How to Create a Dancer Using Illustrator CS6, Phantasm CS, VectorScribe and DrawScribe

In this tutorial we will create an abstract background with a dancer’s body using the Phantasm CS and VectorScribe Studio. The combination of the Dynamic Sketch Tool (DrawScribe) with a new feature of gradient on stoke in Adobe Illustrator CS6 can really improve your creative potential. Learn about it after the jump.

Step 1

We begin our tutorial by creating an abstract background which will represent the dance floor lighting. Please note that we will be working in RGB color mode (File > Document Color Mode > RGB color). With the help of the Rectangle Tool (M) create a rectangle filled with black color.

Keeping the rectangle selected, go to Object > Create Gradient Mesh… and set the number of columns and rows in the dialog box.

Select the central mesh points with the help of the Direct Selection Tool (A) and color them with dark shades of blue, purple and yellow.

Step 2

In this step create a few circles with the Ellipse Tool (L) that will have different fills and blend modes. This process is shown in the pictures below.

Step 3

Create a star that has 46 rays using the Dynamic Shapes Tool (VectorScribe Studio). I prefer to use this tool as it allows to dynamically change all the parameters of the shape using the panel(Window > VectorScribe > Dynamic Shapes Panel).

Fill the object with a linear gradient that contains a blue, two black and one yellow slider, then apply the Color Dodge blending mode in the Transparency panel.

You can read full version of this tutorial on AstuteGraphics.com