Illustrator Gradient Mesh - realistic vector illustrations

The Illustrator gradient mesh is often ignored because it can be unwieldy and confusing to use at first. If you persevere though it is incredibly useful, and some great effects can be achieved. This is my attempt to get to grips with it by creating an illustration of a metallic fishing lure for a design project. As the timelapse progresses it is clear where I change my mind about one method and try another. For example, gradient mesh was great for the body, but was unnecessary for the eye. Highlights were made with feathered, semi-transparent lines.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• adobe
• cs3
• illustrator
• gradient
• mesh
• timelapse
• realistic
• illustration
• vector
• graphic
• design

[jopa5800]

Useless without sound. Sorry, but all tutorials that try to teach something by only showing it in fast motion will fail - they are a waste of time for both the producer and the recipient.

[rotbed]

Sorry to let you down so badly. I'll try to do better next time.

[1nzm1]

Anyhow work is excellent. u got 10/10

[rotbed]

Thanks for the feedback - appreciated

[cubillingui]

why do stupid people watch things they don't want to see???

[treplovski]

I've been using Illustrator since 1988 but have only been tentatively experimenting with the gradient mesh tool in the six months or so. Since I have 2 decades of experience with the program I found this tutorial extremely helpful, but if you're still a relative newcomer, it's going to be baffling or intimidating. Best advice I can give: start with simple shapes, experiment, and keep backups. You'll get it.

[asgharjigar]

what a waste of bandwidth

[mojama7]

great but too fast

[creamofbeats]

This video is way to fast! Who can keep up with it? Please slow them down and add some sound.

[mankeisham]

thank you! its very useful.. i know that

and i don't mind no audio.. i just need to look at the screen most of the time..

but still.. i think it is way too fast...i needed to pause --->play---> rewind---> play ---> rewind ---> play to make sure one step....isnt' it too much rewinds for 1 step?

[anivad55]

Thanks for your effort rotbed but it would have been so much better with audio

[Militia7]

why do people make these kinds of tuts?!

[animation1001]

A mad must have must made this tutorial

[mtdw]

i'm a marine biologist this tutorial was very useful