Photo-Realistic Vector Art Tutorial Website

By Jay Bartholomew

What is “Vector Art?”

• Vector vs. Bitmap • Sharpest image quality • Adobe Illustrator ® • The difference:

Vectors are equations for lines

The Difference:

Vector Bitmap

Website Layout

Simple Gradient Mesh Tutorial Advanced Why Vectors?

Entrance Portfolio Other Artists

Simple Tutorial

Start with a photo of a single, simple object, with a smooth texture. A billiard ball works perfectly. Lock the photo into a template so that you may recreate it on another layer without affecting the original photo.

Gradient Mesh

Begin by outlining the contour of the billiard ball with a simple circle, then apply a gradient mesh .

Color Sampling

• Each point, or intersection of lines can be a different color. The gradient mesh tool will automatically and naturally blend the colors between each point.

• Using the point selection eyedropper and tool, color sample each point from its respective location on the photo.

Color Sampling

Tediously adjust each point, one by one.

Adding Details

• Layer on the remaining details like highlights and the number.

• Each detail will be a separate shape and may have a gradient mesh .

• Zoom in tight to capture every detail.

• Use discretion and extrapolation when image quality is poor.

Highlights

• Each highlight can be seen as its own shape with a gradient mesh.

• Flaws make things look real.

• Never use 100% white for highlights or it will look fake, like white paint instead of a reflection.

Remaining Details

• The white circle can be made the same way as the ball was created.

• Numbers can be recreated either by modifying type or by tracing from the photograph.

• Since the shadow appears to go up, the final result should be rotated 90 degrees, clockwise.

The Final Result

Another Example

Other Artists

References

1.

The World’s Most Photorealistic Vector Art. < http://basangpanaginip.blogspot.com/2006/07/wo rlds-most-photorealistic-vector-art.html

>.

2. Steuer, Sharon.

The Adobe Illustrator CS Wow! Book.

Copyright © 2004 by Sharon Steuer.

3. Life In Vector.

< http://www.lifeinvector.com

>.

4. Photorealism: Artists and their Works. < http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/photorealis m.html

>.

5. Creative Bush. Adobe Illustrator Gradient Mesh Portrait Tutorial. < http://www.creativebush.com/tutorials/mesh_tutor ial.php

>.