Someone who has no act of going through digital art uses mean words and still dreads those words of v-energy torn apart by work
So, take up that stylus (or mouse if you feel retro), and let’s begin exploring the realm of vector art. Spoiler: It is just like drawing with magic but less complicated!
What is Vector Art?
First things first, what really is vector art? In short, vector art is made out of paths (lines) defined mathematically. it is important that the vector illustrations can be scaled to any size without losing quality-unlike a raster image (those pixel-based ones). Making a picture in sand is similar to making a picture on a super crisp drawing pad compared to its effect because it gets all grainy on zoom. In fact, that is what happens with vector artwork; it stays sharp, no matter how big the picture becomes.
Vector illustrations-flexible in logos and icons, and simple notations that are to be resized-they can have their most significant strength when it comes to producing clean and simple digital illustrations. Furthermore, they really beat huge raster files in the lightness they offer for your computer, and that’s a win-win.
Step 1: Choose the Right Software
You need to choose the right weapon before you get started. There are excellent programs for working with vector graphics, and most people think of Adobe Illustrator when they consider using one of these, although it is quite pricey. In fact, if you are not up for an Illustrator experience, you can also try the free versions of the software like Inkscape or Gravit Designer, which are capable of doing the trick.
Now that you have made your choice in software, you can open it up and prepare to step into a world full of infinite possibilities. Well… not quite. After all, one must have coffee and live life too!
Step 2: Set Up Your Canvas
Now that you have opened your software and made a decision on your selected tool, it’s all about setting your canvas. Your magic spell page, like a blank sheet of paper, is where it happens digitally. Set it for whatever size best works for your project- just ensure it is large enough not to make you feel cramped. Resolution should also be set to 300 DPI (dots per inch) for prints for great high-quality results.
But one thing is the simplicity is the key. A little canvas will certainly make your life much easier, especially if you are a rookie. No, you don’t need a huge canvas to create something beautiful!
Step # 3: Build your Illustration Using Basic Shapes
And here begins the fun: shapes. Yes, you read right. You don’t have to start drawing like a full-blown artist-from scratch, if you want to make simple digital illustrations. Vector art is all about building from basic shapes.
For example, let’s say you wish to design a cartoon character. Simple circles and rectangles would do the job—yes, as in children’s building blocks, albeit in modern terms. Use circles for heads, squares for bodies, ovals for limbs—everything will sound just like the 1:1. The first impression might be building a robot, but don’t worry: it’s going to have some extraordinary stuff.
Thus, if you have such shapes in your mind, combine, subtract or stretch them to form the intended shape.
Most vector programs allow the use of the pen tool, shape builder, or pathfinder to manipulate these basic elements. It is a little bit like playing with digital Lego bits-. At least, try not to lose any bits under the couch.
Step 4: Add Color and Details
Now that the base shapes are in place, add color to them. You can choose colors by using the color picker or even create a palette composed of your own choices-such as choosing pieces of your outfit for the day (without the possible embarrassment). Keep your color choices simple at first. A color palette with limited choices will actually make your design feel more cohesive and professional, as if you’ve planned it all out.
Here is also where you can be a little experimental: shading and gradients–. Vectors can handle gradients really well, so if you want to add some depth, feel free to experiment with those. Just don’t go overboard-keep it simple at the beginning.
Step 5: Refine Your Illustration
After adding color and some basic detail, it is time to refine your illustration. This is the part where you reprise “cleaning up after cooking”–in this case, creating all sorts of busy attractive things on the paper. Zoom in and clean up any edges that need smoothing out, change colors, and make sure everything looks sharp. Vectors are all about precision, so don’t hurry in this step.
Extravagant, as they say; it may even have some texturing or with little layering. Just know that simple vector illustrations tend to shine when they are, well, simple. Flat design or minimalist style will suffice here. Less is more unless you’re illustrating a pizza in which case more cheese, please!
Step 6: Export Your Artwork
Now that you are happy with your digital illustration, it is time to get it out of the application.SVG file (which is perfect for web use) or a PDF for print. Sharing on social platforms or portfolios can be done using PNG or JPG, both of which would serve their purposes just fine.
Just don’t forget to save a copy of your original vector file (either SVG or AI file) because at one point, you’ll need to edit. Because let’s face it; you might look at that work after a few days and think, “I would definitely improve this”. We’ve all had our moments.
Final Words
That’s it—a simple guide to bringing about simple and clear digital illustrations through the vector art creation process!
It seems difficult at first. But once you learn, you’ll be building beautiful scalable art very quickly. Just remember: start simply, think shapes, and as you go, add your own personal flavor to the mix. Keep experimenting, and in no time, you’ll be churning out designs as sharp as your wit.
So yeah, try your hand at it. You never know- maybe your next illustration is just around the corner from being the big one (or at least an adorable little logo for your side hustle). Happy illustrating!