Adobe Illustrator CS5 One-on-One

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LINES, SHAPES, AND COLOR

THE FUNDAMENTALS of any

illustration are lines, shapes, and colors.

These are the elements that define your art-

work—whatever it may be—and it’s their

interaction that creates the final composi-

tion. Even the most complex art starts with

these basic elements, as shown in Figure 2-1.

Not surprisingly, Illustrator gives you a

host of ways to create and manipulate these

basic elements. Illustrator has five dedicated

tools for creating lines (or in the case of two

tools, groups of lines) and six for shapes.

But things don’t end there. Once you’ve

drawn these building blocks, Illustra-

tor gives you tools to split apart the

lines and shapes and stitch them back

together. You can layer simple lines and

shapes on top of one another to create

more complex art, even applying discrete

strokes and fills to each element. Like

Dr. Frankenstein, you can combine

all these pieces into one singular

creation, with Illustrator as your

faithful Igor. (It’s my job to help

make sure your creation won’t be

chased by an angry mob with torches.)

Figure 2-1.

Lines and shapes create the

boundaries of the art...

Color adds depth

and detail...

...all working together to

create the final illustration.

Original illustration by Ant Creations

from iStockphoto.com.

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