How do i go about drawing this?

[inferlogic]

Hi all,
I am new to this forum so Hi everyone, and I have a quick question. Basically I am doing a job for someone and they have drawn me a rough sketch. and this is how they want it. As you can see on the jpeg there is a cherub and a border round it. the Cherub is his logo which i have, but I am struggling with this border round it. I can see a few bows on it and some kind of floral shape at the top and apparently it has to be just like that. How do i go about drawing this so it looks the same but is a nice clean border? I can vector fine but I cannot hand draw very well. So if anyone has any ideas please let me know.

Thank you
Tazzy

[fredrich]

I guess you have to use the pen tool in Illustrator and form the curves with that to get the cleanest possible illustration. And since it is only a rough sketch, you may not want to draw exactly what he sketched up for you, but something along the lines of it.

[inferlogic]

Hi Fredrich
thanks for your reply, I acctualy trace better in Corel Draw so probably what i am better doing is using a single stroke to create the curves then import into adobe and adding some kind of graphic style to thicken the curves in different places I am guessing.

[PrintDriver]

Either find a 'clip art' border that you can scavenge parts from
or learn to draw.
You need to incorporate the style of the cherub into the border.

'Graphic Designers' who can't hand draw are as handicapped as 'Web Site Designers' who can't code. You have to rely on software and scavenged parts. Not very creative.

[inferlogic]

Hi printdriver
I completely agree with you, the inability to draw is my biggest downside, and if I could draw I could be so much better at my job!! Is there anything you can suggest to get me on the right tracks for learning to hand draw properly? See I thought it was a natural thing to be able to draw, but i believe it probably can be taught. So are there any good tutorials for this sort of thing?

Thanks

[Typically]

take a class at your local community college. they offer drawing classes for cheap usally. i learned a lot from drawing classes

[Logo-Mechanix]

Being able to draw is a big help but you can get by without being a master like Typically advised I would take some drawing classes at your community college you would be surprised how much you can learn in one of these if you are a beginner.

[gobes]

Import the image into Illustrator, Coral Draw or whatever. Then just trace over it with the pen tool. Then spend some time cleaning it all up. There is not really an easier way. Could try a live trace - but probably won't be of much use.

[PrintDriver]

Get this first:
http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-right-Brain-Betty-Edwards/dp/0874775132/ref=sr_1_4/104-0555865-6954330?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177692482&sr=1-4
Then take a course if you have to.

There's a new version out too with a workbook. I haven't reviewed it but I know the program in the first book does produce results that only get better with practice.

[Navian]

Hi printdriver
I completely agree with you, the inability to draw is my biggest downside, and if I could draw I could be so much better at my job!! Is there anything you can suggest to get me on the right tracks for learning to hand draw properly? See I thought it was a natural thing to be able to draw, but i believe it probably can be taught. So are there any good tutorials for this sort of thing?

Thanks

The only reason why you "have" an inability to draw, is because someone must have told you that when you where younger.

Anyone can draw, it is just how they where influenced by others.

You are believing that you can't draw, because that is what they told you.

If you ignore what those people have told you, and reverse your thinking "I can draw", you will be able to accomplish it.

So, just do it. Pick up a pencil/pen, paper and start drawing. If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.

;)

[jessicam]

PD, glad to hear that that book is reccomended. I am working through it and hopefully improving my current bottom-shelf drawing skills.

[cornfed]

Drawing is a lot about practice. Your skills really improve as you go along. I recommend purchasing some sketch books and filling them up! After you've filled a few, go back and peruse your first ones and see how much you've improved!

[Typically]

i love going through my old sketch books! i find random bits of stuff that i forgot about. i can also remember where i was when i was drawing which can be good and bad =] it is all about practice get some good pencils and a good eraser and just have fun

[cornfed]

...and a stump!! I love my blending stump! I have stumps in my car, in my purse, on my counter....whenever I need one all I pretty much have to do is look down. I also keep a little sketch book in my purse for quick doodles and such. That way, whenever I feel the urge, I can just do it!

[Typically]

good call! totally forgot about those i usually just use my finger or a piece of paper towel i have laying around because im to lazy to dig them out of my artbox

[budafist]

...and a stump!! I love my blending stump! I have stumps in my car, in my purse, on my counter....whenever I need one all I pretty much have to do is look down. I also keep a little sketch book in my purse for quick doodles and such. That way, whenever I feel the urge, I can just do it!

I read that as: I love my bleeding stump.

Thought cornfed was one crazy sicko for a moment there.

[cornfed]

oh, fear not, I love my bleeding stump, too!

[scuppalily]

If you are drawing this on adobe illustrator you can just import the sketch, lock it in place, trace over it with the pencil tool, and then apply an effect to it from one of the brush libraries. Those effects can really make a rough sketch look like finished artwork. I personally hate the pen tool on illustrator, I find it hard to work with. If you think that you will be doing a lot of illustration on the computer, I would suggest getting one of those pens that you plug into the computer and use instead of a mouse (I cant think of what they are really called), they make digital illustration 100 times easier.

[PrintDriver]

Letting a brush do ALL the work doesn't always look quite right. And editting a brush stroke sux after you expand it. Too many nodes.

And always remember your end use. Some of those brushes leave scattered bits all over the place so be sure you aren't ever getting your icon/logo/poster/sign done in cut vinyl. Or if you are, you choose your brush wisely.

[morea]

the pen tool in Illustrator can be quite simple once you devote some time to familiarizing yourself with it.

[inferlogic]

Wow some really heavy advice from you guys. some real encouragment and your right if you want to do something you have to learn to do it. I think i will have a look at that book that Print driver recommended and start from there because you gotta start somewhere. drawing can't be that difficult its just takes time and practice. So thanks everyone for the advise given to me!

[panzer]

yes i have just ordered that book

always wanted to draw