Card Design How to Mrs Ras

Open Illustrator File>New

Save a image from the internet that you want to use to trace with pen tool. I am going to do an animal themed cards so I am going to choose a lion for my kings cards

File< place your image Lock the image layer add new layer

In the new layer trace with the outside shape. I only plan to do the head so I traced the mane as my outside shape

Now I am going to trace any details I need on the inside 1) add new layer on top 2) toggle off the last tracing

In new layer begin tracing details. Remember for every detail you trace you should put them in their own LAYERS

Use the direct selection tool to drag and perfect your shapes

Continue tracing and adding details … in new LAYERS

Complete all details

Now that you have pen tooled all the details out choose fills for all of them. Try to use two to three “Like Colors” you can find different shades of the same colors in the swatch library

Toggle off the reference picture T

Select all the image edit>copy Edit > paste rotate paste

Open your card symbol

Add new layer and add background I am going to add a card symbol I copied the symbol and pasted it to a new layer

Move the layer to background and adjust size and placement

Add a card symbol to the front add new layer and paste symbol adjust color and size

At this point play around with colors and graphic styles or textures to your shapes Window>Swatches click on library and scroll through

Add decorative boarders by click on shape and going into the stroke library

Add card symbol to top and bottom of card

Use the text tool and add the Letter

Finish off the card maybe add another color to the background