Homer Simpson Cartoon Sketch Assignment
We are going to redraw an existing image of Homer Simpson, by tracing him in Illustrator. Follow these instructions closely.
The file you turn in should show the original and the traced image side by side. You will be graded on how well you are able to match the original image. Don’t even think about short cutting this assignment.
P5-LASTNAME-CARTOON
Step 1 is simple create a canvas and suitably name it. A size 4x6 inches is perfect because the source file we will be working on isn't the best of quality. Remember to save the files often. You don't want to lose all of your work because you didn't save your file.
Next you need to create a layer for the background image that we are going to trace. Rename the existing layer (If you need your layer palette up go Window > Layers) and naming it something useful (and spelled correctly (D'Oh)). The next step is to lock the layer by checking the tick box. Locking the layer prevents you from moving it when you are changing any of the attributes when working.
The next step is to copy and paste or place the image below onto this layer. You can either resize it to a large size if it is to small or leave it as it is.
You should have something that looks like this. When you lock the layer there will be a small pad lock by the eye. You can always click and unclick the pad lock to edit and change the layer as necessary. This will be done numerous times to different layers.
The next step is to start drawing. Use the Pen tool (P) and set the stroke to about 2. Change this depending on the size of your image. One thing to remember is that a thinner line will be added on to the image later.
Once you have selected the pen tool create a new layer. Name it “outline.” Then carefully draw around the outline of Homer. Make sure that you adjust the curves as needed with the White Pointed Tool (A).
Once you have spent some time carefully adjusting the image you should have a good outline. Through out the creating of this tutorial I was always going back and changing the outline to look both good and fit to the original sketch.
You now need to reduce the stoke size of the brush. The inner lines are smaller and thinner due to the detail.
Again, follow the sketch outline using the 1 stroke brush. One thing to note is that the left eye is better if you use the ellipse tool. It is easier to get the round shape.
Continue down the body tracing the image as necessary. The more time and effort you put into getting all the lines to match up is vital. The image does look better in the end. Remember to add in the backs of his eyes.
One thing that might become apparent when drawing your image is problem areas due to the edges of the brush strokes. The one below is shown by his sleeve opening. This can be solved in an easy way.
Go Object > Path > Outline Stroke. The converts the single line to a block shape. You can then move the points by hand to match up and cover up any errors.
You can then move the points and make the sleeve look better.
The next step is to start creating the colored skin. Homer Simpson’s skin is defined by the colors below.
Begin by making the color the yellow you just created and the stroke to 0 or the color invisible. Use the pen tool.
Create a new layer. Name it color. Lock the outline layer so you can't change it while you are working on the color layer.
Go around the outline of skin with the pen tool. You don't have to be to careful when you make the points as along as all the skin is filled in and there is no white bits left.
You need to continue with other parts of his skin. The beard is RGB 238, 205, 128.
The next step is to move onto his feet and finally on to his shoes. The blue used will be slightly different and darker to the original used in the sketch. The color values are shown below.
He is starting to come to look good now.
The final part of block coloring is to do his shoes. These are dark and use the color values RGB 85, 85, 85. Again use the pen tool and go around the shape of his shoes.
They are colored in a look like so.
He really does look cool at the moment and hopefully yours does too. Give yourself a pat on the back for you good work. But you can make it even better with some shadows.
The shadows use the same basic colors but are darkened. Figure out the correct color for the shadows, yourself or use the eyedropper tool to select the shadow color from the original.
This is where your artistic talent comes in. Use the pen tool again with no stroke and the fill set to the shadow color. Make an out line shape of the shadow and use the reference image as a source. I've moved the sketch image off to the left so I can easily refer to it. Use a new layer if you want to.
Continue around all parts of the skin.
If you look at the layer palette below i've locked all but the shadow layer I am working on. By the way the path under Shadow shouldn't be locked. I clicked the button by accident before taking the screen shot.
Although from the screen cap it may be difficult to notice all of the skin has a shadow.
Continue now with the shadow of the trousers. The color shadow is RGB 83, 124, 180. Again create a shadow by following the sketch image as a source.
The shadows really bring the image to life and they look a lot less 2D.
You need to do the same with the grey for his t-shirt. I've used the default light grey that is included with the colors with Illustrator.
At this point my homer looks very similar to the original copy.
You need to do again the shadows on his feet. I've used another of the default greys.
All you need to do now is finish off by sorting out any stray lines. I've added some text for extra effect (and people know I did it). As well as this there is also a shadow. This again uses one of the greys built into the color palette.