Build a Character in Illustrator
Exploring Ideas
This section explores the criteria "Explore the visual arts practices and styles as inspiration to develop a personal style, explore, express ideas, concepts and themes in art works(VCAVAE040)Explore how artists manipulate materials, techniques, technologies and processes to develop and express their intentions in art works (VCAVAE041)."
Finding Inspiration
This section explores the criteria "Analyse and interpret artworks to explore the different forms of expression, intentions and viewpoints of artists and how they are viewed by audiences(VCAVAR045)Analyse, interpret and evaluate a range of visual artworks from different cultures, historical and contemporary contexts, including artworks by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to explore differing viewpoints (VCAVAR046)"
Types of drawing
This section explores the criteria "Select and manipulate materials, techniques, and technologies and processes in a range of art forms to express ideas, concepts and themes (VCAVAV042)Conceptualise, plan and design art works that express ideas, concepts and artistic intentions (VCAVAV043)."
Exploring techniques
This section explores the criteria "plan and make their art works in response to exploration of techniques, technologies and processes used in the work of other artists. They demonstrate the use of materials, techniques, processes, visual conventions and technologies to express ideas and convey meaning in their artworks."
Refining project
This section explores all the criteria, reworking, reassessing, considering intent, concept and technique.
Final outcome and character backstory
This section explores the criteria "Create, present, analyse and evaluate displays of artwork considering how ideas can be conveyed to an audience (VCAVAP044)."
VCD- Introduction to Illustrator, Create a cute panda bear face
Learning Intention: You will learn (or revise)
1. Explore the interface of Illustrator
2. Get familiar with key tools
3. Draw a panda face
Success Criteria: You can
1. Use basic shapes, pen tool, gradients and artboards
2. Use these tools when you draw the panda face in the tute below
3. Use the same tools to draw the body of the panda after completing the panda face tute
In this lesson you will be introduced to Illustrator. Illustrator is part of the Adobe Suite of programs, here is a quick insight into what it can do:
Before we get started, think about the main tools for this unit and which ones you have experience with, and which ones you will learn:
(Teachers you can use this as a diagnostic assessment on a whiteboard and ask students to indicate what their skill level is by adding a cross or post it note)
| My understanding | Basic shapes | Pen tool | Gradients | Artboards | Brushes |
| I have a very good understanding | |||||
| I have some understanding | |||||
| I can learn this |
Illustrator is an industry standard software and it has many uses. You won’t use all of them for each project, but I have made a video to show you the main tools that you will need to complete your character development following the process outlined in this course. View it here:
Now that you have an idea of the fun stuff that Illustrator can do and where to find the important parts, it’s time to dive into the program. To get to grips with the vector selection tools, check this video out.
Here is your first Illustrator Tutorial: http://vectips.com/tutorials/create-a-cute-panda-bear-face-icon/ this is a text based tutorial, and ideally the teacher should demonstrate how to do each step as the class goes along and starts to feel more confident with the program and process.
Note to teachers: students will usually need some help with the pathfinder tool and the gradient tool. After they have finished the panda head, ask them to extend their learning by using the same tools to complete the panda’s body.
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