Version: Illustrator 9+
First create the paths of the feather with the Pen Tool.
Select the top 2 paths, fill it with Radial Gradient, pick similar colors as shown. Then repeat this step for the rest of the paths.
Select all the feather paths, go to Transparency pallate, select Multiply.
Now you can duplicate the feather and lower the Opacity (Transparency).
Version: Illustrator 8+
Use the Pen Tool and create a path like the image on the left. Drag it to the Brushes Library pallate. If your Brushes is not showing, go to Window > Brushes of press F5.
When the New Brush options window popup, select New Art Brush.
Then the New Art Brush Options will pop out, leave everything as default, but select Tints for Colorization Method. Click Ok.
Now you can apply this Art Brush to any stroke by clicking the Art Brush in the Brushes library.
You can change your stroke color and weight to get various stroke effect.
Version: Illustrator 9+
Create a rectangular path and fill it with blue gradient.
Create another path with Blue-Black gradient and select Screen Blending Mode. This will create a lighter blue gradient shade. If your color setting is CMYK, make sure the black is full black (C,M,Y,K=100). The red arrow on the image is the direction of the gradient fill.
Repeat the previous step to create another Screen gradient path.
Make 2 white stroke paths.
Go to Object > Blend > Blend Options, enter Specified Steps = 20. Then with the 2 strokes selected, go to Object > Blend > Make or press Ctrl+Alt+B. This will blend 2 white strokes and create an abstract wave effect. If you want to change the Blend step, you can go to Object > Blend > Blend Options or double click the Blend Tool(B) on the tool bar.
Use Direct Selection Tool (A), select one of strokes and change it to blue stroke color. Notice how 2 strokes blend from blue to white. Isn’t this cool?
Now go wild with your Pen tool, create 2 wavy strokes and blend them. Play around with the Blend step, stroke weight and color.
Repeat the steps and create the last abstract blend, from blue to purple.
Your image should look like something below:
Now you can use this abstract image for your desktop wallpaper. Download this abstract background for your desktop wallpaper.
Version: Illustrator CS2
Find a beautiful photo that you would like to use for your artwork. Place it in Illustrator by File > Place. Then lock the layer.
Make a new layer, ‘base paths’. Use the Pen tool, cover the clothes with white paths.
Copy all white paths from ‘base paths’ layer and paste it in a new layer. If you want, you can just duplicate the ‘base paths’ layer. Now use the Type tool to type in your text message and send it to back (note: your text must be sit below the shape). Then select the text object and the shirt path, go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make with Top Object or press Ctrl+Alt+C. This will distort the text with the selected shape.
Repeat this step to make the envelope text distortion for the skirt.
For the skirt text objects, rotate it to 90 degree.
Don’t forget to use the short cut keys. It will save you a lot of time. Just select the shape and text, and press Ctrl+Alt+C.
Now you can add some design elements in the background to spice up the artwork.
