Create Abstract Background with Blend Tool in Adobe Illustrator
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Creating a New Document
- Creating the Background
- Creating the Wavy Lines
- Blending the Wavy Lines
- Applying a Spine to the Blended Object
- Adding Color to the Blended Object
- Modifying the Blended Object
- Adding Color to the Other Wavy Line
- Conclusion
Introduction
In this Tutorial, we will explore the process of creating graphic elements that Resemble colored waves using only the Blend and Gradient tools. We will start by creating a new document and setting up the background. Then, we will proceed to create wavy lines and blend them together to create an interesting Shape. Next, we will add a spine to the blended object to give it a more dynamic appearance. After that, we will apply color to the blended object using the gradient tool. Finally, we will explore how to modify the blended object and add color to the remaining wavy line. Let's get started!
Creating a New Document
To begin, open the Adobe Illustrator and create a new document. The size of the artboard can vary depending on your preferences. For this tutorial, we will use a size of 1920 by 1080 pixels. Once the document is created, proceed to the next step.
Creating the Background
Now, let's create the background for our graphic. Select the Rectangle Tool from the toolbar and draw a rectangle that covers the entire artboard. To give it a gradient color, select the Gradient Tool and choose two gradient colors. For example, you can use e9018b for the first color and 2d9av5 for the Second color. Set the angle of the gradient to minus 45 degrees. Once you are satisfied with the gradient, lock the layer where the background is drawn and create a new layer for the next steps. This will help with organizing our objects.
Creating the Wavy Lines
In this step, we will create two wavy lines that will be blended together. Select the Pen Tool from the toolbar and start drawing a wavy line by creating anchor points and adjusting the handles. To create a smooth and organic curve, drag the handle down about 45 degrees to the right for each anchor point. Continue creating the line until you reach the desired length. To create the second wavy line, duplicate the first line by holding the Alt key (Windows) and dragging it down. You can create variations in the second line if desired. Once the lines are created, set the stroke to 5 points and round cap on the stroke panel.
Blending the Wavy Lines
It's time to blend the two wavy lines together to create a more interesting shape. Select both lines and go to the Object menu, then choose Blend and Make. This will create the blend between the two lines. However, at this stage, the blend might still look flat. We need to adjust the blend options to achieve the desired effect. Double click the Blend Tool icon on the toolbar or go to the Object menu, then choose Blend and Blend Options. In the Blend Options panel, change the spacing to a specified distance and set the value to one pixel. Leave the orientation as it is and click OK.
Applying a Spine to the Blended Object
To further enhance the shape of our graphic, we will apply a spine to the blended object. Select the Pen Tool again and draw a line that resembles the letter "S." The trick to creating a smooth and organic curved line is to start by creating an anchor point and pulling down the Cursor about 45 degrees in the direction of the line. Continue creating the line until you reach the desired shape. Once the line is drawn, select both the blended object and the new line, then go to the Object menu, choose Blend, and Replace Spine. This will merge the new line with the blended object and give it a more dynamic appearance.
Adding Color to the Blended Object
Now, let's add some color to our blended object. Double-click on the blended object to enter the isolation mode, where you can modify the objects within it. In the isolation mode, you will see three lines: the first two wavy lines created for blending and the third wavy line created as a spine. You can edit each line separately using the Direct Selection Tool. To add color, select one of the lines and apply a gradient color. You can select the line directly on the artboard or in the layer panel. To access the gradient panel, go to the Window menu and choose Gradient. In the gradient panel, you can add colors by selecting the color stops and using the color picker. You can also duplicate color stops by holding the Alt key and dragging them to a new position. Continue adding colors to the gradient slider until you are satisfied with the result.
Modifying the Blended Object
After adding color to the blended object, you can further modify it to achieve different results. You can move, resize, or rotate the object to create variations. Experiment with different transformations until you find the desired effect. Don't be afraid to try different combinations and see how they affect the overall composition. Remember, the blend tool offers endless possibilities for creating unique graphic elements.
Adding Color to the Other Wavy Line
Lastly, let's add color to the remaining wavy line. Instead of opening the gradient panel and adding color manually, we can use the Eyedropper Tool to select a color from the gradient we created earlier. Simply select the line and use the Eyedropper Tool to choose the desired color. This will give the line a gradient color that matches the rest of the composition. Again, feel free to modify the line by moving, resizing, or rotating it to achieve different results.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we have explored the process of creating graphic elements using the Blend and Gradient tools in Adobe Illustrator. We started by creating a new document and setting up the background. Then, we created wavy lines and blended them together to create an interesting shape. We applied a spine to the blended object to give it a more dynamic appearance and added color using the gradient tool. Lastly, we modified the blended object and added color to the remaining wavy line. Remember, this tutorial provides a basic concept, and there are endless possibilities for creating graphic elements using the blend tool. Don't hesitate to experiment and let your creativity flow.