Vector silhouettes are a powerful design element that can add depth and dimension to any vector landscape silhouette project. With the help of Adobe Illustrator, creating vector silhouettes has become easier and more accessible than ever before. In this project, we will explore the process of building vector silhouettes in Adobe Illustrator, including the tools and techniques required to create stunning designs. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced designer, this project will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to take your vector silhouette creations to the next level. So, let’s dive in and get started!
Building Atmospheric Perspective
An artist can build atmospheric perspective into an illustration by using color values. As objects are further from the viewer, their tones will get closer, fooling the viewer into believing there is an atmosphere in the distance. This means that objects in the foreground will have more saturated and brighter colors, while background objects will have less saturated and duller colors. Additionally, an artist can use overlapping, layering, and transparency to create the illusion of depth in an illustration. Using these techniques, an artist can create a sense of distance and depth in their artwork, making it more visually appealing and engaging.
Learning Targets
- I can create and stack simple shapes to create the illusion of spatial depth.
- I can use tints, tones, and shades of colors to create a feeling of depth in an illustration.
Creative Direction
In this project, you will build a simple vector landscape silhouette. Your image should have a foreground, middle ground, and background. You should sketch a rough idea on paper or digitally and place the image in the background. Or, create a Photoshop composite and then work over the image using vector tools. Ultimately, the goal is to create the illusion of spatial depth in a vector landscape silhouette illustration. You can use the videos below to help you understand how to build a simple landscape and then have fun creating your version.
Design Specifications
Document Setup
- 12” x 8” (3:2 aspect ratio)
- Landscape Orientation
Design Constraints
- Only trace over images available on Free Stock Photography websites or Public Domain sources.
- There are no raster images allowed in the final product.
Design Submission
- Save a copy of your file as a PDF. Lastname, Firstname – Landscape.pdf
Use the following videos to help you understand the process.
tutvid. (2017, October 15). Purple polar bear silhouette vector illustration in Adobe Illustrator [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l5h5eZgJag
tutvid. (2017, April 7). Animal silhouette moonlight vector illustration [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/RtnCn65MdN0?si=4u86LlfR9rOCo7G3
mawdez. (2021, Apr 1). Hikers on a cliff adventure [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/9RIpFZbVv08?si=cj_c_aGPnTld6-Id
mawdez. (2021, Apr 8). Night landscape view textured effect vector illustration tutorial [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Y_yHUkP54b0?si=EVwUAcoSjOOIoUzt
References
Grammarly. (2023). Grammarly (Dec 5 version) [Large language model]. https://app.grammarly.com/
Prompts I wrote
– “How can an artist build atmospheric perspective into an illustration?”
