In today's tutorial we'll draw sketchy weather icons on a paper note with a clip. First we'll illustrate a background with the Appearance panel. Then I'll show you how to create weather symbols and a paper note with a clip. Finally we'll add some text. Let's begin.
Step 1
First of all we should draw the background. We will make it with the help of the Appearance panel. My New document size is 600 x 400px. Now add two new colors to the Swatches Panel. Use the Color panel to set the new color. Then drag and drop this color to the Swatches Panel. We will need these colors for the background.
Take the Rectangle Tool (M) and draw a rectangle with the same dimensions as the Artboard. Fill it with the help of the Gradient as shown in the image below.
Now select this rectangle and go to the Appearance panel. Left click the icon in the upper right corner and select "Add New Fill".
Now you have two Fills. Select bottom one and set new color for it as shown in the image below.
Then select the top Fill and click a little triangle near "Fill" title and properties appears. Click "Opacity" and set Multiply as the Blending Mode.
Step 2
Create a texture. You should Add New Fill.
Then choose a darker color for this Fill.
Go Effect > Stylize > Scribble. Use settings as shown in the image below.
You get the texture after the effect is applied. Set it to Blending Mode Soft Light and Opacity 30% to make the texture softer.
Step 3
Let's draw an incision into the background. Select the Ellipse Tool (L) and draw an ellipse with the radial gradient fill.
Flatten this ellipse using the Free Transform Tool (E).
Then use the Line Segment Tool (\) to draw a line. Select all and cut with the help of the Pathfinder panel. Finally delete the bottom part of the ellipse.
Place the top part of the ellipse above the background. Set to Blending Mode Multiply in the Transparency panel. After that you can create a copy for second incision.
Step 4
Our background is ready. You can create new layer and continue drawing a paper note. Take the Rectangle Tool (M) and draw a square. Fill it with the help of a gradient as shown in the image below. Then take the Convert Anchor Point Tool (Shift + C) and click and drag a little the bottom right corner. We get a rounded corner. After that you should select this square and press hot keys Command + C. Now we have a copy of this shape in the memory. It needs for shadow.
Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to move the bottom corners. The red arrows prompt the direction to move the corners. Now use hot keys Command + B to create a copy of the original square from the memory. I filled it with black to make it clearer.
Step 5
Now create a shadow. Select black shape and double click to activate the Isolation Mode (double click empty place to come back). Fill this shape with help of the linear gradient and set to Blending Mode Multiply and Opacity 50%.
Step 6
Place the paper note with shadow above the background. Second paper note is a copy of the first.
Step 7
Draw the shape of a paper clip. Use the Pen Tool (P) for it.
Step 8
Add some details. Open the Stroke panel and set the Stroke Weight to 8pt with Rounded Caps. Then give the stroke a grey color.
Use hot keys Command + C and Command + F to create a copy at the same place. Set the Stroke Weight to 5pt with a lighter color.
Make a third copy. Set a Stroke Weight to 3pt. Set the stroke to white.
Select all and go Object > Expand to get shapes instead strokes.
Step 9
Now select white top shape of the paper clip. Press Command + C and Command + F to create a copy. Then move it slightly to the right.
Select both white shapes and use the Minus Front command of the Pathfinder panel. Finally group all.
Step 10
Our clip is ready. We can place it above the paper note. Now you should cut this clip. Select the clip and use the Knife Tool. Cut off the top part. Red line shows right place.
Select the part of the paper clip as shown in the image below. Right click your mouse to select Arrange > Send to Back.
Now our paper clip looks much better.
You can also add the shadows. Use a copy of the paper clip for this. Fill the shadow with black and set Opacity 15%. You should cut off top part of the shadow and move slightly to the right.
Step 11
Make the second paper clip using the same technique.
Step 12
Start drawing the weather symbols. Use several Ellipses (L) to get the shape of the cloud. Unite all shapes with the help of the Pathfinder panel.
Step 13
Then you need to make a texture. Draw it with the help of the Blob Brush Tool (Shift + B).
Use hot keys Command + C and Command + V to create three copies. Set them to Blending Mode Multiply in Transparency panel.
Step 14
Place the shape of the cloud above the texture and select all. Go Object > Clipping Mask > Make.
Step 15
Draw the rain. Create an Ellipse (L). Then take the Convert Anchor Point Tool (Shift + C) and click top point of the ellipse. You get an acute angle.
Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to move this point up. And you get the shape of the drop.
Step 16
Make several copies of the drop. Then you should create the Compound Path. Select all and go Object > Compound Path > Make. It needs for the Clipping Mask in next step.
Step 17
Now you can add the texture to the rain with the help of the Clipping Mask (Command + 7) as in Step 14.
It remains to place the cloud and the rain above the paper note.
Step 18
Create a shape of the sun. Take the Polygon Tool and left click of your mouse at any place. Set three sides and click the OK button to create the triangle. Then stretch it.
Draw an ellipse as shown in the image below.
Select the triangle. Take the Rotate Tool (R) and hold down the Alt key. Then left click to the center of the ellipse and the Rotate Panel appears. Set the angle of 45 degrees and press the Copy button.
Then press Ctrl + D several times to repeat this action. In the end select all and use the "Unite" command to merge parts into one shape.
Step 19
Now you can add the texture to the sun with the help of the Clipping Mask as in Step 14. It should be filled with orange.
Place the sun above the second paper note.
Step 20
The second cloud is a copy of the first. But if you make a copy you can see that the cloud is transparent. This must be fixed.
First recolor cloud in a different color. Select this cloud and double click to activate the Isolation Mode. Then select the texture inside the cloud and fill it with light blue.
The cloud is still transparent. Select the shape of the cloud as shown in the image below. This shape is the base of the Clipping Mask.
Now fill this shape with light blue and the cloud is no longer transparent.
Weather symbols are ready.
Step 21
Create the text. It should make a new layer. Write "MONDAY" with the Type Tool (T).
Right click of your mouse and select "Create Outlines" to transform the text into the shapes.
Draw a rectangle under the text (you can use the Draw Behind function for this). Now select all and use the Minus Front command of the Pathfinder panel. The text should disappear and we get a new shape. But we still need a text "MONDAY" for the next steps. That's why you should save a copy of the text before Minus Front command. Use hot keys Command + C as in Step 4 for this.
Select the rectangle and go Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Set properties as shown in the image below.
Now press hot keys Command + F and the text "MONDAY" appears at the same place. Then you should create the Compound Path as in Step 16. Select the text and go Object > Compound Path > Make. Now you can make the Clipping Mask. Select all and go Object > Clipping Mask > Make.
Press again Command + F and you get another copy of the text. Set the Opacity 15% for this copy. Group all (Ctrl + G).
Step 22
Make the text "TUESDAY" using the same technique.
Step 23
Now add the temperature. Draw a small Ellipse (L). Then drag and drop this ellipse to the Brushes panel. Create a Scatter Brush.
Use settings as shown in the image below.
Take the Pencil Tool (N) and draw a zigzag. Then flatten it.
Then select this path and click to the Scatter Brush which we have created. Don't forget go Object > Expand Appearance after that.
We get a line of many circles. I use zoom to see it clearly. You should set Opacity 50% for these shapes. Then right click of your mouse and select Transform > Rotate. Set the angle of 180 degrees and press the Copy button.
Then right click again and select Transform > Reflect. Set properties as shown in the image below and press the Copy button. Group all.
Now we have the base for new Art Brush. Drag and drop it to the Brushes panel. Choose the Art Brush.
Set properties as shown in the image below. Don't forget set the Colorization Method as Tints.
Step 24
Take the Pencil Tool (N) and draw "+18" and "+23". Then select these paths and click to the Art Brush which we have created.
Step 25
Place the temperature above the paper note.
Conclusion
OK, everything is ready. Now Monday is a bad day. It rains cats and dogs as they say in England. And let there will be sunny skies on Tuesday. I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial! Good day and fine weather!
