Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
GRAHAM
Cheryl Graham
Cheryl Graham drew this self-portrait based on a reference photo she
simplified with Image Trace. After placing the photo in Illustrator, she
opened the Image Trace panel and, from Preset, chose Shades of Gray.
Graham enabled Preview to see the effects as she adjusted settings until
paths and corners were simple and there were just a handful of grays. With
Preview selected, her setting was automatically applied when she closed
the Image Trace window. Graham placed this version in a locked layer as a
template to trace over; she also kept a copy of the original photo on her
artboard as an additional reference. She created a dark global color so she
would be able to specify various tints of the color as she drew. Graham
double-clicked on the Blob Brush tool and, in the Blob Brush Options, she
set Fidelity and Smoothness at their lowest settings (in
CC
she adjusts only
Fidelity, to most Accurate), specified an 8-pt brush size with an 8-pt
variation, and selected Pressure. In the Color panel, Graham specified a
10% tint of the global color and with the Blob Brush drew in the lightest
values. She repeated the process using progressively darker tints, making a
separate layer for each tint and gradually building the portrait (
Progressively
Occasionally she increased or decreased the Blob Brush size with the [ ]
keys. While Graham drew, she kept an enlarged Navigator panel open
