Drawing Outer Space in Adobe Illustrator

Drawing Outer Space in Adobe Illustrator. In this short lesson we will learn how to create a simple cosmic background. Let’s start with creating a gradient grid, then use the Symbol Sprayer tool to draw the stars and at the end, applying a simple radial gradient, a multi-colored planet. This is a great lesson for beginners who want to learn more about blending modes, symbols and gradient mesh. So, let’s begin!

Step 1

Create a new document of any size. Select the RGB color mode so that you can see the colors and create a shine. Draw a rectangle or square and fill it with black (R = 0 G = 0 B = 0).

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Step 2

On top of this rectangle draw a new rectangle. And then open the Object menu and execute the Create Gradient Grid command. In the dialog box that opens, set the number of rows – 8, and the columns – 4. If you want to use many colors, specify more rows and columns. I want to use only purple and blue shades, so I left the number of cells minimal.

Step 3

Using the Direct Selection tool, select several control points and drag them along the rectangle. I dragged the left and right columns of control points to the sides.

Step 4

While holding down the Shift key, use the Direct Selection tool (A) to select several anchor points. Without removing the selection from the points, select the desired color in the corresponding palette and deselect it. Select a few more points, select a different color and do the same. As a result, you should get something like the picture below. In some places, leave black. Then your background will look more like outer space.

Step 5

If you have finished painting a gradient grid, select it using the Selection tool (V) and open the Appearance palette (Window> Appearance). At the bottom of the palette, click the Add New Effect button (fx ) and select Deformation> Fisheye from the list. Bending I asked 84%. To choose the most suitable strain for the image, look at your document. To do this, check the box next to the View command.

Step 6

Without removing the selection from the gradient grid, in the Appearance palette, open the Opacity settings and set the Opacity to 10%.

Step 7

Turn on the Ellipse tool (L) and draw a circle. It should be twice as large as the stars that you draw. Fill the circle with a radial gradient (colors – from black to white). Open the Gradient palette (Window> Gradient) and set the settings so that the white color forms a white dot in the center. In the figure below, my settings. Open the Symbols palette (Window> Symbols) and drag the circle to the palette.

Step 8

After selecting the symbol, turn on the Symbol Sprayer tool (Shift + S) and spray the stars around the document. I sprayed on the outer edge of the image to make room for the planet. The characters form a group. So when you finish spraying the stars, select them with the Selection tool (V) and go to the Appearance palette. In the Opacity settings, select the blending mode – Clarity of the base and Opacity of 30%.

Step 9

Without removing the selection from the stars, at the bottom of the Appearance palette, click the Add new effect (fx ) button , select the Warp and then bloat. Bending I set 75%. To set the most appropriate number, look at your work. To do this, check the box next to the View command. Some stars will be outside the image. Change their size so that they do not go beyond the bounds of the rectangle we created in Step 1.

Step 10

Turn on the Ellipse tool (L) and draw a large circle in the center of the image. Fill it with a radial gradient (color – from white to black). Go to the Gradient palette (Window> Gradient) and set the settings so that in the middle the black dot turns out, and on the outer edge of the circle was a pure white color. In the figure below, my settings.

Step 12

To end the planet, at the bottom of the Appearance palette, click the Add new effect button and select Stylize> External Glow. I set the opacity to 100%, blur 50 pixels. Overlay mode, select Normal and press OK.

Step 13

Copy the stars (Ctrl + C), then double-click the circle of the planet. Glue the stars with the combination Ctrl + F and, without removing the selection from them, at the bottom of the Appearance palette, click the Add new effect ( fx ) button. Select the Deformation command and then Fish eye from the list. Set the Opacity to 80%.

Step 14

Copy the circle of the planet (Ctrl + C) and paste it before the second group of stars (Ctrl + F). Select the stars and the planet and create a clipping mask (Ctrl + 7). To return to the main image, double-click the document.

Conclusion

We drew the background. You can add a few more stars, a few planets and draw objects or creatures. I hope you enjoyed the lesson.