Designing Your Own Online Avatar

Introduction

• Welcome

1. Tracing the Base Path Outlines

• Preparing a photographic tracing template
• Tracing eyes with the Ellipse tool
• Tracing features with the Pen tool
• Drawing asymmetrical facial features
• New ways to draw in Illustrator CC
• Using the new and improved Pencil tool
• Roughing in hair and other complex features

2. Refining and Developing Your Paths

• Reshaping paths to enhance their accuracy
• Assembling and exaggerating eyes
• Reflecting and joining symmetrical shapes
• Separating and enlarging a face
• Establishing variety with stroke attributes

3. Coloring and Shading the Avatar

• Coloring areas with Pathfinder operations
• Coloring areas with the Live Paint Bucket
• Independently scaling facial features
• Updating a photographic template
• Shading a face to match a photograph
• Editing paths inside a clipping group
• Adding additional shading

4. Adding Gradients and Patterns

• Shading a face with gradients
• Assigning a gradient stroke
• Creating a seamless fabric texture
• Customizing a predefined pattern
• Designing a custom crosshatch pattern
• Combining gradients with crosshatching
• Adjusting crosshatching to suit filled paths
• Repositioning patterns inside paths

5. Adding Expression and Personality

• Curling a neutral lip into a wry smile
• Adding playful smile lines
• Clearing guides and arching eyebrows
• Adding selective wrinkle lines

6. Exporting the Final Image

• Saving a universally compatible PNG file

Conclusion

• Until next time