#Vectips RSS Feed Vectips » Create A Mouthwatering Chocolate Covered Strawberry Comments Feed Vectips Shiny Buttons Without Blends or Transparencies in Illustrator Weekly Vector Inspiration #56 Weekly Vector Inspiration #57 * Home * About * Resources * Contact * Shop Vectips Illustrator® tips, tricks, and tutorials * Tutorials * Tips and Tricks * Interviews * Inspiration Create A Mouthwatering Chocolate Covered Strawberry Tutorials | February 11th, 2010 It’s almost Valentine’s day and rather than getting your loved one the same old cheap gifts you get every year, why not create a chocolate covered strawberry illustration for them? You can easily apply this illustration to your own greeting card, t-shirt, or anything else you can think of. Moreover, you can apply this tutorial to other illustrations and logos. Final Image Below is the final image we will working towards. Tutorial Detail * Program: Adobe Illustrator CS4 * Difficulty: Intermediate * Topics Covered: Ellipse tool, Pencil tool, Pathfinder panel, Gradient panel, Custom Art Brush * Estimated Completion Time: 20-30 minutes Step 1 Create a new document and create an ellipse with the Ellipse tool (L). Step 2 With the Direct Selection tool (A), grab the bottom anchor point, hold down the Shift key (to constrain the movements), and drag it down about one quarter of the original size of the ellipse. Step 3 With the Direct Selection tool (A), grab the top anchor point, hold down the Shift key, and drag it down about one eight the original size of the ellipse. Step 4 Fill the new shape with a radial gradient from the Gradient panel. Change the first color stop in the gradient to red and the second color stop to a darker red. Step 5 With the Gradient tool (G) adjust the radial gradient so the lightest part of the gradient is at the top of the shape. Step 6 Create a small elongated ellipse toward to top center of the berry shape. Fill the ellipse with a linear gradient with the first color stop a light orange and the second color stop orange. Adjust the gradient with the Gradient tool (G) so the lightest part of the gradient is at the top of the ellipse. Step 7 With the small ellipse selected, go Object > Path > Offset. Once the Offset dialog is open, change the Offset to 4 px. This measurement might be different depending on the dimensions of you artwork. Step 8 Fill the offset ellipse with a linear gradient with the same reds as the main berry shape. Adjust the gradient so the darker part of the gradient is at the top of the shape. Step 9 Select both shapes, Copy (Command + C), and Paste in Front (Command + F). With the copy still selected, move it above and to the left of the original ellipse shapes. Step 10 Repeat the previous steps placing copies of the small ellipses around the berry shape. When you are placing shapes close to the edge, rotate them with the Selection tool (V) to follow the curvature of the berry. Step 11 For this next step we are going to use the Pencil tool (N) because it is a quick way to draw paths. Before we start drawing with the Pencil tool (N), it is a good idea to set some tool preferences so we can get a smooth line while drawing. First, double-click on the Pencil tool (N) in the Tools panel to bring up the Pencil Tool Options. The option that we are most concerned about is the Fidelity. I like to set mine at 5 pixels to ensure a smooth line. You can always play around with these settings if you don’t like the line path quality in the next step. Step 12 Now that our Pencil tool (N) is set. start drawing a shape around four or five of the smaller ellipses. Hold down the Alt / Option key when you are almost done to connect the beginning and end points. With the new shape selected, go Object > Arrange > Send Backward (Command + ]) until the shape is behind all the small ellipses. Step 13 Select all the small red-gradient ellipses encompassed by the pencil shape, go Object > Path > Offset, and change the Offset to 10 px. Step 14 With the new offset ellipses still selected, hold shift, and select the pencil shape. From the pathfinder panel hold down Alt / Option and press the Minus Front button. Next, change the fill of the new shape to a light red color. Step 15 With the Pencil tool (N) draw a organic shape encompassing the bottom half of the berry. Step 16 Fill the new shape with a linear gradient. For this gradient we need to add an extra color stop. To do this, simply click on the middle of the Gradient Slider in the Gradient panel. Change the first color stop to light brown, the second to a dark brown, and the third to your first light brown. Next, select the middle color stop and change the Location to 70 in the Gradient panel. Step 17 Select the chocolate shape and Copy (Command + C) and Paste in Front (Command + F). Do this one more time so you have three total shapes. Select the top copy and move it down and to the left slightly. Next, select the moved copy and the one underneath it and press the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Change the color of the new shape to a dark brown color. Step 18 With the Pencil tool (N) draw a new highlight shape towards the bottom of the main chocolate shape. Fill the new shape with a linear gradient and make both color stops white. Change the opacity of the first color stop to 40 and the second color stop’s opacity to 15 from the Gradient panel. Step 19 Create a couple more highlights around the top left curves of the main chocolate shape. Fill each new shape with the same white gradient as in the previous step. Step 20 Create a couple more chocolate drops with the Pencil tool (N) and apply the same gradients as in the previous couple steps. Step 21 Now we can move onto the leaves and stem of the strawberry. For the leaves we are going to create an custom Art Brush, making it easy and quick to create the leaves. To start, create an ellipse with the Ellipse tool (L). Step 22 With the Direct Selction tool (A) grab the right anchor point of the ellipse and drag it right to about double the original width. With the point still selected, press the Convert to Corner button from the Control panel. Next, fill the shape with a green color. Step 23 Copy (Command + C) and Paste in Front (Command + F) the ellipse shape twice. Select the top copy and move it down and to the left slightly. Select the two top copies and press the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Next, fill the shape with a light green color. Step 24 Select the main green shape and (Command + C) and Paste in Front (Command + F) twice. With the Selection tool (V), move the top copy up about half way up the original shape and rotate it so the points of the shape touch. Select both top copies, press the Minus Front button, and change the fill to a dark green color. Step 25 Select the main green shape and (Command + C) and Paste in Front (Command + F) twice. With the Selection tool (V) move the shape up and rotate it slightly, select both top copies, press the Minus Front button, and change the fill to a darker green than the previous step. Step 26 Select all the green shapes and drag them into the Brush panel. When the New Brush dialing opens, select the New Art Brush radial button. In the Art Brush Options keep all the default settings. Step 27 Use the Brush tool (B) with the new art brush and draw a leaf on the top of the strawberry. You might have to change the stroke of the path if the shape is too big or doesn’t look correct. When creating these brush strokes, make sure the darker part of the brush is facing down and the pointy part of the brush is facing away from the berry shape. If this is not how it looks after creating the path, press the Stroke Options button at the bottom of the Brush panel. When the Stroke Options dialog opens, you can select the Flip Along or Flip Across options until you get the desired arrangement. Step 28 Create five to six more brush stroke with the Brush tool (B) and custom brush. Step 29 Select all the brush strokes, Copy (Command + C) and Paste in Back (Command + B). With the copies still selected, go Object > Expand Apperance. With the expanded brushes still selected, press the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. Next, move the new shape down slightly. Step 30 Select the main berry shape, Copy (Command + C), and Paste in Front (Command + F). Select the copied berry body shape and combined leaf shapes and press the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Change the fill of the new shape to a grey color and set the Blending Mode to Multiply from the Transparency panel. Step 31 Use the Pen tool (P) to create a stem shape for the strawberry. Fill the shape with a linear gradient with the first color stop green and the second a darker green. With the stem selected, go Object > Arrange > Send Backward (Command + ]) until the bottom part of the stem is hidden from the top leaves. All done! Final Image Below is the final image again. These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. * Digg * del.icio.us * StumbleUpon * Design Float * Facebook * Mixx * TwitThis Visit the Vectips shop! 78 Responses to “Create A Mouthwatering Chocolate Covered Strawberry” 1. IVAN says: February 11, 2010 at 7:29 am like it ;) ♥ Reply 2. Andrea Austoni says: February 11, 2010 at 8:11 am This looks great, especially when scaled down! Good work, thanks Reply 3. Eddie says: February 11, 2010 at 8:13 am Rype, you always seem to amaze me with your detailed tutorials. Thank you. Reply 4. Grafiko says: February 11, 2010 at 8:30 am Very nice! Outcome looks very cool. Thanks Reply 5. Neil says: February 11, 2010 at 9:34 am Very nice and cute example of small scale vectors. i might have to have a play and take this with other dippable items! Reply 6. Theo Hodkin says: February 11, 2010 at 9:58 am That’s brilliant! Sooo good, the final result is brilliant… and great style too! Thanks Ryan! Reply 7. Richie says: February 11, 2010 at 10:08 am Ummmm… Slurp. Looks delicious. Thanks a lot for the tutorial. It is really simple and easy to follow. I have fallen in love with Illustrator after seeing so many of your tutorials. They Rock :) Reply 8. hawken king says: February 11, 2010 at 8:51 pm some nice tips there, shame the final illustration looks a little rushed. Reply 9. Kevin says: February 12, 2010 at 4:55 am Fun tutorial, great explanation i am going to try this some time just for the tips that are in this Reply 10. Anne H. says: February 15, 2010 at 12:57 pm Really nice and fun tutorial. Thank you! Reply 11. yaku says: February 15, 2010 at 4:02 pm Great tutorial. Anyway i cant drag them into brush panel. Illustrator says that “the selected artwork contains an element that cannot be used in an art brush”. I dunno why. I have just 4 objects – paths. Can anyone help please? Thank you Yaku Reply 12. yaku says: February 15, 2010 at 4:05 pm Ha fixed :) You cant make them brush if one of the object is wearing a gradient instead of a solid color. Yay.. Cheers Yaku Reply 13. Vince says: February 16, 2010 at 7:47 am Great tutorial. Very nice to see how one accomplishes the details you created. Thanks for sharing! Reply 14. Lam Nguyen says: February 16, 2010 at 9:03 am Delicious! Love the tutorial with detail guides. Thank you! Reply 15. Krishna says: February 16, 2010 at 9:05 am YUMMY!!!…ohh, and bookmarked! definitely going to try this out!! thanks! :) Reply 16. Reiso says: February 16, 2010 at 12:13 pm Thanks for the great tutorial. Love when I find tutorials (no matter how difficult or simple) that don’t assume the reader is a master at Illustrator. Very easy to follow along. Love all the use of the Pathfinder tool! Reply 17. moon1 says: February 17, 2010 at 1:11 am delicious!! :) Thank for the tutorial! Greetings from Poland Reply 18. Paul says: February 17, 2010 at 2:26 am thats really so cool! i like it very much, shame i missed it for valentines day. but its a really nice tutorial for me to get stuck into illustrator. many thanks! Reply 19. designi1 says: February 17, 2010 at 4:17 am So dam tasty :D Great job here… i must be hungry ;:D Reply 20. PsdDude says: February 23, 2010 at 3:23 am I looks delicious ! I like the chocolate effect …Thanks for the tutorial :) Reply 21. vectorilla says: February 23, 2010 at 5:18 am nice tutorial thanks Reply 22. Web & Graphic Designer says: February 23, 2010 at 7:00 pm I’ve never really actually considered Illustrator until now, I’m more of a photoshop guy. Reply 23. tuliptree says: February 23, 2010 at 9:55 pm I thought I was a dummy at computers but I just finished this tutorial! Thanks for making this tutorial so easy to follow…! I love it! :D Reply 24. Janella says: February 26, 2010 at 3:56 pm This is a wonderful tutorial & so cute! I cannot seem to get the leaves to Minus to Front in Step 25. I’ve been working at it for quite some time & it seems to select the top leaf to fill. Any suggestions? Reply 25. Abid Karim says: March 1, 2010 at 6:14 am Wow..Its luk great…Its too gud. Thanxxx for the tutorial. Reply 26. Alan says: March 5, 2010 at 9:32 pm Awesome maaan! Reply 27. Sam says: March 10, 2010 at 11:41 pm Cool!! I like it!! Reply 28. Designebookcover says: March 13, 2010 at 12:20 pm the bottom part not look as good as the top but it is very nice tutorial and very detailed. Reply 29. Jmarreros says: March 21, 2010 at 11:13 am Very interesting, thanks for sharing Reply 30. Anita says: April 6, 2010 at 6:22 pm That was so fun to do! thanks Reply 31. Ali says: April 27, 2010 at 10:33 am Nicely Done ;) Reply 32. Soumya says: April 28, 2010 at 1:54 am This is beautiful! Thanks a lot for sharing! :) Reply + Key says: August 13, 2011 at 4:48 am thanks bro very nice Reply 33. pratham says: May 26, 2010 at 3:39 am Nice tutorial…………..thanx for sharing http://www.scrapsforever.com Reply 34. Blogger Seo says: July 31, 2010 at 3:58 am thanks for tutorial Reply 35. helmikuu says: September 24, 2010 at 8:23 am WoW! I like it. Very nice tutorial. Reply 36. Website Facility says: October 20, 2010 at 6:30 am This is really good, thank you very much for sharing. Reply 37. ALI SHAHAB says: October 26, 2010 at 10:51 am Sir, you will give me some illustrator works so i am practice illustrator software. Thanking You. Reply 38. Alicia says: December 6, 2010 at 8:55 pm Thanks for another awesome tutorial:) Reply 39. Holly Day says: January 6, 2011 at 5:35 pm Gosh! I have a thing with strawberries and desperately needed a tutorial on how to create a strawberry to illustrate my strawberry pages. Six months later, while looking for a Valentine related tutorial, I find this one! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Reply 40. Joao says: January 9, 2011 at 1:53 pm Hi there, I’m a beginner in AI and I can’t do effect PATHFINDER > MINUS FRONT. I’m using CS5 and doesn’t appear MINUS FRONT in EFFECTS>PAHFINDER, onlu MINUS BACK. Another doubt I have is when I have an object selected and do pathfinder>some effect it pop ups a message: pathfinder effects should usually be applied to groups, layers or types of objects. This may not have any effect on current selection. Can you please help me? Reply 41. Enric says: January 16, 2011 at 10:16 am Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I’m a newbie of Illustrator and I’m learning a lot from your tutorials ;) Reply 42. SammaLamma says: January 29, 2011 at 3:05 pm Thank you so much for this excellent tutorial. I am a total beginner trying to learn Illustrator in a large classroom setting at a community college. The instructor is very soft-spoken, goes very fast and will not stop for questions so when I can’t hear her or get lost on one little step I am pretty much lost for the rest of the class. Super-frustrating. I was feeling really discouraged, but this morning l I found and patiently worked through the tutorial steps for the strawberry, and I am already feeling so much better! These are really thorough and helpful and I am going to do all of them. Thanks for not leaving out any little steps that a beginner might not know. Oh my goodness I am so relieved and grateful. Thank you!!! Reply 43. Sahithi says: February 22, 2011 at 1:11 pm Loved the tutorial!!! 5 stars to the design. Looks so delicious Reply 44. Usman says: March 16, 2011 at 4:07 pm nice one, thanks very much always like to make new brushes, save too much time Reply 45. Web Design Hyderabad says: May 11, 2011 at 8:40 pm Now thats a mouth watering strawberry. I simple love this tutorial. Thanks for this Reply 46. Katy says: July 11, 2011 at 4:11 pm Great!! Thank you very much! :D Reply 47. Ramel de la Cruz says: July 22, 2011 at 11:20 am Mouthwatering tutorial! Easy to follow and very nice concepts. No wonder that until now, this post receives so many comments. Reply 48. Ankara Nargile says: August 8, 2011 at 7:33 am Nice sharing.thank you very much Reply 49. MOZO says: August 20, 2011 at 12:53 am Thanks for the tutorial. I was great help in addind to my drawing skills. Reply 50. rajesh says: August 26, 2011 at 10:08 pm hi man it is very cool tutorials thanks man Reply 51. caro says: October 22, 2011 at 10:33 pm Thank you for this great tutorial! Ima do this tomorrow for sure and I will learn a lot from it! Thanks a lot for sharing this for free. ;) Reply 52. Word Counter says: November 12, 2011 at 10:41 pm Very clear, step by step illustrator tutorial! I have created my own mouth watering strawberry, but cant eat it.. :) Reply 53. Manuel says: December 21, 2011 at 2:54 am Thank you for the tutorial. It was very clear. Reply 54. Lara says: January 24, 2012 at 5:09 pm Hey guys, I lover this tutorial, butt I was trying to do it but when it comes to “unite all the leaves” all the leaves deform, can someone help me? Reply 55. Lara says: January 24, 2012 at 5:13 pm hey guys problems solved :D thank u, the strawberry looks delicious Reply 56. JayJay the JrsPlane says: January 29, 2012 at 5:55 pm This tutorial kicked my butt. I felt like I had a learning disability. Reply 57. seeta says: March 13, 2012 at 1:57 am osam it is :) thanks a ton foe sharing with us :) Reply 58. Ara says: July 22, 2012 at 3:47 am Why can’t I send the object in Step 12 backwards? What’s wrong?? Reply 59. Kelly T says: October 26, 2012 at 5:23 pm This is a great tutorial, I’m a graphic design student but I really haven’t learned enough about vector art and I have found this to be very helpful in the learning process. Thank you so much, very good tutorial and easy to follow even for me which I am not very experienced yet. Reply Trackbacks/Pingbacks 1. 100 Fresh New Photoshop And Illustrator Tutorials | Creative Nerds says: February 14, 2010 at 5:05 pm [...] 17. Create A Mouthwatering Chocolate Covered Strawberry [...] Reply 2. Create A Mouthwatering Chocolate Covered Strawberry In Illustrator | Design Newz says: February 16, 2010 at 7:31 am [...] Create A Mouthwatering Chocolate Covered Strawberry In Illustrator [...] Reply 3. 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