With oil prices the way they are today, everybody is thinking Green. I have done many projects recently that require a Green style applied to the design. In the following Illustrator tutorial, I'll teach you how to create a Green type treatment. It works great for logos and other design elements.
Final Image
First, let's take a look at the image we'll be creating. Below is the completed illustration to see what you'll be working toward.
Step 1
Create a document that is 8.5 inches by 11 inches. Choose a typeface for the type treatment (I used Helvetica Bold) and type out what you want. Next, Outline the text by going to Type > Create Outlines.
Step 2
With the text selected, create a Linear Gradient from the Gradient Panel. Change the color of the first swatch on the Gradient Slider (left swatch) to a light green (I used these CMYK values: C=40, M=0, Y=100, and K=0). Change the second swatch on the Gradient Slider to a darker green (C=60 M=16 Y=100 K=0). Use the Gradient Tool (G) to adjust the gradient by clicking at the top of the type and dragging to the bottom of the type so the dark part is at the bottom.
Step 3
Now we're going to create some leaves. Start by drawing a leaf shape with the Pen Tool (P). Again, with the Pen Tool (P), draw a line that starts at the tip of leaf and ends in the middle of the bottom part of the leaf. After selecting the line and the leaf shape, press the Divide button in the Pathfinder Panel, located on the bottom left side of the panel. Ungroup (Command+Shift+G) the objects so you have two separate shapes.
Step 4
Select both shapes and create the same colored Linear Gradient as the Text. Next, select one shape and use the Gradient Tool (G) to click and drag at a 45 degree angle across the leaf half shape. Do this again for the other half of the leaf.
Step 5
With the Pen Tool (P) draw a highlight shape on the top leaf half. Change the highlight shape to a Radial Gradient. Change the left swatch to white and the right swatch to your green color (C=40 M=0 Y=100 K=0).
Step 6
With the Pen Tool (P), create a stem shape and send it behind the leaf shapes. Create a Linear Gradient, make the gradient the same colors as the leaf shapes, and adjust the gradient so the darker green is at the top of the stem.
Step 7
Next come the water droplets. Create an oblong ellipse with the Ellipse Tool (L). Then create a Linear Gradient using the same colors as the leaf and text. Adjust the gradient so the dark side is on the bottom left.
Create another ellipse on top of the previous ellipse and create a Radial Gradient with the same swatches as the highlight gradient. Adjust this gradient so the light part of the gradient is coming from the bottom left.
Create two more smaller ellipses with Linear Gradients matching the highlight gradient. Once you are done, group all the ellipses, scale and place them on the leaf shapes. You can easily copy the droplet by holding down Alt and dragging a copy.
Step 8
The next couple of steps deal with creating the ladybug. Create an ellipse and fill it with a Linear Gradient. Make the first swatch in the gradient a red (C=0 M=100 Y=100 K=0) and the second an even darker red (C=0 M=100 Y=100 K=35). Adjust the gradient so the red color is at the bottom of the ellipse.
Copy (Command + C) the ellipse and Paste it in Front (Command + F). Draw another bigger ellipse that overlaps the center of the original ellipse. After selecting one of the original ellipses and the overlapping circle, press the Intersect Shape Areas button in the Pathfinder Panel. Make the intersected shape a Linear Gradient with the first swatch white and the second swatch red. Adjust the gradient so the white is at the top of the shape.
Step 9
Draw five more ellipses over the ladybug body shape and group them together. Copy (Command + C) the original body ellipse shape and Paste it in Front (Command + F). With the copied body shape and the five ellipse selected, Intersect the shapes.
Change the dots to a Linear Gradient with the first swatch a really dark red and the second swatch a black red. Adjust the gradient so the lightest red is at the bottom of the combined shapes. Next, Copy (Command + C) the top highlighted shape of the body and Paste it in Front (Command + F).
Copy (Command + C) the dots and Paste it in Front (Command + F). Select the copied highlight and one of the dots copy and Intersect them. Create a Linear Gradient with the first swatch at 60% black and the second at 90% black. Adjust the gradient so the lighter black is at the top of the shape.
Step 10
Create another ellipse for the ladybug's head. Create a gradient the same as the top dots gradient and send the head behind the body shape. Draw an antenna shape with the Pen Tool (P) and place it behind the head. Copy (Command + C) the antenna and Paste it in Front (Command + F). Reflect the antenna by pressing the Flip Horizontal option from the pop-up menu of the Transform Panel.
Step 11
Draw an ellipse roughly the size of the completed ladybug. Create a Radial Gradient so the inside swatch is black and the outside is white. Set the ellipse to Multiply from the Transparency Panel and send it behind the ladybug to the bottom left, creating a drop shadow. After grouping the ladybug and drop shadow, place it on the leaf. Then scale and rotate the lady bug as needed.
Step 12
After selecting the leaf and all the elements on it, place them over your text. I placed mine over the first letter of the word.
Step 13
Copy (Command + C) the leaf and elements, except the lady bug, and Paste (Command + V). Flip the leaf horizontally and scale down the leaf. When scaling you don't have to constrain the proportions, this helps the leaf look different from the other. Repeat this step a couple of times around the text.
Step 14
For the other leaves we are going to create an Art Brush. You can draw these elements with the Pen Tool (P), but you'll find it more consistent and easier to use a brush.
Draw an oblong ellipse. Then with the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the right anchor point in the ellipse. When you select an anchor point the Control Panel will default to the Anchor Point Options. Convert the anchor point to a Corner (the first button to the right on the Control Panel). Do this again for the left anchor point. Next, squish the ellipse down from the top to half its original size.
Step 15
Drag the oval into the Brush Panel and choose New Art Brush. In the Art Brush options change Colorization to Tints. This lets you change the color of the brush without creating a new brush. You don't need to change the colors of the brush strokes for this tutorial, but it is good practice.
Step 16
With your new brush, make a swirl shape for a leaf blade. You might need to change the stroke of the brush if it looks to small or too big. When you get a stroke you like, go to Object > Expand. You will also want to clean up the unfilled stroke. An easy way to do this is to go Object > Path > Clean Up. Also, make sure all the check boxes are checked and press OK.
Step 17
Select the expanded brush shape and create a Linear Gradient with the same swatches as the original text gradient.
Step 18
Repeat the steps for creating the leaf blade around your text. Try to vary the shape and size of the blades.
Step 19
Next we're going to add some more water droplets around the text. Simply Copy (Command + C) the droplets on the leaf you already made and Paste (Command + V) them around the text. Also, be sure to vary their size and shape.
Step 20
Now it is time to work on the dirt at the bottom of the text. Double click on the Pencil Tool (N) in the Tools Panel to bring up the Pencil Tool Options. Change the Fidelity to 5 to get really smooth lines.
Use you Pencil Tool (N) to draw a small circular shape. Press Alt before you let go to close the shape. Next, create a Radial Gradient with the interior swatch a brown color (C=35 M=60 Y=80 K=25) and the exterior swatch a dark brown color (C=50 M=70 Y=80 K=70) . Place the spot on the first letter of your word. Scale the dot down smaller than one of the droplets.
Step 21
Repeat this till you have a pile of dirt spots on you first letter.
Step 22
Copy (Command + C) and Paste the dirt pile until you have covered the very bottom of all the letters.
Step 23
Draw a Radial Gradient ellipse like you did for the ladybug drop shadow. Squish the ellipse to about half the size. Send the ellipse behind all the artwork and set it to Multiply.
Step 24
Repeat this drop shadow under all the letters.
Step 25
For the background create a rectangle with the Rectangle Tool that is the size of you document. Give it a Radial Gradient, make the interior swatch white and the second swatch a light green (C=13 M=0 Y=38 K=0).
Final Image
Now you have a nice Green type treatment!
User Comments
( ADD YOURS )Philo July 21st
Nice tutorial, its well explained and i like the end result!
Mr. Heli July 21st
Cool and very useful tutorial
Thanks for sharing, it might have large field of usage.
Jonny July 21st
Very nice… I like the simplicity of the design. Great tutorial
Pasquale July 21st
Cute idea
Moe July 21st
really like this one!
pica July 21st
how cool does this look?!
the bug is most adorable
just a wonderful vector illustration and great tips about the waterdrops
Dino Latoga July 21st
Very simple steps but excellent outcome. A formula for an amazing vector. Thanks for the tutorial!
Sean July 21st
Perfect!
MoNsTeR July 21st
Very slick and professional. I really like this one.
Johan July 21st
Coolish
Mark July 21st
I’m really liking this effect. Nice one
Dan July 21st
Fantastic. Great stuff I really enjoyed this one
Whitney July 21st
Great one. Thanks!
Nate July 21st
Nicely done. Thanks for sharing
bobby July 21st
very nice
Braden Keith July 21st
Me lo gusta!
These tuts are getting better and better.
Tim Aste July 21st
Great tutorial!
Daniel July 21st
very nice tutorial ! final outcome is great! thanks for sharing.
Matt July 21st
Fantastic tutorial! I will be doing it later this arfternoon to hopefully recreate something the same ^_^
Daniel Geraldi July 21st
Fantastic!
Thanks!
BryanB July 21st
very nice, I like the Illustrator ones
Grant Friedman July 21st
Rype, I’m convinced that you write some of the best vector tutorials on the web. They always look awesome and are filled with great little Vectips. Great work! Keep them coming!
Tim July 21st
looks fun!
Rijalul Fikri July 21st
Nice, I’ll surely try it
Ali July 21st
very nice, always wanted to learn something like this :]
Joefrey Mahusay July 22nd
Wow Cool tutorial…Keep it up!
Mark Abucayon July 22nd
whew, I like it… very very nice I want to try this one later. Thank you for sharing
Moritz Feierabend July 22nd
Nice tut, thx!
solwyvern July 22nd
Thank you! Thank you!
This is just what I needed, the theme to it is quite nice.^^
Your Illustrator tutorials are the best I’ve ever seen around the web. XD
Shane July 22nd
That is absolutely fantastic stuff. Really lovely end-result.
Thanks.
Érica July 22nd
veeery cool ! *-*
BANAGO July 22nd
I find this really a great tutorial. Thanks very much for that!
antipix July 22nd
awesome ^^
Rype July 22nd
Glad everyone like the tutorial!
Mr Kuzio July 23rd
Good job!!
Grande!!!
oompa July 23rd
Im going to start the tut now
liking it already…
Pablo July 23rd
Hi! great tutorial, and very useful and usable in professional projects (i like that) thanks!
K3v July 23rd
Nice result with simple effects
WAR July 23rd
Great use of highlights and shadows to create depth. I really enjoyed viewing how you created these vector illusions to create depth.
Thanks for sharing!
Aditya July 24th
Since when I was a baby, I was looking for a tutorial on how to create leaves and other tree-ish sketches in Adobe Illustrator…I finally found it….I just can’t thank you enough, and I just can’t stop gushing over this gr8 tut…..
Mansoor July 24th
Excellent tut.
oompa July 24th
I cant even get an normal leave :’(
Kannan K.R. (a) KRK July 25th
Fentastic, always wanted to learn something more like this
Bahzil July 25th
Very Fresh and great tutorial, good job!
david July 25th
nice!
oompa July 28th
I had to copy the leave image and trace it with the pen tool..
*feels ashamed*
:’(
Shobhit July 28th
Really Nice One….
Beau de Noir July 28th
Wow
I will try it 
Sougata Majumder July 30th
Love it…..
Ines July 31st
Awesome, really nice tutorial! Well done =)
Clauss July 31st
Thanks a lot ! great tut.
hope to see more from you.
Grafiko July 31st
. Great work! Very nice techniques
Maryam August 1st
It’s really great .Thank you so much.It helped me alot
Jess August 1st
Great tutorial. Very well written and easy to follow. Can tell you put a lot of work into your work.
Hennessy August 1st
Great tutorial ! fantastic.
clef4rd August 3rd
bravo!!! thanks!
bleak August 3rd
great!
I like the final results.
loswl August 3rd
Very nice, looks totally wicked!! and polished, i loved how you explained each section…great tut :o)
Brandon August 3rd
Awsome Text effects! That has got to be the best I have seen.
Seraphim Collective August 4th
Great tut! This will be very useful.
Melvin August 4th
Lovely I’ve always had trouble with the leaf effect for some reason. Thanks
Pravin Potdar August 4th
Great one!!!!!
Thanks
Raj August 4th
gr8 tutorial
Thanx Rype!
imran August 5th
hmmmmmmmmm very perfect
Hackology August 5th
awesome tutorial, nice final output i like this one very much.
Love Malhotra August 7th
Nice tutorial, its well explained and i like the end result! Cool and very useful tutorial Thanks for sharing, it might have large field of usage.
CFB August 7th
Nice tutorial. How do you do the intersect?
Manuel August 7th
This is an awesome tutorial. The result is so lovely.
It’s easy explained… the only thing which didn’t work for me is how to expand my brush… :-/
So without this i only could change the color but not apply a gradiant.
But anyhow it looks quite good.
motiur rahman August 8th
this is a very good tutorial.
it helped me alot improve my illustrator.
kha August 9th
nice vectortut. I draw pic base on those theory:
http://artofkha.wordpress.com/2008/08/09/black-angel/
Capripot August 15th
very good, thx a lot for your good tips
http://capripotlesite.free.fr/capripot/green_paradise.jpg
Jo August 16th
Fantastic Tutorial,
Really happy with the result…
Thanks
a. August 20th
imm having problems when it comes to changing the colors on the gradient..think you could help?
theory August 20th
that’s a great tut. very efficient way to a very rich look.
good looking out.
Dj. Uly August 21st
good
Tom August 22nd
Very nice. Almost 3d.
dr.emi August 23rd
The result is beautifull…
Your vector tutorial most usefull for me. I will create the other one now !!
Thank you :))
Jessica August 24th
Wow I am so confused I create the whole leaf with my pen tool,than i place a line down the middle than do the divide button ont he pathfinder and… nothing. It does clipoff the end of the leaf. I even attempted to do an ungroup but the divide automaticaly did that? I am so confused I dont have two seperate areas. What am I doing wrong?
Genesis August 24th
Very nice tutorial, I love it
janjanlay August 29th
very nice , i like it and thank you for sharing
Matt Strange September 2nd
Wow, i really like this type effect, got me an idea. Thanks for such a great tutorial
Raino September 14th
It’s nice~~I like it ~~
luoman September 16th
Thanks a lot, very nice tutorial.
Can also be used for the Inkscape users
Did on Inkscape: http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/8572/luomannaturewh1.png
armando September 16th
well done!!!!!!!!!! thanks a lottt!!!
Binesh September 17th
Thanks Rype… awesome tutorial.
I love the way you give green shots of each minute steps.
Keep up the good work mate.
Here my try at this Tutorial. Came out beautifully.
http://picasaweb.google.com/bineshbabu13/GoGreen#5246904002391531602
Binesh September 17th
Hi friends,
This is definetely worth a try. Mine came out very well.
I sooooooooo glad that I think I should share the illustrator file.
Just send me a mail at binesh13@gmail.com, I send it to you.
Tobi September 22nd
thank you so much! I ve learn’t a lot
dechie September 29th
cute!
go green!!
Neil September 29th
VERY VERY MUCH THANK YOU FOR THAT!!!
I HAVE LEARNT SSSSOOOO MUCH!
Pietro Marafiga October 7th
Belo resultado meeeesmo! (I’m Brazilian)
NICE RESULT!
Bhargav October 9th
This tutorial is simple …. excellent and awesome
Ubi October 11th
very nice tutorial. useful one!
lx October 13th
wow,it’s really cool
MIRACLE October 13th
Cool Assigment! thx
Muhammad Shahid Akram October 18th
A very good and detail tutorial, thanks for this
clalala November 4th
EXCELLENT! …exactly what I needed. Thank you!
:)
nikopiero November 24th
A very good tutorial, this my result:
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/228423/brokenice.png
Alba December 7th
Simply put and very well done
Mike December 18th
I used this on a menu design I was working with the other day. Thanks this came in very handy.
poonam January 1st
great tut……
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