Tutorial: Round Flat Pub Icon

February 25, 2016

We're glad to announce that we are are finally ready to open our new tutorial section for you. In the first tutorial, you will learn how to create a detailed flat pub icon in Adobe Illustrator.

 

In the following tutorial you will learn how to create a detailed pub icon in Adobe Illustrator. For starters you will learn how to setup a simple grid and how ease your work using the Snap to Grid feature. Moving on you will learn how to organize and group your shapes and how to create a neat wooden effect using a set of rectangles, the Roughen effect and a simple mask. Taking full advantage of the Transform effect you will learn how to create a neat brick wall and a tile roof. Moving on, using the Brush Tool and some basic vector shape building techniques you will learn how to create that tiny, green bush. Finally, using basic blending techniques and a smooth linear gradient you will learn how to create the round background.

Tutorial Details

  • Design App: Adobe Illustrator CC
  • Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate
  • Estimated Completion Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Step 1

Hit Control + N to create a new document. Select Pixels from the Units drop-down menu, enter 600 in the width and height boxes and 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.

Enable the Grid (View > Show Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). For starters you will need a grid every 5px, so simply go to Edit > Preferences > Guides > Grid, enter 5 in the Gridline every box and 1 in the Subdivisions box. Try not to get discouraged by all that grid, it will ease your work and keep in mind that you can easily enable or disable it using the Control + " keyboard shortcut.

You should also open the Info panel (Window > Info) for a live preview with the size and position of your shapes. Do not forget to set the unit of measurement to pixels from Edit > Preferences > Units > General. All these options will significantly increase your work speed.

Step 1

Step 2

Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and focus on your Toolbar. Remove the color from the stroke then select the fill and set its color at R=178 G=91 B=63. Move to your artboard and simply create a 165 x 95px rectangle, the grid and the Snap to Grid feature should ease your work.

Step 2

Step 3

Now, you will need a grid every 1 px, so go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid and enter 1 in the Gridline every box. Focus on the left side of your brown rectangle and make sure that the Rectangle Tool (M) is still active. Replace the existing fill color with R=58 G=59 B=57, create a 9 x 50 px shape and place it exactly as shown in the following image. Once again, the grid and the Snap to Grid feature will make things easier for you.

Step 3

Step 4

Switch to the Pen Tool (M) and create a squezzed trapezoid shape as shown in the first image. Once you're done set its fill color to R=148 G=61 B=33.

Step 4

Step 5

Make sure that your squeezed trapezoid is still selected and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select this new shape and flip it horizontally using the Reflect Tool (O). Replace the existing fill color with the linear gradient shown in the following image and then place your shape as shown in the second image.

Step 5

Step 6

Using the Pen Tool (P), create a new, smaller trapezoid shape as shown in the first image. Once you're done, fill it with the linear gradient shown in the second image. Make a copy of this new shape (Control + C > Control + F) and select it. Drag it down, flip it vertically, place it as shown in the third image and then replace the existing linear gradient with the one shown in the third image.

Step 6

Step 7

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 9 x 1 and a 1 x 50 px shapes, fill both rectangles with black and place them as shown in the first image. Select these new shapes, open the Pathfinder panel (Window > Pathfinder) and click the Unite button. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected and open the Appearance panel (Window > Appearance). Simply click that "Opacity" piece of text to open the Transparency fly-out panel and then change the Blending Mode to Soft Light and lower the Opacity to 10%.

Step 7

Step 8

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 3 x 50 and a 9 x 3 px shapes, fill both rectangles with black and place them as shown in the first image. Select these new shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected, move to the Appearance panel, change the Blending Mode to Soft Light and lower the Opacity to 5%.

Step 8

Step 9

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create an 18 x 3 px shape, place it as shown in the first image and set the fill color to white. Focus on the right side of this rectangle and switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A). Select both anchor points and simply drag them 22 px down. Make sure that your white shape is still selected, focus on the Appearance panel or the Transparency panel (Window > Transparency) and simply lower the Opacity to 5%.

Step 9

Step 10

Reselect all the shapes that make up your first window and simply hit Control + G to Group them. Move to the Layers panel (Window > Layers), open the existing layer, double click on your group and rename it "VerticalWindow".

Step 10

Step 11

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 23 x 6 px shape, place it as shown in the first image and set the fill color to R=58 G=59 B=57. Switch to the Pen Tool (P) and create the four trapezoid shapes that can be seen in the second image. Once you're done, select these new shapes one by one fill them with the same colors and linear gradients that were use for the trapezoid shapes from the "VerticalWindow" group.

Step 11

Step 12

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 23 x 1 and a 1 x 6 px shapes, fill both rectangles with black and place them as shown in the first image. Select these new shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected, move to the Appearance panel, change the Blending Mode to Soft Light and lower the Opacity to 10%.

Step 12

Step 13

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 23 x 3 and a 3 x 6 px shapes, fill both rectangles with black and place them as shown in the first image. Select these new shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected, move to the Appearance panel, change the Blending Mode to Soft Light and lower the Opacity to 5%.

Step 13

Step 14

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create an 8 x 6 px shape, place it as shown in the first image and set the fill color to white. Focus on the right side of this rectangle and switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A). Select both anchor points and simply drag them 22 px down. Make sure that your white shape is still selected, focus on the Appearance panel or the Transparency panel and simply lower the Opacity to 5%. Now, reselect all the shapes that make up this tiny, new window and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel and simply rename this new group "HorizontalWindow".

Step 14

Step 15

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create two 8 x 50 px shapes, place them as shown in the first image and set the fill color to R=58 G=59 B=57.

Step 15

Step 16

Pick the Pen Tool (P) and create the four trapezoid shapes that can be seen in the first image. Once you're done, select these new shapes one by one and fill them with the same colors and linear gradients that were use for the other trapezoid shapes from your window groups. Switch to the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 1 x 52 px shape, place it as shown in third image and set the fill color to R=178 G=91 B=63.

Step 16

Step 17

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create an 8 x 1 and a 1 x 50 px shapes, fill both rectangles with black and place them as shown in the first image. Select these new shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected, move to the Appearance panel, change the Blending Mode to Soft Light and lower the Opacity to 10%. Duplicate this new shape (Control + C > Control + F), select the copy and place it as shown in the third image.

Step 17

Step 18

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create an 3 x 50 and a 8 x 3 px shapes, fill both rectangles with black and place them as shown in the first image. Select these new shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected, move to the Appearance panel, change the Blending Mode to Soft Light and lower the Opacity to 5%. Duplicate this new shape (Control + C > Control + F), select the copy and place it as shown in the third image.

Step 18

Step 19

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create an 8 x 10 and an 8 x 5 px shapes, fill both rectangles with white and place them as shown in the first image. Focus on the right side of these new rectangles and switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A). Select all four anchor points and simply drag them 22 px down. Now, select the top white shape, focus on the Appearance panel or the Transparency panel and simply lower the Opacity to 5%. Move to the other white shape, return to the Appearance panel and this time lower the Opacity to 3%.

Step 19

Step 20

Duplicate the two, white shapes made in the previous step, drag both copies to the right and place them as shown in the first image. Once you're done, reselect all the shapes that make up this new window and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel and simply rename this new group "HorizontalWindowx2".

Step 20

Step 21

Make two copies of your "HorizontalWindowx2" group, select these new groups one by one and place them exactly as shown in the first image. Next, duplicate your "HorizontalWindow" and "VerticalWindow" groups and place the copies exactly as shown in the second image. Once again, the grid and the Snap to Grid feature will come in handy.

Step 21

Step 22

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create six, 3 x 85 px shapes and place them one next to the other as shown in the following image. Fill all these rectangles with black, change their Blending Mode to Soft Light and then lower the Opacity percentages between 5% and 25% as pointed in the following image.

Step 22

Step 23

Reselect the six, black rectangles made in the previous step and Group it (Control + G). Make sure that this new group stays selected and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Roughen. Enter the attributes shown in the following image, click the OK button and then go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Drag the Move-Horizontal slider to 18 px, enter 8 in that Copies box and then click the OK button.

Step 23

Step 24

Now, focus on the Layers panel, open your "window" groups and duplicate those dark rectangles that make up the interior. Drag these copies outside their groups, in the top of the Layers panel. Once you're done, select all these rectangles, replace the existing fill color with black and then turn them into a simple compound path using the Control + 8 keyboard shortcut (or by going to Object > Compound Path > Make).

Step 24

Step 25

Reselect the black compound path made in the previous step along with the group of black, transparent rectangles, focus on the Transparency panel (Window > Transparency), click that Make Mask button and don't forget to uncheck that Clip box. In the end things should look like in the second image.

Step 25

Step 26

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 25 x 52 px shape, place it as shown in the first image and set the fill color to R=86 G=46 B=28.

Step 26

Step 27

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 17 x 21 px shape, place it as shown in the first image and set the fill color to R=58 G=59 B=57. Switch to the Pen Tool (P) and create the four trapezoid shapes that can be seen in the second image. Once you're done, select these new shapes one by one and fill them with the colors and linear gradients pointed in the third image.

Step 27

Step 28

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create an 15 x 1 and a 1 x 19 px shapes, fill both rectangles with black and place them as shown in the first image. Select these new shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected, move to the Appearance panel, change the Blending Mode to Soft Light and lower the Opacity to 10%.

Step 28

Step 29

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create an 3 x 21 and a 17 x 3 px shapes, fill both rectangles with black and place them as shown in the first image. Select these new shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected, move to the Appearance panel, change the Blending Mode to Soft Light and lower the Opacity to 5%.

Step 29

Step 30

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 25 x 1 and two,1 x 52 px shapes, fill both rectangles with black and place them as shown in the first image. Select these new shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected, move to the Appearance panel, change the Blending Mode to Soft Light and lower the Opacity to 15%. Using the same tool, create a 25 x 2 px shape and place it as shown in the third image. Make it black, lower its Opacity to 15% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 30

Step 31

Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create two, 3 px circles, place them as shown in the first image and set their fill color to R=80 G=42 B=25. Switch to the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 1 x 12 px shape and place it as shown in the second image. Set it's color to R=72 G=37 B=22 and then go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 0.5 px Radius and click OK.

Step 31

Step 32

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 25 x 5 and a 4 x 52 px shapes, fill both rectangles with black and place them as shown in the first image. Select these new shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected, move to the Appearance panel, change the Blending Mode to Soft Light and lower the Opacity to 10%.

Step 32

Step 33

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 5 x 19 px shape, place it as shown in the first image and set the fill color to white. Focus on the bottom side of this new rectangle and switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A). Select both anchor points and simply drag them 10 px to the right. Make sure that your white shape is still selected, focus on the Appearance panel or the Transparency panel and simply lower the Opacity to 2%.

Step 33

Step 34

Now, reselect all the shapes that make up your door and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel and simply rename this new group "Door". Make a copy of this new group, drag it to the right and place it exactly as shown in the second image.

Step 34

Step 35

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 165 x 3 px shape, place it as shown in the first image and set the fill color to R=168 G=81 B=53. Using the same tool, create the set of this rectangles shown in the second image and use the fill colors pointed in the same image.

Step 35

Step 36

Pick the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 5 x 3 and three, 5 x 1 px shapes, place them as shown in the first image and use the fill colors pointed in the same image. Make sure that the Rectangle Tool (M) is still active, create a 5 x 6 px shape and place it as shown in the second image. Set the fill color to black, lower the Opacity to 15% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light. Focus on the right side of this new rectangle and switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A). Select the bottom anchor point and simply drag it 3 px up and 3 px to the left as shown in the third image.

Step 36

Step 37

Reselect all the shapes made in the previous step and Group them (Control + G). Make sure that this new group is selected and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Drag the Move-Horizontal slider to 155 px, check the Reflect X box, enter 1 in the Copies box and the click the OK button.

Step 37

Step 38

Pick the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 4 x 3 and three, 4 x 1 px shapes, place them as shown in the first image and use the fill colors pointed in the same image.

Step 38

Step 39

Make sure that the Rectangle Tool (M) is still active, create a 3 x 6 px shape and place it as shown in the second image. Set the fill color to black, lower the Opacity to 15% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light. Focus on the left side of this new rectangle and switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A). Select the bottom anchor point and simply drag it 3 px up and 2 px to the right as shown in the second image. Duplicate this black, transparent shape, flip the copy horizontally, drag it to the right and place it as shown in the third image.

Step 39

Step 40

Reselect the set of shapes highlighted in the first image and Group them (Control + G). Make sure that this new group is selected and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Drag the Move-Horizontal slider to 20 px, enter 6 in the Copies box and then click the OK button.

Step 40

Step 41

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 125 x 13 px shape and place it as shown in the first image. Switch to the Ellipse Tool (L), create four, 6 px circles and place them exactly as shown in the second image. Select all the shapes made in this step and click the Minus Front button from the Patfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shapes is selected and replace the existing fill color with R=58 G=59 B=57.

Step 41

Step 42

Make sure that the shape made in the previous step is still selected and focus on the Appearance. First, go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the attributes shown in the following image, click the OK button and then return to the Appearance panel. Select the stroke, set the color to R=82 G=102 B=80, lower its Opacity to 40% and then click that "Stroke" piece of text to open the Stroke fly-out panel. Make sure that the Weight is set to 1 px, check the Align Stroke to Inside button and then go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -1 px Offset and then click the OK button.

Step 42

Step 43

Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 1 px circle and set its fill color to R=92 G=112 B=90. Place this tiny, new shape as shown in the following image and then go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Drag the Move-Horizontal slider to 2 px, enter 2 in that Copies box and then click the OK button.

Step 43

Step 44

Make sure that the tiny circle made in the previous step is still selected and go again to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. This time drag the Move-Horizontal slider to 108 px, enter 1 in that Copies box and then click the OK button.

Step 44

Step 45

Open the Character panel (Window > Type > Character), pick the Type Tool (T), simply click on your artboard and add the "THE OLD PUB" piece of text. Use the Copperplate Gothic Bold font, set the set the size to 7 px, increase the tracking to 100 and make sure that the text color is set to R=132 G=150 B=140.

Step 45

Step 46

Focus on the Layers panel, rename the existing layer "GroudFloor" and then simply lock it to make sure that you won't accidentally select/move its content. Add a second layer using that Create New Layer button, rename it "FirstFloor" and make sure that it stays selected. For this step you'll need to return to gridline every 5 px, so simply go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid and enter 5 in the Gridline every box. Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 165 x 90 px shape, place it as shown in the following image and pick a dark red (R=190 G=30 B=45) for the fill color.

Step 46

Step 47

Return to gridline every 1 px, so simply go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid and enter 1 in the Gridline every box. Select your dark red shape and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Make sure that this copy stays selected, replace the dark red with a simple pink (R=247 G=90 B=123) and open the Transform panel (Window > Transform). Make sure that the reference point is set in the center and that the Constrain Width and Height Proportions button is not checked and then simply enter 167 px in the Width (W:) box.

Step 47

Step 48

Focus on the top, left corner of your pink rectangle. Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create two, 8 x 3 px shapes. Fill one of these rectangles with a random green and the other with yellow and then place these shapes as shown in the first image. Reselect both rectangles and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Drag the Move-Horizontal slider to 9 px, enter 19 in that Copies box and then hit the OK button.

Step 48

Step 49

Reselect your green and yellow rectangles and Group them (Control + G). Make sure that this new group is selected and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Drag the Move-Vertical slider to 8 px, enter 11 in that Copies box, hit the OK button and then go to Object > Expand Appearance. Select the resulting group of shapes and turn it into a simple compound path using that same Control + 8 keyboard shortcut.

Step 49

Step 50

Select the green compound path made in the previous step along with your pink rectangle that lies in the back and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting group of shapes is selected and replace the existing fill color with R=245 G=148 B=116.

Step 50

Step 51

Randomly selected twenty brick shapes and simply replace the existing fill color with R=212 G=126 B=99.

Step 51

Step 52

Now, you need to repeat the technique mentioned in the previous step four more times. Randomly select twenty brick shapes and replace the existing fill color with the four colors pointed in the first image. Once you're done, focus on the Layers panel and make sure that all your brick shapes are gathered inside a single group. Duplicate this group, select the copy and turn it into a simple compound path using that same Control + 8 keyboard shortcut. Make sure that this new compound path is selected and replace the existing fill color with a simple blue.

Step 52

Step 53

Duplicate your blue compound path, select the copy and move it 1 px down. Reselect both blue compound paths and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Turn the resulting group of shapes into a new compound path (Control + 8), make sure that it stays selected and focus on the Appearance panel. Replace the existing fill color with white, lower the Opacity to 30% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 53

Step 54

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create four, 9 x 2 px shapes, place them as shown in the first image and set the fill color to R=70 G=85 B=101.

Step 54

Step 55

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create an 9 x 1 and a 1 x 22 px shapes, fill both rectangles with black and place them as shown in the first image. Select these new shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected, move to the Appearance panel, change the Blending Mode to Soft Light and lower the Opacity to 15%. Make three copies of this new shape and spread them as shown in the third image.

Step 55

Step 56

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create the set of shapes shown in the first image (try to use the grid as a reference). Once you have all these shapes, select them and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Don't forget to set the fill color to R=178 G=91 B=63.

Step 56

Step 57

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 25 x 2 and two, 1 x 51 px shapes, fill both rectangles with black and place them as shown in the first image. Select these new shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected, move to the Appearance panel, change the Blending Mode to Soft Light and lower the Opacity to 25%. Using the same tool, create a 25 x 1 px shape and place it as shown in the third image. Make it black, lower its Opacity to 15% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 57

Step 58

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create an 19 x 1 and a 1 x 45 px shapes, fill both rectangles with R=170 G=82 B=56 and place them as shown in the first image. Select these new shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Make three copies of this new shape and spread them as shown in the third image.

Step 58

Step 59

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 25 x 10 and a 8 x 51 px shapes, fill both rectangles with black and place them as shown in the first image. Select these new shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected, move to the Appearance panel and lower the Opacity to 10%.

Step 59

Step 60

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 25 x 5 px shape, place it as shown in the first image and set the fill color to R=212 G=126 B=99. Next, create a 1 x 4 px shape, place it as shown in the second image, set the fill color to R=178 G=91 B=63 and then go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Drag the Move-Horizontal slider to 2 px, enter 11 in that Copies box and then hit the OK button. Duplicate this second, smaller rectangle, select the copy and replace the existing fill color with R=162 G=73 B=49. Keep focusing on this copy, resize it into a 1 px square and place it exactly as shown in the third image.

Step 60

Step 61

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 29 x 3 px shape, place it as shown in the first image and set the fill color to R=201 G=194 B=175. Switch to the Pen Tool (P), create a simple trapezoid as shown in the second image and set its fill color to R=221 G=214 B=195. Return to the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 29 x 1 px shape, place it as shown in the third image and set the fill color to R=188 G=180 B=159. Finally, create a 29 x 5 px shape and place it as shown in the fourth image. Make it black and lower its Opacity to 25%.

Step 61

Step 62

Select all the shapes that make up this new window and Group them (Control + G). Select this new group and place it exactly as shown in the second image.

Step 62

Step 63

Make two copies of your new window group and place them as shown in the first image. Now, reselect that dark red shape that should be lying in the back and simply replace the existing fill color with the linear gradient shown in the following image.

Step 63

Step 64

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 169 x 2 px shape, place it exactly as shown in the first image and set the fill color to R=212 G=126 B=99. Using the same tool, create the set of this rectangles shown in the second image and use the fill colors pointed in the same image.

Step 64

Step 65

Focus on the Layers panel and lock your "FirstFloor" layer. Create a third layer, name it "Roof" and make sure that it stays selected. Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create an 8 x 64 px shape, place it exactly as shown in the first image and set the fill color to R=191 G=99 B=69. Switch to the Pen Tool (P), create a shape like the one shown in the second image and fill it with the linear gradient shown in that same image.

Step 65

Step 66

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 5 x 1 px shape, place it as shown in the following image, set the fill color to R=171 G=83 B=59 and then go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Drag the Move-Vertical slider to 2 px, enter 30 in that Copies box and then hit the OK button.

Step 66

Step 67

Reselect all the shapes that make up the left edge of the roof and Group them (Control + G). Make sure that this new group is selected and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Drag the Move-Horizontal slider to 157 px, enter 1 in that Copies box, don't forget to check the Reflect X box and then hit the OK button.

Step 67

Step 68

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 149 x 64 px shape, place it as shown in the first image and set the fill color to R=86 G=71 B=78. Focus on the top, left corner of this new rectangle and make sure that the Rectangle Tool (M) remains active. Create a 4 x 7 px shape, place it as shown in the second image and pick a random blue for the fill color. Make sure that this new shape stays selected and go to Effect > Warp > Arch. Enter the attribute shown below, click the OK button and then go to Object > Expand Appearance.

Step 68

Step 69

Make sure that your blue shape is still selected and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Drag the Move-Horizontal slider to 5 px, enter 29 in that Copies box, click the OK button and then go again to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. This time drag the Move-Vertical slider to 8 px, enter 7 in that Copies box and then click the OK button

Step 69

Step 70

Focus on the Layers panel, open your "Roof" layer and lock all the shapes except the blue one. Select your blue shape and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Make sure that the resulting group of shapes is selected and simply Ungroup if using the Shift + Control + G keyboard shortcut. You'll have to hit this shortcut about three times to get rid of all those groups and subgroups. Once you're done, select all your blue shapes and replace the existing fill color with R=204 G=103 B=75.

Step 70

Step 71

Randomly selected twenty brick shapes and simply replace the existing fill color with R=159 G=86 B=67. Repeat this technique four more times and replace the existing fill color with the four colors pointed in the third image.

Step 71

Step 72

Select all the shapes that make up the bottom row of tiles, Group them (Control + G) and then bring this group to front using the Shift + Control + ]. Move to the next row of tile shapes, Group it and bring it to front and then repeat this command until you get to the top row of tile shapes.

Step 72

Step 73

Select all your groups of tile shapes and go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the attributes shown in the top window (in the following image), click the OK button and then go again to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the attributes shown in the bottom window and then hit that OK button. Select only the bottom group of tile shapes, focus on the Appearance panel and simply get rid of that bottom Drop Shadow effect.

Step 73

Step 74

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 149 x 2 px shape, place it as shown in the following image and set the fill color to R=191 G=99 B=69.

Step 74

Step 75

Focus on the Layers panel, lock your "Roof" layer and then add a new layer. Name it "Bush" and make sure that it stays selected. Disable the Grid (Control + ") and the Snap to Grid (Shift + Control + '). Using the Brush Tool (B) or the Pen Tool (P), create wavy shape roughly like the one shown in the following image. Set the fill color to a random blue and make sure that your shape is closed. You can use the Control + J keyboard shortcut (Object > Path > Join) to close an opened path easier and faster.

Step 75

Step 76

Duplicate your blue shape (Control + C > Control + F) and then use the Brush Tool (B) (or the Pen Tool) to create a new path roughly as shown in the first image. Select this new shape along with the copy of your blue shape and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape is selected and focus on the Appearance panel. Set the fill color to black, lower the Opacity to 30% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light. Again, duplicate your blue shape and then create a new path roughly as shown in the third image. Select it along with the new copy of your blue shape and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the newly made shape with black, lower its Opacity to 30% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 76

Step 77

Duplicate your blue shape (Control + C > Control + F) and then use the Brush Tool (B) (or the Pen Tool) to create a new path roughly as shown in the first image. Select this new shape along with the copy of your blue shape and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape is selected and focus on the Appearance panel. Set the fill color to white, lower the Opacity to 30% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light. Reselect your blue shape and simply replace the existing fill color with R=111 G=121 B=45.

Step 77

Step 78

Using the Brush Tool (B) or the Pen Tool (P), create smaller, wavy shape roughly like the one shown in the following image. Set the fill color to a random yellow and make sure that your shape is closed. Using the same tools and the Intersect command create the two, black shapes shown in the following image and then make sure that you're using the Appearance attributes pointed below.

Step 78

Step 79

Using the Brush Tool or the Pen Tool along with the Intersect command create the two, white shapes shown in the following image and then make sure that you're using the Appearance attributes pointed below. Reselect your yellow shape and simply replace the existing fill color with R=118 G=129 B=40.

Step 79

Step 80

Focus on the Layers panel and lock your "Bush" layer and then add a new layer. Name it "BG", drag it in the bottom of the Layers panel and make sure that it stays selected.

Step 80

Step 81

Enable the Snap to Grid (Control + '). Using the Ellipse Tool (L) and the Pen Tool (P), create a bunch of yellow shapes roughly as shown in the first image. Once you're done, select these yellow shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel.

Step 81

Step 82

Select your blue circle and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select it along with that yellow shape and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected and focus on the Appearance panel. Replace the existing fill color with white, lower the Opacity to 30% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 82

Step 83

Using the Ellipse Tool (L) and the Pen Tool (P), create a new set of yellow shapes roughly as shown in the first image. Once you're done, select these yellow shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel.

Step 83

Step 84

Select your blue circle and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select it along with that yellow shape and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected and focus on the Appearance panel. Replace the existing fill color with black, lower the Opacity to 30% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 84

Step 85

Using the Ellipse Tool (L) and the Pen Tool (P), create a new set of yellow shapes roughly as shown in the first image. Once you're done, select these yellow shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel.

Step 85

Step 86

Select your blue circle and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select it along with that yellow shape and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected and focus on the Appearance panel. Replace the existing fill color with black, lower the Opacity to 30% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 86

Step 87

Select your blue circle and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 400 x 90 px shape, place it as shown in the first image and set the fill color to R=82 G=102 B=80. Select this new rectangle along with the copy of your blue circle and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel.

Step 87

Step 88

Select the shape that makes up the ground and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Using the Brush Tool (B), create a simple path roughly as shown in the first image. Select it along with the copy made a few moments ago and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected and focus on the Appearance panel. Replace the existing fill color with black, lower the Opacity to 10% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 88

Step 89

Reselect the shape that makes up the ground and make a new copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Using the Brush Tool (B), create a simple path roughly as shown in the first image. Select it along with the copy made a few moments ago and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected and focus on the Appearance panel. Replace the existing fill color with black, lower the Opacity to 10% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 89

Step 90

Reselect the shape that makes up the ground and make a new copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Using the Brush Tool (B), create a simple path roughly as shown in the first image. Select it along with the copy made a few moments ago and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Make sure that the resulting shape stays selected and focus on the Appearance panel. Replace the existing fill color with black, lower the Opacity to 15% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Step 90

Step 91

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 610 px square and send it to back using that same Shift + Control + [ keyboard shortcut. Make sure that this new shape covers your entire artboard and set the fill color to R=250 G=250 B=250.

Step 91

Step 92

Reselect your blue circle and focus on the Appearance panel. First, select the fill and replace the existing color with the linear gradient shown below and then move to the stroke. Make it white and then open the Stroke fly-out panel. Increase the Weight to 15 px and check the Align Stroke to Outside button.

Step 92

Step 93

Finally, you can add some tiny bird silhouettes from this free pack: 25 Hand-Drawn Animal Pack.

Step 93

And We're Done!

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and can apply these techniques in your future projects. You can download ready-made source file here.

Final Image

written by

Andrei Marius

Andrei Marius is a self taught vector artist who is trying to make a living doing something that he likes. He spends most of his time working in Adobe Illustrator, trying to avoid the Pen Tool. You can find most of his vector experiments at this little website VforVectors.