The iPod Lady - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Nancy · 03-12-2005, 03:08 PM

This girl is one of the things I'm currently working on:

I'm working on a magazine project this week and couldn't come up with a proper Illustration for the iPod article so I thought I might as well make my own

I'm almost done with her but I want to add some extra shadows to her lips and eye lids only I can't remember how to do it (it's been a while since I've used Illustrator). I've been looking for sites with great tips, tutorials and trick in Illustrator but so far no luck. Does any of you guys know a great site?

thanks!

doodlebird · 03-13-2005, 09:28 AM

there is a command to make a drop shadow, but i hate messing with the numbers.

here are the mac commands i use to fake a shadow:
apple-c (copy the piece you want a shadow of)
apple-b (paste that copy behind the original)
use the arrow key to move to desired position
change fill color to black, or darker version of original color,
reduce transparency to somewhere between 30 and 50.

hope that helps.

doodle.

doodlebird · 03-13-2005, 09:29 AM

oops. i forgot to compliment you on the lady.
i like the angularity and simplicity of it.
parts of it are bordering on cubism (which i love)
i'd shorten up her eyes a little bit, though.

all that being said,
i don't think the lips or eyes need shadows.
it's ready for publication as is.

doodle.

Zephyr66 · 03-13-2005, 11:47 AM

Awesome art nancy, but something about her left arm looks odd to me.

Redjake · 03-13-2005, 06:14 PM

Looks really good. I'd say it's ready for publication as well!

kramus · 03-13-2005, 09:11 PM

I work with the program everyday but just as a mechanic, getting files ready to print - no joy here. But the lady is very fine

GoldenOuroboros · 03-14-2005, 02:36 PM

bit different to the usual 'ipod' artwork I've seen around, most have copied the ads with the black silhouettes, good to see something a little different

clavus · 03-15-2005, 09:18 AM

Strong work, as always. I like her just as she is.

frogza · 03-15-2005, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doodlebird

there is a command to make a drop shadow, but i hate messing with the numbers.

here are the mac commands i use to fake a shadow:
apple-c (copy the piece you want a shadow of)
apple-b (paste that copy behind the original)
use the arrow key to move to desired position
change fill color to black, or darker version of original color,
reduce transparency to somewhere between 30 and 50.

hope that helps.

doodle.

Apply a gaussion blur to that and you've got yourself a great shadow. Although I usually use a darker tone of the background color instead of black, it seems to work better when printed.

dobster · 03-31-2005, 06:46 PM

Hey Nance. Some tips for yer. Check this out and see if you like:

For the eye, I made an eyelid shape and used the same gradient as on the face but just reversed the direction.

For the lips, I copied the shape and cut a portion of each lip. Then I did a gradient that used the original lip colour and a darker version of the same colour (only adjust the 'k' or black bar if you're using CMYK). Lay the lip portions over the original lips and just adjust the angle and the gradient positions until the seam (or join) disappears.

Hope thats useful.

Nancy · 03-31-2005, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenOuroboros

bit different to the usual 'ipod' artwork I've seen around, most have copied the ads with the black silhouettes, good to see something a little different

My teacher thought so as well and was very impressed with my work

Nancy · 03-31-2005, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doodlebird

oops. i forgot to compliment you on the lady.
i like the angularity and simplicity of it.
parts of it are bordering on cubism (which i love)
i'd shorten up her eyes a little bit, though.

all that being said,
i don't think the lips or eyes need shadows.
it's ready for publication as is.

doodle.

I hear ya regarding the cubism - I tend to get tired of smooth curves so I change my style once in a while

Thanks for the compliments and the tip about drop shadow, dear doole! I published her just as she is in this picture because I was (AM!) 98% satisfied with how she looks + I simply ran out of time, heh. I will, however, try adding some drop shadow to her eyes just to see if it'll improve it

Nancy · 03-31-2005, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dobster

Hey Nance. Some tips for yer. Check this out and see if you like:

For the eye, I made an eyelid shape and used the same gradient as on the face but just reversed the direction.

For the lips, I copied the shape and cut a portion of each lip. Then I did a gradient that used the original lip colour and a darker version of the same colour (only adjust the 'k' or black bar if you're using CMYK). Lay the lip portions over the original lips and just adjust the angle and the gradient positions until the seam (or join) disappears.

Hope thats useful.

hahahah awesome illustration of your tips dear dobster!

I do ocasionally use the same eyelid trick as you because I like the cartoony effect a lot. However the shadow effect I wanted to add to her eyelid is a special trick I found in an Illustrator book at school. I'll pick it up next week, add the shadow and show it to you

Nancy · 03-31-2005, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogza

Apply a gaussion blur to that and you've got yourself a great shadow. Although I usually use a darker tone of the background color instead of black, it seems to work better when printed.

gaussan blur huh? Hmm I've never tried that one.... gotta try that one the next time I'm fooling around with shadow effects

03-12-2005, 03:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Nancy Femme Fatale Location: Elysium	The iPod Lady This girl is one of the things I'm currently working on: I'm working on a magazine project this week and couldn't come up with a proper Illustration for the iPod article so I thought I might as well make my own I'm almost done with her but I want to add some extra shadows to her lips and eye lids only I can't remember how to do it (it's been a while since I've used Illustrator). I've been looking for sites with great tips, tutorials and trick in Illustrator but so far no luck. Does any of you guys know a great site? thanks! __________________ I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

03-13-2005, 06:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	Looks really good. I'd say it's ready for publication as well! __________________ Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

03-13-2005, 09:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
kramus loving the curves Location: my Lady's manor	I work with the program everyday but just as a mechanic, getting files ready to print - no joy here. But the lady is very fine __________________ And now to disengage the clutch of the forebrain ... I'm going with this - if you like artwork visit http://markfineart.ca

03-14-2005, 02:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
GoldenOuroboros The Cheshire Grin... Location: An Aussie Outback	bit different to the usual 'ipod' artwork I've seen around, most have copied the ads with the black silhouettes, good to see something a little different __________________ Can you see me grin grin grrriiiiinnnning?!

03-15-2005, 09:18 AM	#8 (permalink)
clavus pow! Location: NorCal	Strong work, as always. I like her just as she is. __________________ Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

03-13-2005, 09:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
doodlebird pío pío Location: on a branch about to break	there is a command to make a drop shadow, but i hate messing with the numbers. here are the mac commands i use to fake a shadow: apple-c (copy the piece you want a shadow of) apple-b (paste that copy behind the original) use the arrow key to move to desired position change fill color to black, or darker version of original color, reduce transparency to somewhere between 30 and 50. hope that helps. doodle.

03-13-2005, 09:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
doodlebird pío pío Location: on a branch about to break	oops. i forgot to compliment you on the lady. i like the angularity and simplicity of it. parts of it are bordering on cubism (which i love) i'd shorten up her eyes a little bit, though. all that being said, i don't think the lips or eyes need shadows. it's ready for publication as is. doodle.

03-13-2005, 11:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
Zephyr66 My custom title's the shit! Location: Canada	Awesome art nancy, but something about her left arm looks odd to me.

03-31-2005, 06:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
dobster Insane Location: South London, UK	Hey Nance. Some tips for yer. Check this out and see if you like: For the eye, I made an eyelid shape and used the same gradient as on the face but just reversed the direction. For the lips, I copied the shape and cut a portion of each lip. Then I did a gradient that used the original lip colour and a darker version of the same colour (only adjust the 'k' or black bar if you're using CMYK). Lay the lip portions over the original lips and just adjust the angle and the gradient positions until the seam (or join) disappears. Hope thats useful. __________________ sig-na-ture 1. One's name as written by oneself. 2. The act of signing one's name. 3. A distinctive mark, characteristic, or sound indicating identity.