (Ctrl +D) twice times to get the results like you see in the second image. Select all four spiral created in this step and group (Ctrl+G) them then 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 “HAPPY” piece of text

39. Pick the Type Tool (T). Open the Character Palette (Window > Type > Character) and set the data as shown below. Next simply click on your artboard and add the text like you see in the first image. Reselect the newly created text and go to Object > Expand. Click OK when the Expand dialog box appear then press (Ctrl +Shift +G) to ungoup the resulting group. Next go to Object > Compound Path > Release (Ctrl +Shift +Alt +8). Keep the resulting objects selected and add a 1px stroke (R=241, G=242, B=242) then remove the fill color of these objects.

40. Focus on letter “H”. Drag three horizontal guides from the Rulers and then place them to correct positions as shown below. Next pick the Add Anchor Point Tool (+) and add three anchor points highlighted with red and yellow. With the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the anchor point highlighted with yellow and move it 4px to the left. Now pick the Convert Anchor Point Tool (Shift +C), click on the upper anchor point highlighted with red and move it up while holding Shift. Continue do the same with the remaining anchor point highlighted with red to get the result like you see in the fourth image. Repeat the same process with the right side of the letter “H”. At this point your letter “H” should look like in the final image.

41. Do the same as step 40 for the remaining letters. You should end up with something like this:

42. Continue focus on the letter “H”, select this letter and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a 3px Offset and click OK. Pick the Add Anchor Point Tool (+) and add four anchor points highlighted with red for the newly created object. With the Direct Selection Tool (A) and Shift, select ten anchor points highlighted green as shown in the fourth image and then click “Cut path at selected anchor points” button from the Properties bar. This make the object becomes ten paths. Select and remove some paths like you see in the fifth image. At this point your letter “H” should look like in the final image.

43. Do the same as step 42 for the remaining letters. You should end up with something like the first image. Next select all five objects created in step 41 and fill them with R=241, G=242, B=242 then remove their strokes.

44. Focus on the letter “H”. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and create two objects with diamond shape then fill them with R=35, G=31, B=32. Next with the Ellipse Tool (L), create eight ellipses and fill them with R=35, G=31, B=32 then place these ellipses in positions as shown in the second image. Likewise, repeat the same process to add these details for the remaining letters. You should end up with something like the third image. Select and group (Ctrl + G) all objects created from step 39 then place the newly created group to the position like you see in the final image.

Create the Candles

45. Using the Line Segment Tool (\), create a vertical line with 50px length and a 3px stroke (R=241, G=242, B=242) and no fill, then place it to the position as shown below. Keep working with the Line Segment Tool. Create another vertical line with 43px in length and a 2px stroke (R=241, G=242, B=242) and no fill. Place it in position like you see in the second image. Now pick the Pen Tool (P) and create two curved paths as shown in the third image. Once your paths are drawn, reselect them and create a blend between these two paths. Next replace the existing stroke color of the blended object with R=241, G=242, B=242 and change the stroke weight to 2px. Continue with the Pen Tool (P) to create two objects like you see in the sixth image. Then fill two newly created objects with R=241, G=242, B=242 and remove their strokes. Now select and group (Ctrl +G) all objects created in this step then make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) of the newly created group. Finally reflect the copy vertically then place it on the other side of the poster.

Create the Balloons

46. We are going to create the balloons. Pick the Ellipse Tool (L) and create a white ellipse with dimension: 90 by 106px. Next with the Pen Tool (P) create some white curved paths like you see in the third and the fourth image. Keep working with Pen Tool (P) and draw a zigzag line like you see in the fifth image. Finally pick the Ellipse Tool (L) and create some ellipses as shown in the last image.

47. Continue to draw another zigzag line using the Pen Tool (P) like in the first image. Next select five anchor points highlighted with red of the newly created zigzag line and click the “Convert selected anchor points to smooth” button from the Properties bar. With the Direct Selection Tool (A), adjust the handles of the anchor points you just converted to smooth. You should end up with something like the third image. Create some more details as shown in the fouth and the fifth image. Finally select and group (Ctrl +G) all objects created in step 46 and step 47.

48. Likewise, repeat the same process as the previous steps to draw more balloons. Once your balloons are drawn, add the string for them and place these balloons in positions like you see in the final image.

Create the Stars

49. It’s time to draw the stars. Pick the Star Tool and click on your artboard. Set the data as shown below then click OK. Reselect the newly created star and go to Object > Transform > Transform Each. Follow the data like you see in the second image and click OK. Keep the resulting star and go to Object > Transform > Scale. Check Uniform; enter a 84 in the Scale box and click Copy then open the Scale dialog box again. Check Uniform and enter a 48 in the Scale box then click Copy. Select the biggest star and fill it with R=241, G=242, B=242 then remove its stroke. Next select the smallest star and fill it with R=35, G=31, B=32 then remove its stroke. Continue select the remaining star and add a 2px stroke (R=35, G=31, B=32) for it. Finally select and group (Ctrl +G) three stars created in this step then place this group in position as shown in the last image.

50. With the Pen Tool (P), create five objects as shown in the images below. Once your objects are drawn, reselect them and add a 2px stroke (R=241, G=242, B=242).

51. Continue with the Pen Tool (P), create a green path like you see in the first image. Reselect the newly created path and go to Object > Transform > Move. Enter a 6px in the Vertical box and click Copy then press (Ctrl +D) some times to get the results as shown in the second image. Select all paths created in this step and add a 2px stroke (R=241, G=242, B=242) then group (Ctrl +G) the resulting paths. Now select the first object created in step 40 and make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) of it and bring the copy to front (Ctrl +Shift +Right Square Bracket). Keep the copy selected. Hold Shift and click the group created in this step then go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7). At this point, your star should look like in the sixth image. Repeat the same process as the previous steps for the third and the fifth object created in step 50. You should end up with something like the next to last image. Finally select and group (Ctrl +G) all objects created from step 49 to this time. We are done with the star for the moment.

52. Repeat the same process as the previous steps to draw another star and place it on the other side of the poster. Finally add some more details like you see in the last image.

Create the Flowers

53. Pick the Ellipse Tool (L) and create two ellipses with dimensions: 15 by 15px and 7 by 7px. Then add a 2px stroke (R=241, G=242, B=242) for the two newly created ellipses. Continue create another ellipse and place it in position like you see in the third image. Select the bigger white ellipse and make a copy of it. Keep the copy selected. Hold Shift and click the green ellipse. Open the Pathfinder Palette (Window > Pathfinder) and click the Minus Back button then add a 2px stroke (R=241, G=242, B=242) for the resulting object. Next create a vertical line as shown in the next to last image. Finally change the stroke weight of this line to 2px and replace the existing stroke color with R=241, G=242, B=242 then apply the Width Profile 5 for the resulting line.

54. Before you continue, drag a horizontal and vertical guide from the Rulers. Select the bigger ellipse created in step 53; hold Shift and click two newly created guides. Release the Shift and then click the bigger ellipse created in step 53 again (to fix its position). Next open the Align palette (Window > Align). Click on Horizontal Align Center button and then click the Vertical Align Center button. Now select two objects as shown in the second image. Pick the Rotate Tool (R) and hold Alt key and click the intersection point of the two guides. In the Rotate dialog box, enter a 60 degrees Angle and click Copy then press (Ctrl +D) four times to get the results as shown in the third image. Finally select and group (Ctrl+G) all objects created in step 53 and step 54 then name this group “Flower”.

55. Select the group “Flower” and rotate it an angle of about 40 degrees then place it in position as shown below. Make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) of the group “Flower”. Drag the copy to the right and place it as shown in the second image. Next reselect the two newly created groups and reflect them vertically then place these two groups on the other side of the poster.

56. The poster is ready and looks like this:

Create the Background

57. We need a simple background for the poster. With the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 640 by 700px rectangle. Next fill the newly created rectangle with R=35, G=31, B=32. The last thing to do is place our poster into this background.

And We’re Done!

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