Sketch is an amazing software package that allows us to create different kinds of vector art. Today you'll be learning how to create simple vector elements, which you're going to integrate into a beautiful and chic scene inspired by the movies "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Roman Holiday". Grab yourself a cup of coffee and let's get started!
1. Create the Eiffel Tower
Step 1
Let's start by creating our artboard. To do this, press A on the keyboard and draw an artboard sized at 850 px by 850 px.
Step 2
Select the Rectangle tool by pressing R on the keyboard (or from the Insert > Shape menu in the top toolbar) and create a rectangle that is the same size as our artboard. Uncheck the borders, and then click on the Fill button and change the color to #C5E9F9, using the Inspector Panel on the right.
Step 3
Pick up the Vector (V) tool and draw a basic Eiffel Tower silhouette—or, more precisely, just a half of it. It doesn't have to be perfect, since the Eiffel Tower will be part of our background skyline.
Step 4
Duplicate this shape by pressing Command-D on the keyboard and Flip Horizontal (Layer > Transform > Flip Horizontal).
Step 5
Move this shape to the right. Make sure that the shapes overlap each other by at least 1 px. Use the image below as a reference.
Step 6
Select both halves and then merge them with Union from the top toolbar.
Step 7
Finally, uncheck the borders and set the color to #A7D9ED using the Inspector Panel on the right.
Name this shape "Eiffel Tower".
2. Create a Cityscape
Step 1
Invoke the Vector (V) tool and draw a shape that will represent the cityscape. Think of this shape as the union of different size buildings and houses. Use the image below as a reference.
Give this shape the name "city".
Step 2
Turn off borders and change the color to #B4E5F7.
Step 3
Let's add some windows. To do that, we'll use different size rectangles. So, choose the Rectangle (R) tool and start creating windows. For the color, use #E4F7FD and turn off borders.
Step 4
Continue drawing windows until you have something like the image below.
Select the "city" shape and all created windows and place them into a group using Command-G on the keyboard. Name this group "cityscape".
3. Draw a Café Terrace
Step 1
Draw a rectangle like in the image below using Rectangle (R). This rectangle will be the terrace floor.
Step 2
Uncheck the borders, click on the Fill button, and switch to Linear Gradient, using the Inspector Panel on the right. Create a Linear Gradient using the following settings:
- 1:
#969696 - 2:
#CDCDCD - 3:
#B0B0B0
Step 3
Let's add a terrace wall. Draw another rectangle using Rectangle (R). Uncheck borders, and for the color use #F2F2F2.
Step 4
Next, draw one small rectangle at the bottom (for the color, use #CBE3FF).
Step 5
Then one at the top of terrace wall. For this one, use #FFFFFF color.
Select all the rectangles and group them (Command-G) into the "terrace" group.
4. Create a Bar Table
Step 1
Grab the Rectangle (R) tool and draw the base of a table. In the Inspector Panel on the right, set the Radius to 22 px.
Step 2
Turn off borders and click on Fill and choose Linear Gradient. Set the left color stop to #DCD0CA and the right one to #918084.
Step 3
Next, draw a table leg using the Rectangle (R) tool. Use #DCD0CA color for the leg.
Step 4
Duplicate (Command-D) the table leg, change the color to #A8959A, and reduce the height as shown in the image below.
Step 5
Enter shape editing mode by pressing Enter on the keyboard, or simply double-click on the rectangle. You will see a round point in each of the corners. Grab the bottom left point and move it up a bit.
Step 6
Create another rectangle on top, and for this one use #6E606B color.
Step 7
Let's add some shadow on top. Pick the Rectangle (R) tool and draw a rectangle that is the same height as the table leg, but half its width. For the color, use #000000.
Step 8
Lower the Opacity of this rectangle to 10%.
Step 9
Now we will create a table top. To do this, grab the Rectangle (R) tool and create a rectangle on top.
Step 10
Change the Fill to Linear Gradient and create a gradient with the following settings for the color stops:
- 1, 7, 11:
#DACEC8 - 2, 8:
#DBCFC9 - 3, 6:
#F1E2D8 - 4:
#DCD0CA - 5:
#DCCFC9 - 9:
#EDDFD5 - 10:
#DED2CB
Step 11
Finally, create one tiny rectangle close to the bottom of the table top. Use #FBF0E2 for the color.
Step 12
Select all the shapes and place them into the "bar table" group using Command-G.
5. Create a Bar Stool
Step 1
First we will create the base of the stool. Grab the Rectangle (R) tool and draw the base. In the Inspector Panel on the right, set the Radius to 22 px.
Step 2
Turn off borders and click on Fill and choose Linear Gradient. Set the left color stop to #918084 and the right to #DCD0CA.
Step 3
Create the stool leg the same way as we did in the previous step for the table leg.
Step 4
We will now create a leg rest on the bar stool. Draw a rounded rectangle using the Rounded (U) tool. Set the Radius to 10 px in the Inspector Panel.
Step 5
Next, create a triangle using Triangle from Insert > Shape.
Step 6
Select both shapes and merge them using Union from the top toolbar. Change the Fill to Linear Gradient. For the left color stop, use #DCD0CA, and for the right, use #C5BAB5.
Step 7
Now let's adjust the gradient. First, move the right color stop to the middle, and then move the left color stop also to the middle.
Step 8
Let's create a seat. Grab the Rectangle (R) tool and draw a seat shape. Use #F5A623 color.
Step 9
Double-click on the rectangle to enter shape editing mode, select the top two points, and set Corners to 14 px in the Inspector Panel.
Step 10
Now let's apply Inner Shadows using the Inspector Panel. We will apply two different inner shadows to add depth. For the first one, use the following settings:
- Color:
#FFFFFF - X: 0 px
- Y: 0 px
- Blur: 2 px
- Alpha: 80%
Step 11
For the second one, use the following settings:
- Color:
#000000 - X: 0 px
- Y: -9 px
- Blur: 9 px
- Alpha: 15%
Step 12
Draw a rectangle at the bottom of the seat and choose Linear Gradient for the Fill. Create a gradient with the following settings for the color stops:
- 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11:
#EFEAE8 - 3, 6:
#FFFFFF - 9:
#F8F6F6
Step 13
Finally, create one tiny rectangle close to the bottom of the seat. Use #D8D8D8 for the color.
Select all the shapes and place them into the "bar stool" group using Command-G. Place the "bar stool" group below the "bar table" group in the Layers List.
Step 14
Use the Oval (O) tool to create a shadow below the stool and the table. Use #000000 color for the Fill, lower the Opacity to 40%, and change Blending to Soft Light. In the Layers List, move this shape below the "bar table" and "bar stool" groups.
6. Draw a Woman
Step 1
Using the Vector (V) tool, draw a head shape. For the color, use #FDCCA2 and turn off borders.
Step 2
Take the Vector (V) tool and draw a mouth.
Step 3
Uncheck borders and fill the mouth shape with #E77781 color.
Step 4
Using the Oval (O) tool, create a birthmark just above the mouth. For the color, use #F4BB94.
Step 5
Draw the shape of sunglasses using the Vector (V) tool. Fill the shape with #FFFFFF color and make sure that borders are turned off.
Step 6
Then, again using the Vector (V) tool, draw a lens shape.
Step 7
Using the Inspector Panel on the right, change the Fill to Linear Gradient. For the top color stop, use #AFAAA8, and for the bottom color stop, use #0D0D0D.
Step 8
Add lens shine using the Oval (O) tool. Fill the shape with #D8D8D8, lower the Opacity to 50% and make sure that the borders are turned off.
Step 9
Select all the shapes that are part of the sunglasses, group them into the "sunglasses" group, and apply Shadow to the group from the Inspector Panel. Use the following settings:
- Shadow color:
#EAA884 - X: 2 px
- Y: 0 px
- Blur: 2 px
Step 10
Now, let's draw the hair. Outline the hair using the Vector (V) tool. Fill the shape with #000000 color and uncheck the borders.
Step 11
Use the Vector (V) tool to outline the scarf around the woman's head. Turn off borders and fill the shape with #F7EADF color.
Step 12
Apply Shadows using the Inspector Panel on the right. Use the following settings:
- Color:
#000000 - X: -1 px
- Y: 0 px
- Blur: 2 px
- Alpha: 5%
Step 13
Draw a shape over the scarf as shown in the image below with the Vector (V) tool. For the color, use #000000.
Step 14
Next, select these two shapes that we've just created by holding down Shift and clicking on the layers, and then choose Mask in the top toolbar.
Step 15
Finally lower the Opacity of the black shape to 3%.
Select all the layers that we used to create the woman's head (head shape, mouth, birthmark, sunglasses, hair, and scarf), and group them (Command-G) into the "head" group.
Step 16
Use the Rectangle (R) tool to create a neck. Set the color to #FDCCA2 and turn off borders.
Step 17
Pick up the Oval (O) tool and draw a shape like the one in the image below, to add a shadow from the head. Set the color to #000000 and Opacity to 10%.
Step 18
Select both the neck rectangle and the shadow oval, and choose Mask from the top toolbar.
Step 19
The result of this masking operation is automatically placed into a new group in the Layers List on the left. Name this group "neck"and place it below the "head" group in the Layers List.
Step 20
Let's move to the woman's dress. Grab the Vector (V) tool and draw a dress shape. Uncheck borders and set the color to rose (#FF5AA4).
Step 21
Use the Oval (O) tool to create a polka-dot pattern for the dress. Draw a 4 px by 4 px circle. Set the color to #FFFFFF and lower the Opacity to 50%. Create the pattern by simply duplicating and arranging circles in a crisscross way.
Step 22
Select all the circles and group them (Command-G). Then, select the dress and circles group and choose Mask from the top toolbar. This will place dots inside the dress shape and create a new group in the Layers List. Name this group "dress".
Step 23
Now, using the Vector (V) tool, draw a collar. Use #FCF2E4 for the color.
Step 24
Apply Shadows using the Inspector Panel on the right, using the following settings:
- Color:
#000000 - X: 1 px
- Y: 1 px
- Blur: 1 px
- Alpha: 5%
Select the collar and the "dress" group and put them into a "collar dress" group by using Command-G.
Step 25
Now we can move to the woman's legs. Take the Vector (V) tool and draw a leg. Set the color to #F6C695.
Step 26
Form the second leg, which is crossed over, using the Vector (V) tool, but now use a slightly lighter skin tone color, #FDD0A2.
Step 27
Use the Vector (V) tool to create a shoe shape. For the color, use #415378.
Step 28
Make the second shoe by copying the first one and rotating a bit.
Step 29
Select both legs and shoes and group them into the "legs" group, by pressing Command-G on the keyboard. Then move this group below the "collar dress" group in the Layers List.
Step 30
Use the Vector (V) tool to draw the woman's hands. First draw the one that is in the back. Use #FBD5A3 for the color.
Step 31
Give this shape the name "right hand" and place it in the Layers List below the "collar dress" group.
Step 32
Then draw the hand that is in front. Use a slightly brighter color for the skin, #FDDAAB. Name this shape "left hand".
Step 33
This is what we have right now.
Step 34
Select all groups that we used to draw a woman and place them just below the "bar table" group, and above the "bar stool" group.
7. Create a Cigarette
Step 1
Use the Rectangle (R) tool to create a cigarette. First draw a white (#FFFFFF) rectangle.
Step 2
Press Enter to enter shape editing mode, select the top right point, and move it down a bit.
Step 3
Duplicate (Command-D) this rectangle, change the color to #F8AF53, and make it smaller vertically, as shown in the image below, to create a filter.
Step 4
Draw a small rectangle at the bottom of the cigarette shape, to create cigarette ash, and set the color to #324249.
Step 5
Select all shapes, put them into the "cigarette" group, and Rotate 48o and position it between the fingers as shown in the image below.
Step 6
Grab the Vector (V) tool and draw cigarette smoke.
Step 7
Click on the Fill in the Inspector Panel and choose Linear Gradient. Set the left color stop to #F0F0F0 and the right to #C6E8F6. Lower the Opacity to 80%.
8. Put a Cup of Coffee on the Table
Step 1
Pick up the Rectangle (R) tool and draw a saucer. Use #FFFFFF for the color.
Step 2
Next, create a cup shape with the Rectangle (R) tool. Double-click on the cup shape to enter shape editing mode, select both bottom points, and change Corners to 8.
Step 3
Draw a tiny rectangle near the top. For the color, use #FBD5A3.
Step 4
Next, we’ll make the handle of the cup. Pick up the Oval (O) tool and create a circle.
Step 5
Duplicate (Command-D) this circle, scale it down a bit, and change the color to any other color.
Step 6
Select both circles and choose Subtract from the top toolbar. Place this shape behind the cup shape.
Step 7
At the end, change the color of the handle to #FFFFFF.
Step 8
Select all the shapes that form the cup of coffee, group them (Command-G), give it the name "coffee", and place this group just below the "left hand" shape in the Layers List.
9. Create a Scarf
Step 1
Let's create a free piece of scarf that goes behind the neck. Grab the Vector (V) tool and draw a scarf shape. For the color, use #F7EADF.
Step 2
Use the Vector (V) tool and draw a shape like the one in the image below.
Step 3
Change Fill to Linear Gradient. For the top color stop, use #8C8C8C, and for the bottom #CEC0C0.
Step 4
Draw another shape using the Vector (V) tool, over the scarf shape. Use Linear Gradient for the Fill. Set the left color stop to #FFEEE0 and the right to #C8B6B5.
Step 5
Select the scarf shape and both shapes that we've just created, and click on Mask in the top toolbar.
Step 6
Now position this just below the "neck" group in the Layers List.
10. Enhance the Illustration by Adding Shadows
Let’s add shadows to our illustration to make it more intricate and detailed.
Step 1
Grab the Rectangle (R) tool and draw a shape as shown in the image below. Change the Fill to Linear Gradient. For the left color stop, choose #9C9C9C, and for the right #000000.
Step 2
Lower the Opacity to 40%, and move this layer just below the "left arm" shape.
Step 3
Using the same method, create the first shadow below the table. Create a Linear Gradient using #000000 for the top color stop, and #9C9C9C for the bottom color stop.
Step 4
Set the Opacity to 40%, and position this shape just below the "bar table" group.
Step 5
Then create a second shadow below the table. Again, set the Fill to Linear Gradient, set the top color stop to #000000, and the bottom color stop to #9C9C9C.
Step 6
This time, lower the Opacity to 20%.
Step 7
Next, add a shadow just over the stool seat and below the woman, just as we did in the previous steps.
Step 8
Lower the Opacity to 20% and position this shape just over the "bar stool" group and below the "collar dress" group.
Step 9
Grab the Vector (V) tool and create a shadow below the shoe and over the stool leg. Choose Linear Gradient for the Fill. Use #000000 for the top color stop and #C5BAB5 for the bottom color stop.
Step 10
Set the Opacity to 30% and move this shape over the "bar stool" group.
Step 11
We'll create the last shadow behind the "bar stool" group. Use the Vector (V) tool to create this shadow. Once again, choose Linear Gradient for the Fill. For the top color stop, use #000000, and for the bottom color stop, use #F2F2F2.
Step 12
Lower the Opacity to 10%, and place it in the Layers List just above the "terrace" group.
Step 13
This what we have right now, after adding the shadows.
11. Final Steps: Add Sun and Clouds
Step 1
Let's create the sun first. Grab Oval (O) tool and draw a circle. Use #F8E71C for the color.
Step 2
Apply Gaussian Blur with the Amount of 1 px, using the Inspector Panel on the right.
Step 3
Let's create a cloud over the sun. The best way to create a cloud is to combine circles and a rectangle. First, draw four different size circles overlapping each other using the Oval (O) tool. Use #FFFFFF color for the Fill.
Step 4
Use the Rectangle (R) tool and draw a white (#FFFFFF) rectangle.
Step 5
Select circles and rectangles, go to Arrange> Align Object> Bottom to align every element to the bottom. Then merge them using Union from the top toolbar.
Step 6
Duplicate (Command-D) the cloud twice, scale it down and position it as shown in the image below.
Step 7
Select the cloud over the Eiffel Tower and lower the Opacity to 45%.
You're Done! I Must Say I'm Amazed!
Great work—you've earned yourself a coffee break! Our Paris lifestyle illustration is finished. I hope you’ve managed to follow each step of the tutorial and learned some new tips and tricks. Thanks for reading!
