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How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator



Today we will be learning how to create a cute circus tent in Adobe Illustrator. Get ready to use some basic tools such as Pen Tool and some quite useful Pathfinder features. We will create colorful balloons and flowers as well. The illustration can be used for multiply purpose such as Birthday invitations, Circus posters, etc.
Let us move from words to deeds!
This is what we’ll be creating.
Preview-image1 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator

Creating the Lower Part of the Circus Tent

Create a new Illustrator document with 500 x 500 pixels in size.
0011 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
For the start, grab the Pen Tool (P) from the Tool Panel and create the path as it shown on the picture below.
0021 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Holding the Alt key on the keyboard select the path and move it to the right. Don’ t forget to hold the Shift key for the straight dragging. This way we will create the copy of the path. You should end up with something like this.
0031 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Select the Pen Tool (P) again and click on the end points of these paths in order to create a shape like this.
0041 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Select the Add Anchor Point Tool (+) and add the anchor point as it shown on the picture below.
0051 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
We need to nudge this anchor point few pixels downwards. To do that select the anchor point we’ve just created with Direct Selection Tool (A) and hit the down arrow key on the keyboard.
0062 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Let’s create a nice arc. Grab the Convert Anchor Point Tool ( Shift + C ) from the Tool Panel, click on the new anchor and drag it to right. Don’t forget to hold the Shift key on the keyboard for straight dragging.
0071 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator

Creating the Stripes

Let’s create nice stripes for the tent.
Grab the Pen Tool (P) from the Tool Panel and create the path as it shown on the picture below.
0081 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
We have to create the copy of this path. Hold the Alt key on the keyboard and click on the path. Holding the Shift key on the keyboard (for straight dragging) move the copy to the right.
0091 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Select both paths and under the Object select Blend Make.
0101 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Under the Blend Options set the Spacing to Specified Steps and the value to 3.
0112 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Under the Object select Expand and Ungroup ( Shift + Ctrl / Cmd + G ) the paths. Select all the elements we’ve created so far and under the Pathfinder Panel hit Divide button.
0123 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Ungroup ( Shift + Ctrl / Cmd + G ) the shape we have created. We will apply nice linear gradients to the stripes.
0132 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
We will do the same for white stripes.
0141 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Now we will create a folded part of the tents side. Grab the Line Tool (/) from the Tool Panel and create the line as it shown on the picture below.
0152 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Select the white strip and the line and under the Pathfinder Panel hit Divide button.
0162 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Ungroup ( Shift + Ctrl / Cmd + G ) divided strip and rotate the small part for 135 degrees.  You should end up with something like this.
0171 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
We have to adjust a bit the folded part. To do that grab the Direct Selection Tool (A) from the Tool Panel and adjust the position of the anchor points and angle of the handles.
0181 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
With the linear gradient we will create an illusion of curled side of the tent.
0191 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Select all the elements we have created so far an Group them ( Ctrl / Cmd + G ). Under the Object select Transform Reflect. Set Axis to Vertical and hit the Copy button. It will create an mirror image. Just move it to the right as it shown on the picture below.
0201 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
0212 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Group ( Ctrl / Cmd + G ) all the elements.

Creating the Upper Part of the Tent

Now we have to create the upper part of the tent. Grab the Pen Tool (P) from the Tool Panel and create the path as it shown on the picture below.
0221 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
0231 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Under the Object select Transfer Reflect. For the Axis select Vertical and hit the Copy button. Place the copy on the right side. Select both paths and Group ( Ctrl / Cmd + G ) them. Select all the the objects and under the Align Panel hit the Horizontal Align Center.
0241 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Grab the Ellipse Tool (L) from the Tool Panel and create the ellipse.
0252 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Now we will have to add and to remove some anchor points. Select the Add Anchor Point Tool (+) from the Tool Panel and add two anchor points to the ellipse.
0262 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Grab the Direct Selection Tool (A) from the Tool Panel, select anchor points we don’t need and hit Delete key on the keyboard.
0272 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Withe Direct Selection Tool (A) select endpoints and under the right click hit the Join. Do that for the both sides of the upper part of the tent.
0283 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
With the Pen Tool (P) close the path.
0292 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Let’s create red and white stripes for the upper part of the circus tent as well.
Duplicate ( Ctrl / Cmd + C, Ctrl / Cmd + F ) the green shape twice. Move one of the copy upwards.
0301 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Select both copies we have made and under the Pathfinder Panel hit the Intersect button.
0311 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Grab the Line Tool (/) from the Tool Panel and create a Vertical line. Hold the Shift key on the keyboard for the straight dragging.
0321 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Grab the Rotate Tool ( R ) from the Tool Panel, hold the Alt key on the keyboard and click right above the vertical line.
0332 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
The Rotation Option dialog will pop up. Set the value for the Angle to 15 degrees.
0341 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Hit the Copy button. It will create another line rotated for 15 degrees. To create more of those lines press the shortcut Ctrl / Cmd + D on the keyboard  22 times. It will create the whole round of lines.
0352 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Remove unnecessary lines. Select green shape and the rest of the lines and under the Pathfinder Panel hit Divide button.
036 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Ungroup the new shape and apply red and white gradients, just like we did before. Use the same gradients we’ve used for the lower part of the tent.
037 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
038 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Set the Fill color of the blue shape to white (#FFFFF). Under the Object select Path Offset Path. Set the value for Offset to -5. Set the Fill color of the smaller shape to #F1F2F2.
0391 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Grab the Pen Tool (P) from the Tool Panel and try to draw the shape as it shown on the pictures below.
040a in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
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040c in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
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040g in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Select all the elements of the upper part of the tent (except the green shape) and send it to front ( Shift + Ctrl / Cmd +] ).
041 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Select only red and white stripes (as it shown on the picture below) and duplicate them ( Ctrl / Cmd + C, Ctrl / Cmd + F ). Under the Pathfinder Panel hit the Unite button.
042 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Select the shape we have just created and the green shape and under the Pathfinder Panel hit the Minus Front button.
043 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Ungroup ( Shift + Ctrl / Cmd + G ) the green shape and apply the same white and red gradients we have already used.
044 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
045 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Grab the Pen Tool (P) from the Tool Panel and draw the path as it shown on the picture below.
046 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
048 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator

Creating the Flag

Grab the Rounded Rectangle Tool from the Tool Panel and create a tiny rectangle. Apply linear gray gradient.
049 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
We will create the shape of the flag with Pencil Tool (N), but first we have to set parameters for smooth line. With double click on the Pencil Tool icon in the Tool Panel we will bring up the Pencil Tool Options. Set the Fidelity to 2.5 and the Smoothness to 100%. Hit the OK button.
050 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Select the Pencil Tool (N) from the Tool Panel and create a curved line as it shown on the picture below. Don’t worry much about the shape. Just try to create a smooth waves.
051 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Duplicate the path ( Ctrl / Cmd + C, Ctrl / Cmd + F ), rotate it a bit and move around as it shown on the picture below. With the Direct Selection Tool (A) select endpoints on the right click hit Join.
052 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
With the Pen Tool (P) close the path. Set Fill color to red.
053 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Duplicate the flag twice ( Ctrl / Cmd + C, Ctrl / Cmd + F ), scale up one of the copies and rotate it. Select both copies and under the Pathfinder Panel hit the Intersect button.
054 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Set the Fill color to white (#FFFFF), Group it ( Ctrl / Cmd + G ) and place it on the handle on the top of the circus tent.
055 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Grab the Pen Tool (P) from the Tool Panel and create the back side of the circus tent. The shape doesn’t have to be perfect. Apply the same red linear gradient we are using from the start of this tutorial.
056 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Send the red shape to the back ( Shift + Ctrl / Cmd + [ ).
057 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator

Creating details

Select the small parts of the roof (as it shown on the picture below) and duplicate them ( Ctrl / Cmd + C, Ctrl / Cmd + F ). Scale them up and move them to the right little bit.
058 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Ungroup ( Shift + Ctrl / Cmd +G ) the lower part of the tent. Make sure to have all stripes ungrouped. Now we will combine some shapes inside the Pathfinder Panel.
Select the stripe and duplicate it ( Ctrl / Cmd + C, Ctrl / Cmd + F ). Holding the Shift key on the keyboard select the copy of the stripe we have just made and one of the parts we created in the previous step. Under the Pathfinder Panel hit the Intersect button.
059 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Set the Fill color to #720F16 and make sure to place it underneath the upper part of the circus tent. Repeat this step for each stripe. For the shadow on white stripes set the Fill color to #A7A9AC.
060 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
061 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
The circus tent is done. Group ( Ctrl / Cmd + G ) all the elements we have created so far.
Let’s move on to the balloons.

Balloons

We will try to create create colorful balloons in just few steps.
Grab the Ellipse Tool (L) from the Tool Panel and create the ellipse. With Direct Selection Tool (A) we will distort the ellipse little bit. Select the lower anchor point and nudge it few pixels downwards. To do that use the arrow keys on the keyboard.
062 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Grab the Pen Tool (P) from the Tool Panel and create simple, irregular triangle.
063 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
With the Ellipse Tool (L) create ellipse as it shown on the picture below. Make sure to mach endpoints.
064 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Under the Object select Path Offset Path. Set the value for Offset to -3.
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Let’s put all elements together and to apply some nice gradients.
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To lower part of the balloon apply linear gradient with same colors as we used for the radial gradient. With the Ellipse Tool (L) create a small ellipse and set the Fill color to white (#FFFFFF). Lower the Opacity to 25%.
067 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Using the same technique create balloons in oder colors. Group them ( Ctrl / Cmd + G ).
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Creating the Background

Beside circus tent and the balloons we have to create a background with cute clouds and a hill with some flowers.
Grab the Rectangle Tool (M) from the Tool Panel and click somewhere on the Artboard. A Rectangle Option box will pop up. Set the values for width and height to 500 x 600 pixels. Apply nice blue, radial gradient.
069 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Grab the Ellipse Tool (L) from the Tool Panel and create an ellipse. Place it as it shown on the picture below.
070 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Duplicate ( Ctrl / Cmd + C, Ctrl / Cmd + F ) the rectangle from the previous picture. Select both, ellipse and rectangle and under the Pathfinder Panel hit the Intersect button.
071 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Let’s place our circus tent and balloons on the hill. We will have to create few more details in order to improve our illustration.
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We have to create shadow that tent cast on the grass. Grab the Ellipse Tool (L) again and create two ellipses.
Set the Fill color of the larger ellipse to #004B25.
073 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Set the Fill color of the smaller ellipse to #0C381E.
074 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
We will create the mirror image of the balloons. Select the group of the balloons and under the Object select Transform Reflect. Set the Axis to Vertical and hit the Copy button. Move the reflected balloons to the left.
075 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
076 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator

Creating Clouds

Let’s create few cute clouds.
Grab the Ellipse Tool (L) from the Tool Panel and create many overlapping circles.
0771 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Select them all and under the Pathfinder Panel hit the Unite button. Set the Fill color to #E6F5F9. Duplicate the cloud ( Ctrl / Cmd + C, Ctrl / Cmd +F ). Scale down the cop of the cloud and set the Fill color to white (#FFFFFF).
078 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Using the same techniques create few more clouds.
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Just few more flowers and…
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…Voila! We are done.
Feel free to create the circus tent in different colors.
Preview-image-2 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator
Preview-image-3 in How to Create a Circus Tent in Adobe Illustrator

Conclusion

In this quite long tutorial we had an opportunity to use different kind of techniques. We have used Pen Tool, Pathfinder with some of it’s features and Blend Tool. Their combination has resulted in cheerful illustration that can be used in multiply purpose. Feel free to use techniques discussed in this tutorial for creating different kind of illustrations. I hope you like the tutorial. Thank you for following along.
(rb)
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About the Author: I am a self taught vector illustrator from Serbia. Working as a freelance designer for two years now. My biggest passion is in vector illustrations and motion graphic design.
Article source: http://www.noupe.com/tutorial/how-to-create-a-circus-tent-in-adobe-illustrator.html




 

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