In the following steps you will learn how to create a detailed barbecue illustration. For starters you will learn how to create a simple pattern brush which will be use to create the grill along with a bunch of Transform and some basic blending techniques. Next, using simple circles along with Zig Zag and Roughen effects plus some basic vector shape building techniques you will learn how to create the coal. Moving on, using two simple circles and taking full advantage of the Appearance panel you will learn how to create the main shapes of the barbecue. Using a simple blend, some Warp effects and basic blending and masking techniques you will learn how to create the handles, a fork and some sausages. Finally, you can add a grassy background using some simple techniques explained by Diana Toma in a pretty quick tip.
1. Create a New Document and Setup a Grid
Hit Control + N to create a New document. Enter 600 in the Width and Height boxes 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 1px, so simply go to Edit > Preferences > Guides > Grid, enter 1 in the Gridline every box and 1 in the Subdivisions box. 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.
2. Create a Simple Pattern Brush
Step 1
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=55 G=65 B=75. Move to your Artboard and simply create a 1px square, the Snap to Grid should ease your work. Set the fill color at R=145 G=155 B=165, create a new 1px square and place right below the existing shape, as shown in the second image. Set the fill color at R=115 G=125 B=135, create a third 1px square and place it as shown in the third image.
Step 2
Select all three squares, open the Brushes panel (Window > Brushes) and simply click the New Brush button. Check the Pattern Brush box and click OK. Pick a name for your new pattern brush, enter all the properties shown in the following image and click OK. Once you have your new pattern brush you can remove those tiny squares from your Artboard.
3. Create the Grill and the Main Barbecue Shapes
Step 1
For this step you will need a grid every 5px, so go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid and enter 5 in the Gridline every box. Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 305px circle, fill it with black and lower its Opacity to 30%. Make sure that this new shape is selected and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -10px Offset and click OK. Select the resulting shape and replace the black with a simple red (R=237 G=28 B=36).
Step 2
Return to "gridline every 1px", so go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid and enter 1 in the Gridline every box. Using the Pen Tool (P), create a 283px, horizontal path. Select it, add a 3pt stroke, set its color at R=0 G=166 B=81 and go to Object > Transform > Rotate. Enter a 90 degrees angle and click the Copy button. Select the resulting path and replace the green used for the stroke with a simple yellow (R=255 G=222 B=23). Select both shapes made in this step and Group them (Control + G).
Step 3
Open the Align panel (Window > Align). Select the existing group along with the red circle and pick the Selection Tool (V). Click on the border of the circle (it should get emphasized) then click the Horizontal Align Center and Vertical Align Center buttons from the Align panel. In the end your group should be centered as shown in the second image. Once you’re done, select only the group and Ungroup it (Shift + Control + G).
Step 4
Select the green path and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Enter the properties shown in the first image and click OK. Make sure that your green path is still selected and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select this copy, focus on the Appearance panel (Window > Appearance) and open the existing Transform effect. Enter the properties shown in the second image and click OK.
Step 5
Reselect both green paths and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Select the resulting group and hit Shift + Control + G twice to Ungroup it. Focus on the top and bottom, green paths and resize them as shown in the third image. Simply use the red circle as a boundary. Once you have finished, select all green paths and Group them (Control + G).
Step 6
Select the yellow path and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Enter the properties shown in the first image and click OK. Make sure that your yellow path is still selected and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select this copy, focus on the Appearance panel (Window > Appearance) and open the existing Transform effect. Enter the properties shown in the second image and click OK.
Step 7
Reselect both yellow paths and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Select the resulting group and hit Shift + Control + G twice to Ungroup it. Focus on these yellow paths and resize them as shown in the third image. Once you have finished, select all these yellow paths and Group them (Control + G).
Step 8
Disable the Grid (View > Hide Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap
to Grid). Select the group of green paths and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select this copy and go to Object > Path > Outline Stroke. Select the resulting group and turn it into a simple Compound Path (Control + 8 or Object > Compound Path > Make). Select the group of yellow paths and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select this copy and go to Object > Path > Outline Stroke and them turn the resulting group into a simple Compound Path (Control + 8 or Object > Compound Path > Make).
Step 9
Select the green compound path and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F) then select the yellow compound path and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a 1px Offset and click OK. Select the resulting shape along with the copy made in the beginning of the step, open the Pathfinder panel (Window > Pathfinder) and click the Intersect button. Turn the resulting group of shapes into a compound path, fill it with black, lower its Opacity to 50% and change the Blending Mode to Overlay.
Step 10
Select the green compound path and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F) then select the yellow compound path and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a 3px Offset and click OK. Select the resulting shape along with the copy made in the beginning of the step and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Turn the resulting group of shapes into a compound path, fill it with black, lower its Opacity to 25% and change the Blending Mode to Overlay.
Step 11
Select the yellow compound path and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Make sure that this copy stays selected and focus on the Appearance panel. First, select the existing fill. Change its Blending Mode to Overlay, replace the yellow with the radial gradient shown below and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -1px Offset and click OK. Keep focusing on the Appearance panel, make sure that the existing fill is selected and simply click the Duplicate Selected Item button (pointed by the little, blue arrow in the following image). Focus on your Artboard, reselect those fills one by one and make sure that the radial gradients are place as shown in the following image.
Step 12
Reselect the compound path made in the previous step, focus on the Appearance panel, select the top fill and add two new fills using that same Duplicate Selected Item button. Select them both and lower their Opacity to 75% then focus on your Artboard and make sure that the radial gradients are placed as shown in the following image.
Step 13
Focus on the Layers panel, select the yellow and the green compound paths and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with the radial gradient shown below and change its Blending Mode to Overlay. Move to the Layers panel, double-click on this compound path and simply name it "grill".
Step 14
Select the group of yellow paths and replace the existing stroke with your pattern brush. Move to the group of green paths and do the same thing.
Step 15
Select the red circle and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select this copy, bring it to front (Shift + Control + ] ), increase its Opacity to 100% and focus on the Appearance panel. Remove the color from the fill then add a 3pt stroke and set its color at R=0 G=166 B=81. Duplicate this green path (Control + C > Control + F), select the copy, decrease the stroke size to 1pt and replace the green with white.
Step 16
Select the circle with the thin, white stroke and go to Object > Path > Outline Stroke. Make sure that the resulting path stays selected and focus on the Appearance panel. First, select the existing fill. Change its Blending Mode to Overlay, lower the Opacity to 75% and replace the white with the radial gradient shown below. Keep focusing on the Appearance panel and duplicate the existing fill. Focus on your Artboard, reselect those fill one by one and make sure that the radial gradients are place as shown in the following image.
Step 17
Reselect the circle with the green stroke and simply replace the green stroke with your pattern brush. Select all the shapes that make up the grill (all the shapes except the red and black circles) and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel, double-click on this new group and simply name it "grill".
4. Create the Coal
Step 1
Enable the Grid (View > Show Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). For the following steps you will need a grid every 5px, so go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid and enter 5 in the Gridline every box. Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 20px circle, fill it with R=70 G=70 B=75 and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Zig Zag. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Roughen. Enter the properties shown below, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Move to the Layers panel and name the resulting shape "coalOne".
Step 2
Disable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid) then go to Edit > Preferences
> General and make sure that the Keyboard Increment is set at 1px. Select "coalOne" and make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 2px down and 2px to the left. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with R=237 G=28 B=36 and focus on the Appearance panel. Select the existing fill, lower its Opacity to 50% and change the Blending Mode to Overlay. Keep focusing on the Appearance panel and add a second fill for this shape using the Add New Fill button (pointed by the little, blue arrow in the following image). Select this new fill, set its color at R=242 G=101 B=34, lower its Opacity to 30% and go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 3px radius and click OK.
Step 3
Select "coalOne" and make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 11px up and 5px to the right. Reselect both copies and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with R=241 G=90 B=41, lower its Opacity to 20% and change the Blending Mode to Hard Light.
Step 4
Select "coalOne" and make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 3px up and to the right. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with R=50 G=50 B=55.
Step 5
Select "coalOne" and make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 3px up and 2px to the left. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with R=80 G=80 B=85.
Step 6
Select "coalOne" and make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 1px down and 2px to the right. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with R=60 G=60 B=65.
Step 7
Select "coalOne" and make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 10px up and to the right. Reselect both copies and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with R=90 G=90 B=95. Reselect "coalOne" along with the rest of the shapes used to highlight it and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel and simply name this new group "coalOne".
Step 8
Enable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 25px circle, fill it with R=70 G=70 B=75 and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Zig Zag. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Roughen. Enter the properties shown below, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Move to the Layers panel and name the resulting shape "coalTwo".
Step 9
Disable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Focus on this new coal shape and repeat the techniques used for "coalOne". Use the same Appearance attributes, but adjust the size of the highlights (when needed). Once you have finished, select all the shapes that make up this second piece of coal and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel and simply name this new group "coalTwo".
Step 10
Enable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 30px circle, fill it with R=70 G=70 B=75 and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Zig Zag. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Roughen. Enter the properties shown below, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Move to the Layers panel and name the resulting shape "coalThree".
Step 11
Disable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Focus on this new shape and add the highlights. Once you have finished, select all the shapes that make up this third piece of coal and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel and simply name this new group "coalThree".
Step 12
Enable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 15 x 25px shape, fill it with R=70 G=70 B=75 and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Zig Zag. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Roughen. Enter the properties shown below, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Move to the Layers panel and name the resulting shape "coalFour".
Step 13
Disable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Focus on this new shape and add the highlights. Once you have finished, select all the shapes that make up this fourth piece of coal and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel and simply name this new group "coalFour".
Step 14
Disable the Grid (View > Hide Grid). Multiply (Control + C > Control + F) your coal groups and spread the copies as shown in the following image.
Step 15
Select all coal groups and duplicate them (Control + C > Control + F). Select these copies and click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with the radial gradient shown below, lower its Opacity to 70% and change the Blending Mode to Overlay.
Step 16
Duplicate (Control + C > Control + F) the shape used to add shading for the coal. Focus on the Layers panel, select this copy and drag it below the coal groups. Make sure that this new shape stays selected and focus on the Appearance panel. Increase its Opacity to 100%, change the Blending Mode to Normal, replace the radial gradient with a flat black and go to Effect > Stylize > Outer Glow. Enter the properties shown in the following image and click OK. Select all the shapes that make up the coal and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel, name this new group "coal" and simply drag it below the "grill" group.
5. Add Color for the Main Barbecue Shapes
Step 1
Select the red circle, increase the Opacity to 100% and replace the red with the radial gradient shown in the following image.
Step 2
Make sure that your 285px circle is still selected and focus on the Appearance panel. Add a 4pt stroke, align it to outside, set the color at R=25 G=35 B=45 and go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the properties shown in the left window (in the following image), click OK and go again to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the properties shown in the right window (in the following image) and click OK. Return to the Appearance panel and add three new strokes for this circle using the Add New Stroke button (pointed by the little, blue arrow in the following image). Select the top, new stroke, make it 3px wide, align it to inside and set the color at R=23 G=33 B=43. Move down to the next stroke, make it 5pt wide, align it to inside and set the color at R=28 G=38 B=48. Move down to the third, new stroke, make it 2.5pt wide, align it to outside and set the color at R=15 G=25 B=35.
Step 3
Select the black circle, increase its Opacity to 100%, replace the black with R=35 G=45 B=55 and focus on the Appearance panel. Select the existing fill and go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the properties shown in the left window (in the following image), click OK and go again to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the properties shown in the middle window (in the following image), click OK and go again to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the properties shown in the right window (in the following image) and click OK.
Step 4
Make sure that your 305px circle is still selected, focus on the Appearance panel and add a second fill using that same Add New Fill button. Select this new fill, set the color at white, lower its Opacity to 30% and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -1px Offset and click OK. Return to the Appearance panel and add a third fill for this shape. Select it, set the color at R=35 G=45 B=55 and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -1px Offset, click OK and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Enter the properties shown in the following image and click OK.
Step 5
Make sure that your 305px circle is still selected, focus on the Appearance panel and add a fourth fill. Select it, add the linear gradient shown in the following image, change the Blending Mode to Soft Light and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -6px Offset, click OK and go to Effect > Warp > Bulge. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and return to the Appearance panel. Add a 1pt stroke, align it to inside and set the color at R=24 G=35 B=45.
Step 6
Make sure that your 305px circle is still selected, focus on the Appearance panel and add a new fill. Drag it in the bottom of the Appearance panel, set the color at black, lower its Opacity to 15% and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -10px Offset, click OK and go to Effect > Warp > Bulge. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 15px radius and click OK.
Step 7
Make sure that your 305px circle is still selected, focus on the Appearance panel and add a new fill. Drag it in the bottom of the Appearance panel, set the color at black, lower its Opacity to 25% and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -5px Offset, click OK and go to Effect > Warp > Bulge. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Enter the properties shown below, click OK and go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Enter a 30px radius and click OK.
6. Create the Handles
Step 1
Enable the Grid (View > Show Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). For the following steps you will need a grid every 1px, so go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid and enter 1 in the Gridline every box. Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 20 x 3px shape, fill it with R=35 G=45 B=55 and focus on the Appearance panel. Add a second fill for this shape and select it. Use the linear gradient shown below, change its Blending Mode to Soft Light and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -1px Offset and click OK. Return to the Appearance panel, make sure that no fill is selected and go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the properties shown in the left window (in the following image), click OK and go again to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the properties shown in the right window (in the following image) and click OK.
Step 2
Duplicate (Control + C > Control + F) that 20 x 3px rectangle, select the copy and drag it 50px up.
Step 3
Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 10 x 75px shape, fill it with R=89 G=74 B=66, place it as shown in the first image and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 5px radius, click OK and go to Effect > Warp > Arc. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Move to the Layers panel and name the resulting shape "handle".
Step 4
Disable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Select "handle" and make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 1px to the right. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with black, lower its Opacity to 50% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.
Step 5
Select "handle" and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -1px Offset and click OK. Duplicate (Control + C > Control + F) the resulting shape, select the copy and move it 1px down and to the left using the arrow keys from your keyboard. Reselect both shapes made in this step and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with the linear gradient shown in the following image and change its Blending Mode to Soft Light.
Step 6
Select "handle" and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -1px Offset and click OK. Duplicate (Control + C > Control + F) the resulting shape, select the copy and move it 2px down and to the left using the arrow keys from your keyboard. Reselect both shapes made in this step and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with the linear gradient shown in the following image, lower its Opacity to 50% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.
Step 7
Select "handle" and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -1px Offset and click OK. Duplicate (Control + C > Control + F) the resulting shape, select the copy and move it 1px up and to the right using the arrow keys from your keyboard. Reselect both shapes made in this step and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with the linear gradient shown in the following image, lower its Opacity to 50% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.
Step 8
Select "handle", focus on the Appearance panel and add a second fill. Select it, use the linear gradient shown below, change its Blending Mode to Soft Light and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -1px Offset and click OK.
Step 9
Enable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid) and focus on the top side of your "handle". Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 2 x 5px shape, fill it with R=35 G=45 B=55 and place it as shown in the first image. Switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A) and focus on the bottom side of this new rectangle. Select both anchor points and simply drag them 1px to the right. Make sure that this tiny shape is still selected and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 1.5px radius, click OK and go to Effect > Warp > Arc Lower. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Select the resulting shape, focus on the Appearance panel and add a second fill. Select it, use the linear gradient shown below and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -0.5px Offset and click OK.
Step 10
Keep focusing on the top of your "handle", make sure that the tiny shape is still selected and go to Object > Transform > Reflect. Check the Horizontal box and click the Copy button. Select the resulting shape, focus on the Appearance panel, select the top fill and inverse the angle used for the linear gradient. Focus on your Artboard, reselect the tiny shape made in this step and drag it down as shown in the fourth image. Select all the shapes that make up the handle and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel and simply name this new group "handle".
Step 11
Select your "handle" group, send it to back (Shift + Control + [ ) and place it as shown in the following image.
Step 12
Reselect your "handle" group and go to Object > Transform > Reflect. Check the Vertical box and click the Copy button. Select this group copy, drag it to the left and place it as shown in the third image.
7. Create the Sausages
Step 1
Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 105 x 21px shape, fill it with R=129 G=45 B=21 and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 13px radius and click OK. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create an 88 x 4px shape, fill it with R=179 G=92 B=67, place it as shown in the second image and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 4px radius and click OK.
Step 2
Reselect both rounded rectangles, hit Alt + Control + B (or go to Object > Blend > Make) then go to Object > Blend > Blend Options… (or double-click on the Blend Tool). Select Specified Steps from the Spacing drop-down menu and enter 5. In the end things should look like in the second image.
Step 3
Disable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Focus on the Layers panel, open the existing Blend, select the bigger shape and duplicate it (Control + C > Control + F). Drag this copy outside the blend (in the top of the Layers panel) and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Select the resulting shape and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select this copy and move 1px up using the up arrow from your keyboard. Reselect both shapes made in this step and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with R=116 G=29 B=8.
Step 4
Enable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid) and focus on the right side of the Blend. Using the Pen Tool (P), create a simple shape as shown in the first image. Fill it with R=129 G=45 B=21 and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 1px radius, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Select the resulting shape and focus on the Appearance panel. Add a second fill, drag it in the bottom of the Appearance panel, use the linear gradient shown in the third image and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Enter the properties shown in the following image and click OK. Return to the Appearance pane and add a third fill for this shape. Select it, use the linear gradient shown in the fourth image and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -0.5px Offset and click OK. Keep focusing on this shape, make a copy (Control + C > Control + F) and flip it horizontally. Select this flipped copy, drag it to the left and place it as shown in the fifth image. Make sure that this copy stays selected, focus on the Appearance panel, select the bottom fill and simply inverse the angle used for the linear gradient.
Step 5
Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 2 x 9px shape, fill it with R=139 G=55 B=30, place it as shown in the first image and go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the properties shown in the left window (in the following image), click OK and go again to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the properties shown in the right window (in the following image), click OK and go to Effect > Warp > Arc. Enter the properties shown below, click OK and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Enter the properties shown in the following image and click OK.
Step 6
Disable the Grid (View > Hide Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Select all the shapes that make up the sausage and Group them (Control + G). Select this new group and go to Effect > Warp > Arc. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Move to the Layers panel and name the resulting group "sausage".
Step 7
Multiply (Control + C > Control + F) your sausage group and spread the copies as shown in the following image. Select the left sausage group and add the three Drop Shadow effects shown in the following image. Select the rest of the sausage groups, add the same Drop Shadow effects, but change the X and Y Offset according with the orientation of the group. Once you have finished, select all the sausage groups and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel and name this new group "sausages".
Step 8
Open the Transparency panel (Window > Transparency). Focus on the Layers panel, open the "grill" group, select the "grill" shape and duplicate it (Control + C > Control + F). Select this copy, move it outside the group, drag it in the top of the Layers panel and focus on the Appearance panel. Change the Blending Mode to Normal and replace the existing radial gradient with a flat white. Select this white compound path along with the "sausages" group, open the fly-out menu of the Transparency panel and go to Make Opacity Mask. In the end things should look like in the third image. This masking technique should make the Drop Shadow effects used for the sausages visible only over the grill.
Step 9
Focus on the Layers panel, open the masked group and duplicate (Control + C > Control + F) all four "sausage" groups. Drag these copies outside the masked group then focus on the Appearance panel. Make sure that you keep the Drop Shadow effects used for the top, right "sausage" then select the other three groups and simply remove the existing Drop Shadow effects.
8. Create the Fork
Step 1
Enable the Grid (View > Show Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). For this step you will need a grid every 5px, so go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid and enter 5 in the Gridline every box. Using the Pen Tool (P), create an 85px, vertical path. Fill it with none, add a 4pt stroke, set its color at R=103 G=112 B=121 and go to Object > Path > Outline Stroke. Disable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid), select the resulting path and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select this copy, move it 1px to the left then make a new copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select this new copy and move it 1px to the left. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with R=165 G=174 B=183.
Step 2
Reselect the 4 x 85px shape and make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 1px to the right. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with R=58 G=68 B=77.
Step 3
Enable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 10 x 55px shape, fill it with R=89 G=74 B=66, place it as shown in the first image and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 1px radius, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Disable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid), focus on the resulting shape and add the highlights using the same techniques applied for the "handle" shape.
Step 4
Enable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 20 x 70px shape, fill it with R=103 G=112 B=121 and place it as shown in the first image. Switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A) and focus on the top side of this new rectangle. Select the left anchor point and drag it 5px to the right then select the right anchor point and drag it 5px to the left. Keep focusing on this shape and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 10px radius, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance.
Step 5
Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 10 x 55px shape, fill it with a random color, place it as shown in the first image and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 5px radius, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Select the resulting shape along with the shape in the back and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel.
Step 6
For this step you’ll need the Round Any Corner script. You can find it in the Vectortuts+ article 20 Free and Useful Adobe Illustrator Scripts. Save it to your hard drive, return to Illustrator and grab the Direct Selection Tool (A). Select the two anchor points highlighted in the first image and go to File > Scripts > Other Script. Open the Round Any Corner Script, enter a 10px Radius and click OK. In the end your shape should look like in the second image.
Step 7
Disable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Reselect that sharp shape and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -1px Offset and click OK. Select the resulting shape and make a copy in front (Control + C > Control + F). Select this copy and move it 1px to the left. Reselect both shapes made in this step and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Turn the resulting group of shapes into a Compound Path (Control + 8) and fill it with R=133 G=142 B=151.
Step 8
Reselect that sharp shape and make two copies in front (Control + C > Control + F > Control + F). Select the top copy and move it 1px to the right. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Turn the resulting group of shapes into a Compound Path (Control + 8) and fill it with R=58 G=68 B=77.
Step 9
Make sure that your sharp shape is still selected, focus on the Appearance panel and add a second fill. Select it, lower the Opacity to 55%, add the linear gradient shown below and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -2px Offset and click OK. Reselect this sharp shape along with the rest of the shapes that make up the fork and Group them (Control + G). Move to the Layers panel and name this new group "fork" then rotate it and place it as shown in the third image.
Step 10
Disable the Grid (View > Hide Grid). Using the Pen Tool (P), create a simple black path and place it as shown in the first image. Select this black shape along with the "fork" group, open the fly-out menu of the Transparency panel and go to Make Opacity Mask. Keep focusing on the Transparency panel and uncheck the Clip box. In the end things should look like in the third image. Using the Ellipse Tool (L), and create two simple shapes, fill them with R=150 G=60 B=15 and place them as shown in the fourth image.
9. Add the Background
Step 1
Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a shape the size of your Artboard, fill it with R=139 G=94 B=60 and send it to back (Shift + Control + [). Focus on the Appearance panel, add a second fill for this shape and use the radial gradient shown in the following image.
Step 2
Finally, you can add a simple grass effect using the techniques explained by Diana Toma in this wonderful Vectortuts+ article Quick Tip: How to Create a Vector Grass Text Effect.
Congratulations! You’re Done!
Here is how it should look. I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial and can apply these techniques in your future projects.
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