Post pobrano z: How to Create a Seamless Halloween Pumpkin Pattern in Adobe Illustrator

Which vegetable do we associate with Halloween? Of course, it is a pumpkin with a scary carved face, also known as a jack-o’-lantern.

In this tutorial I am going to show you how to create a Halloween pumpkin pattern in Adobe Illustrator using basic shapes, the Pen Tool, and the Pattern Tool.

If you would like to skip the tutorial, you can just purchase the result as a part of my 23 Halloween Seamless Patterns package. And if you’re looking for more Halloween patterns inspiration, you can find some over on GraphicRiver.

1. How to Set Up a New Document

First we need to set up a New Document (File > New or Control-N) with these settings:

• Number of Artboards: 1
• Width: 1200
• Height: 1200
• Units: pixels

From the Advanced tab:

• Color Mode: RGB
• Raster Effects: Screen
• Preview Mode: Default
• Uncheck Align New Objects to Pixel Grid

2. How to Create a Halloween Pumpkin

Step 1

Let’s start building a pumpkin from a 280 x 255 px ellipse made with the help of the Ellipse Tool (L). Set the Fill color to default white and the Stroke color to default black, changing the Stroke weight to 4 px.

Add two narrower ellipses inside the first one.

Step 2

Take the Rectangle Tool (M) and create an 18 x 45 px rectangle with the same default colors and stroke weight of 4 px.

Select the figure and double-click the Rotate Tool (R) to open the Options menu. Set the Angle value to 45 degrees and press OK.

Step 3

Choose the angled rectangle and select the Reflect Tool (O). Holding the Alt key, click on the middle of the shape. In the Reflect window, set the Axis to Vertical and press the Copy button, getting a mirror copy of the angled rectangle right over the first one.

Step 4

Holding down Shift, select both figures that we created with the Selection Tool (V). Use the Unite option on the Pathfinder panel, merging them into one shape. It is going to be the eye of the pumpkin face.

Place the eye on the left side of the pumpkin and create a mirror copy of it on the right side using the Reflect Tool (O) method.

Step 5

Let’s continue adding details to the pumpkin by creating a 35 x 52 px rectangle. Choose the Add Anchor Point Tool (+) and click in the middle of the bottom edge of the rectangle, adding one more anchor point. Delete the left and right bottom anchors with the Delete Anchor Point Tool (-), getting a triangle shape.

Step 6

Select the bottom anchor with the Direct Selection Tool (A) and use the Live Corners feature to make the corner rounded by dragging the circle indicator to the center of the shape, setting the corner radius to about 4 px. Then slightly round the top anchors using the same method.

Add a small ellipse to the top of the triangle-like figure, forming the pumpkin stem. Group (Control-G) all the objects together and place the stem on the top of the pumpkin.

Step 7

With the help of the Pen Tool (P), add a crooked mouth to the pumpkin face.

Step 8

We should make some color changes to prepare our pumpkin for pattern making. Change the Fill color of eyes and mouth to black and the Stroke to None.

Set the fill color of the head and the stem to #231F20.

Step 9

Choose all the pumpkin parts and go to Object > Expand. Check the Stroke option, and uncheck the Fill option, pressing OK. Our strokes will transform into filled shapes.

Step 10

Select all shapes and go to the Pathfinder panel using the Divide function. The artwork gets cut into small pieces. (1)

Double-click on the Magic Wand Tool (Y), uncheck all options except the Fill Color option, and click on any black part of the pumpkin. Press Delete, getting all the black pieces removed. (2)

Choose the orange parts of the pumpkin and use the Unite option on the Pathfinder panel, merging all the small pieces into one shape. (3)

The pumpkin is ready!

3. How to Create a Pumpkin Pattern

Step 1

Select the pumpkin head and go to Object > Pattern > Make. In the Pattern Options, set the size to 1200 x 1200 px. Rotating and copying, spread a few pumpkin heads inside the blue outline, leaving empty spaces between them.

Step 2

Fill up the remaining space with more pumpkin heads, rotating them and varying their sizes to create a balanced composition.

Then press Done on the upper panel. The pattern will appear in the Swatches panel (Window > Swatches). You can edit it any time by just double-clicking on its thumbnail to open the Pattern Options window.

Step 3

Build a 1200 x 1200 px rectangle, which we will fill using #BD6B21 for the background, and align it to the Artboard.

Create another 1200 x 1200 px rectangle. Keeping it selected, go to the Swatches panel (Window > Swatches) and press on our pattern thumbnail.

Step 4

You can easily change the size of our pattern by going to Object > Transform > Scale. Then choose only Scale Pattern and set it to 70%.

In Options, check only the Transform Patterns option, leaving other options unchecked. Then press OK.

Happy Halloween Celebration!

Our pumpkin pattern is ready. Great job!

You can use your imagination and create complex patterns by adding more Halloween symbols and details.

This pattern is only a part of my 23 Halloween Seamless Patterns package, and if you need even more inspiration, you can find some over on GraphicRiver.

I hope you enjoyed the process and learned some new tips and tricks that you can use for creating patterns in future. Feel free to share your results in the comments below.

Post pobrano z: How to Create a Rubber Stamp Logo Mockup in Adobe Photoshop

In this tutorial I will guide you through the steps to create a photo-realistic hot stamp mockup with Adobe Photoshop. The process starts from scratch, so be sure to grab your camera (your smartphone will be fine), plug in your printer, and open your Photoshop (CS6 or higher), because this thrilling trip is about to start!

If you’re looking for a professional logo mockup or don’t have time to follow this, why not try this photo-realistic logo mockup pack available on Envato Elements. 

Tutorial Assets

The following assets were used during the production of this tutorial:

• Real perspective image
• Rubber texture
• 30 Vintage Style Badges and Logos 
• ChunkFive Font
• Bree Serif Font

1. How to Get the Right Perspective

Firstly, we need a real perspective that will be the base to build all the elements of the scene.

What we are going to do in this chapter is draw a solid object on a two-dimensional surface like the canvas of Photoshop, and then print and take a shot of it at different angles so as to give the right impression of the height, width, depth, and position of the object in relation to each other when viewed from a particular point.

I’ve already done this work for you, so you can just download it.

However, if you feel like it, you could create your own personal perspective. Just follow these steps:

Step 1

Create a 1240 x 1754 px New Document in Photoshop.

Select the Rectangle Tool. 

Move the cursor over the canvas and click. You’ll open a small dialog box that allows you to enter precise dimensions for your new shape. Type 350 x 350 px and click the OK button. The shape is created to the lower right of the point where you clicked.

Step 2

Locate the Properties panel. If you can’t see the panel, open it by choosing Window > Properties. 

Set the Shape Fill Type to Black, the Shape Stroke Fill to Transparent, and the position of the rectangle to 443 px for X and 700 px for Y axis:

Now, the black rectangle should be in the center of the canvas.

Step 3

Plug in your printer and print the document. Position your sheet on the floor, near a light source like a window or lamp.

Step 4

Grab your camera (your smartphone will be just fine) and get some shots of the black rectangle. With the camera in hand, try to get down and close to one of the rectangle’s corner to get a more intense perspective. Take several pictures with different angles and positions, and choose one that suits you. You should get a perspective similar to this:

From now on, I will use my perspective for the tutorial, but the following steps are fine even if you have decided to use your personal perspective.

2. How to Add a Rubber Texture to the Scene 

Step 1

Open the perspective image with Photoshop or, if you’re using you own perspective created in the previous chapter, import it in a new 2500 x 1600 px document. If you’re using your own perspective image, try to keep the proportions between the black rectangle and the white background similar to my image:

Locate the Layers panel. If you can’t see the panel, open it by choosing Window > Layers.

Look at the „Background” layer. It could be locked (a small padlock appears close the right edge of the layer): 

To unlock the layer, choose Layer > New > Layer from Background and press OK.

Rename the layer by double-clicking directly on the layer’s name in the Layers panel and changing it to „Perspective”.

Step 2

Download the rubber texture and open it with Photoshop. 

Select the texture by choosing Select > All or pressing Command-A. Now copy the layer content by going to Edit > Copy or pressing Command-C.

Go back to the previous document (the one with the perspective) by clicking on the proper tab.

Now paste the rubber texture just copied by choosing Edit > Paste or pressing Command-V.

Rename the layer by double-clicking directly on the layer’s name in the Layers panel and changing it to „Rubber Texture”.

Close the rubber texture document. Don’t save changes to the document before closing.

Step 3

The rubber texture just imported is actually too large for our canvas, so choose Edit > Free Transform or press Command-T and drag a corner handle to resize the texture. Press Shift as you drag the corner handle to scale proportionally.

Move „Rubber Texture” layer behind „Perspective” by directly clicking and dragging the layer in the Layers panel:

3. How to Create the Smart Object

Step 1

In the Layers panel, select the „Perspective” layer and then choose the Rectangle Tool:

Move the cursor over the canvas and click. You’ll open a small dialog box that allows you to enter precise dimensions for your new shape. Type 1125 x 1125 px and click the OK button. The shape is created to the lower right of the point where you clicked.

Rename the layer by double-clicking directly on the layer’s name in the Layers panel and changing it to „Smart Object„.

Step 2

With the layer „Smart Object” selected, choose, in the top menu, Layer > Smart Object > Convert to Smart Object.

Now you should have a square (no matter the color) over the perspective image:

What we’re going to do now is distort the square (blue in my case) incorporated into the smart object to take the same shape of the black perspective image.

No worries! It’s easier than it looks. Just keep reading!

Step 3

Choose Edit > Transform > Scale. 

If we look closely, a thin bounding box appears around the rectangle. We can also see a small square in the top center, bottom center, left center, and right center, as well as a square in each of the four corners. These little squares are called „handles”, and we can transform whatever is inside the bounding box simply by dragging these handles around.

In this step, it’s extremely important that we transform the square using only the handles at the corners of the bounding box.

Move the mouse cursor over the handle on the top-right corner, press and hold the Command button on your keyboard (the cursor will change to a small white arrow), and then click and drag the handle until you touch the top-right corner of the black perspective square with your mouse cursor:

Again, move the cursor over the handle on the top-left corner, press and hold the Command button on your keyboard, and then click and drag the handle until you touch the top-left corner of the black square with your mouse cursor:

Repeat the same action with the corner at the bottom left:

Finally, do the same with the corner at the bottom right, and then press OK to confirm the changes:

Now you can remove the „Perspective” layer by selecting it in the Layers panel and choosing Layer > Delete > Layer. 

Good work! Now the Smart Object is in the right perspective. Everything we put inside the Smart Object will take the angle of the blue square. 

Now we’re ready to replace the blue square inside the smart object with a badge or logo to customize our project. Let’s go!

4. How to Prepare the Badge With Adobe Illustrator

As you have learned, we need a logo or badge to complete the scene. This badge will be a prominent element that later will be engraved in the rubber texture.

Fortunately, Envato Elements offers a wide range of high-quality badges and vector elements ready for use. Subscribe to unlock unlimited, high-quality badges, templates, photos and more for one monthly fee!

In this tutorial we’ll use a badge that comes from a great collection of 30 Vintage Style Badges and Logos:

Step 1

Open the vector .ai file with Adobe Illustrator. While you open the file, a window may pop up alerting you that the document uses fonts that are currently not available on your computer. No worries about that—all the fonts are free for use, and you can find a text file inside the folder with all the references and links to download each font.

For the purpose of this tutorial, I replaced the two commercial fonts with the following free fonts:

• ChunkFive Font
• Bree Serif Font

Step 2

Once you’re done with fonts, choose the Selection Tool (V).

Now select the „Seabreeze” badge (or whatever badge you like). Copy the badge by going to Edit > Copy or pressing Command-C.

Create a new 350 x 350 px document in Adobe Illustrator. Now paste the badge you just copied by choosing Edit > Paste or pressing Command-V.

Step 3

With the Selection Tool (V), move the badge over the grey area, out of the white canvas.

Before importing the badge into our scene in Photoshop, we need to expand the appearance, convert all the text to vector shapes, and remove the white area revealed now that we’ve moved the badge onto the grey area.

If the badge is not selected, select it by clicking on it with the Selection Tool (V).

In the top menu, choose Object > Expand Appearance.

Again, choose Object > Expand. A dialog window will appear; select Object and Fill and press OK:

Step 4

Locate the Pathfinder panel. If you can’t see the panel, open it by choosing Window > Pathfinder.

Choose Trim. The Trim button removes the part(s) of the objects that are overlapping or hidden.

Step 5

Now that the badge is 100% vector shapes, we can remove the white area.

Choose the Magic Wand Tool:

Move the cursor over a white area and click to select all the white areas of the badge:

If you need, magnify the canvas by using the Zoom Tool (Z).

Now that all the white areas of the badge are selected, remove them by choosing, in the top menu, Edit > Cut.

Now the badge is ready to be imported into the Photoshop scene!

5. How to Include the Badge in the Scene

Step 1

We’re still in the Adobe Illustrator workspace. If the badge is not selected, select it by clicking on it with the Selection Tool (V). Copy the badge by going to Edit > Copy or pressing Command-C.

Step 2

Go back to Photoshop, select the Smart Object from the Layers panel, and Double-click on the Smart Objects thumbnail.

When you edit a Smart Object, the source content is opened in a new window of Photoshop. Here, you can make any changes you like, and once you’re satisfied, all you need to do is save the file and the Photoshop Smart Object will be updated when you return to it.

Deactivate the visibility for the blue square layer:

Now, paste the badge just copied by choosing Edit > Paste or pressing Command-V.

From the dialog box, choose Smart Object and press OK.

Locate the top options bar and set the badge’s dimension to 562 x 562 px and its position to 440% for both Width and Height fields. When you’re done, press Enter on your keyboard:

Step 3

In the Layers panel, double-click the layer outside the layer name or thumbnail to open the Layer Style panel. Add a new Gradient Overlay, set the Blend Mode to Normal and the Opacity to 100%, and set the color of the overlay by clicking on the small color icon and typing the hex code #000000. 

Step 4

Save the document by choosing File > Save or using the keyboard shortcut Command-S.

Go back to the main document and you’ll notice that the smart object is now updated with the last changes. The badge, in fact, has taken the perspective of the smart object. 

6. How to Engrave the Badge Into the Rubber

It’s time to add some significant effects to the badge to give it a 3D feel, consistent with the scene.

Step 1

In the Layers panel, double-click the layer outside the layer name or thumbnail to open the Layer Style panel. 

Add a Bevel & Embossed style. In the Structure section, set the Style to Outer Bevel, Technique to Smooth, Depth to 100%, Direction Up, Size 4 px, and Soften 0 px.

In the Shading section, set the Angle to –153°, Altitude to 32°, Gloss Contour to Linear, Highlight Mode to Screen with white color #ffffff and Opacity to 0%, and finally Shadow Mode to Multiply with black color #000000 and Opacity to 50%.

Step 2

Add an Inner Shadow style. In the Structure section, set the Blend Mode to Multiply with black color #000000 and Opacity to 75%, Angle to 45°, Distance 5 px, Choke 0%, and Size 3 px. Finally, in the Quality section, set the Contour to Linear and the Noise to 5%.

Step 3

Add an Inner Glow style. In the Structure section, set the Blend Mode to Normal, Opacity to 35%, Noise to 0% and black #000000 for the color of the glow. 

In the Elements section, set the Technique to Softer, Source to Edge, Choke to 0%, and Size to 3 px. 

Finally, in the Quality section, set the Contour to Linear, Range to 50%, and Jitter to 0%. 

Step 4

Add a Gradient Overlay style. Set the Blend Mode to Multiply, Opacity to 100%, Style Linear, Angle 12°, and Scale 100%.

Now click on the gradient rectangle to edit the gradient colors.

Set the two opacity stops to 100% and add 4 color stops. Set the color stops from left to right as follows:

• First color stop: color #040203, location 1%
• Second color stop: #26272a, location 36%
• Third color stop: #5b5e66, location 54%
• Fourth color stop: #e3e4e9, location 100%

Press OK to confirm the changes:

Step 5

Add a Pattern Overlay style. Set the Blend Mode to Normal, Opacity to 100%, Scale to 100%, and click on the squared pattern icon:

A small window appears. Click on the tiny gear icon to open a flyout menu and choose Grayscale Paper. Click OK to replace the current patterns with the patterns from Grayscale Paper.

Choose Fiber 1 pattern from the list:

Step 6

Add an Outer Glow style. In the Structure section, set the Blend Mode to Screen, Opacity to 8%, Noise to 0%, and white #ffffff for the color of the glow.

In the Elements section, set the Technique to Softer, Spread to 0%, and Size to 10 px.

In the Quality section, set the Contour to Linear, Range to 100%, and Jitter to 0%.

Step 7

Add a Drop Shadow style. In the Structure section, set the Blend Mode to Normal with black  #000000 color, Opacity to 75%, Angle to -135°, Distance to 1 px, Spread to 0%, and Size to 1 px.

In the Quality section, set the Contour to Linear and Noise to 3%.

All the styles for the badge are done. Press OK to close the Layer Style panel and confirm the changes.

In the next step, I will show you how to add a smart filter with mask to the badge.

Step 8

Choose the Ellipse Tool and click somewhere on the canvas. Type 1053 x 684 px. Now locate the Properties panel and set the position to 705 px for X and 494 for Y axis.

Rename the layer by double-clicking directly on the layer’s name in the Layers panel and changing it to „Blur„.

Right click on the „Blur” layer and choose Rasterize Layer.

Choose Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, set the radius to 45 px, and press OK.

Deactivate the „Blur” layer by clicking on the small eye icon. 

Now press and hold the Command button on your keyboard and click on the layer thumbnail to make a selection of the ellipse.

Select the „Smart Object” layer, choose Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, and set the Radius to 4 px. 

You’ll notice that there’s a small thumbnail near the smart filter you just added. Select the thumbnail by clicking on it:

Locate the Properties panel (Window > Properties) and click on Invert.

7. How to Add Some Highlights Effects to the Badge

Step 1

In the Layers panel, select the „Smart Object” layer and choose Layer > New > Layer Via Copy to duplicate the layer.

Rename the layer by double-clicking directly on the layer’s name in the Layers panel and changing it to „Highlights„.

Right click on the „Highlights” layer and choose Clear Layer Style from the flyout menu.

Step 2

Add a Bevel & Embossed style. In the Structure section, set the Style to Inner Bevel, Technique to Smooth, Depth to 100%, Direction Up, Size 5 px, and Soften 0 px.

In the Shading section, set the Angle to 20°, Altitude to 70°, Gloss Contour to Linear, Highlight Mode to Overlay with white color #ffffff and Opacity to 75%, and finally Shadow Mode to Multiply with black color #000000 and Opacity to 0%.

Step 3

Add an Inner Shadow style. In the Structure section, set the Blend Mode to Multiply with black color #000000 and Opacity to 95%, Angle to 90°, Distance 4 px, Choke 0%, and Size 2 px.

Finally, in the Quality section, set the Contour to Linear and the Noise to 5%.

Step 4

Add a Drop Shadow style. In the Structure section, set the Blend Mode to Overlay with black  #000000 color, Opacity to 75%, Angle to 45°, Distance to 3 px, Spread to 0%, and Size to 4 px.

In the Quality section, set the Contour to Linear and Noise to 7%.

8. How to Add a Glossy Finish to the Badge

Step 1

Create a new layer above the „Highlights” layer by choosing Layer > New > Layer, type the name „Gradient„, and press OK.

Choose the Paint Bucket Tool and press D on your keyboard to set the foreground color to black.

Click somewhere on the canvas to fill the layer with black color. In the Layers panel set the Fill to 0%.

Step 2

In the Layers panel, double-click the layer outside the layer name or thumbnail to open the Layer Style panel. 

Add a Gradient Overlay style. Set the Blend Mode to Normal, Opacity to 100%, Style Linear, Angle 25°, and Scale 80%.

Now click on the gradient rectangle to edit the gradient colors.

Set the two opacity stops to 100% and add 2 color stops. Set the color stops from left to right as follows:

• First color stop: color #000000, location 50%
• Second color stop: #ffffff, location 64%

Press OK to confirm the changes:

Step 3

In the Layers panel, move your cursor on the „Gradient” layer, right-click on it, and choose Convert to Smart Object from the flyout menu.

Do another right-click and choose Create Clipping Mask to reveal the badge and apply the effect.

In the top menu, Choose Filter > Filter Gallery. The Filter Gallery dialog box appears.

Click on Distort category folder.

The folder expands and displays the filters in that category. A thumbnail illustrating the filter’s effect accompanies each filter. Choose Glass and set the Distortion to 4, the Smoothness to 1, Texture to Frosted, and Scaling to 112%.

Finally, press OK to confirm and apply the effect.

9. How to Add an Overall Light Source to the Scene 

In the Layers panel, select the „Rubber Texture” layer and then double-click the layer outside the layer name or thumbnail to open the Layer Style panel. 

Add a Gradient Overlay style. Set the Blend Mode to Overlay, Opacity to 60%, Style Linear, Angle 40°, and Scale 100%.

Now click on the gradient rectangle to edit the gradient colors.

Set the two opacity stops to 100% and add 2 color stops. Set the color stops from left to right as follows:

• First color stop: color #000000, location 1%
• Second color stop: #ffffff, location 100%

Press OK to confirm the changes:

Congratulations, You’re Done!

In this tutorial, you learned how to create a realistic Hot Rubber Stamp Mockup from scratch with Adobe Photoshop!

I hope that you’ve enjoyed my tutorial and learned something new. Please feel free to leave your comments, suggestions, and outcomes below.

Enjoy Photoshopping!

Post pobrano z: How to Create a Galaxy Pet Portrait Using Watercolour Paint

In this tutorial you will be creating a galaxy style portrait of a dog. This step-by-step process will show you how to use watercolours and gouache paint to achieve a beautiful galaxy look. This is a simple technique that is perfect for watercolour beginners or novices. I hope you enjoy it!

What You’ll Need

You’ll need the following equipment or similar, in order to complete this tutorial:

• 300 GSM cold-pressed watercolour paper
• Watercolours in Permanent Rose, French Ultramarine, Prussian Blue, and Phthalo Green
• Erasable or watercolour coloured pencils in pink, blue, and purple
• Watercolour brushes
• White gouache paint
• Cup of water

1. How to Paint the Galaxy Wet-on-Wet Technique

Step 1

First, draw the outline of your dog with your coloured pencils. This technique works great on any dog, but it works best on dogs with bicolour, particolour, harlequin, or tuxedo coats. The French Bulldog I’ve sketched out has a tuxedo coat. 

Wet the dog’s face area with plain water as the galaxy effect is a wet-on-wet watercolour technique (if you aren’t familiar with this term, it means you apply wet watercolour paint onto wet paper). Don’t apply too much water; you want a good even coverage and no water puddles. Don’t apply water to the inside of the ears, nose, or eye area. 

Step 2

Begin applying your watercolours. Start by applying permanent rose to your brush and dabbing your brush on the paper—you want 30% of the face to be pink. Clean your brush afterwards.

Step 3

Now, working fast, dab your brush covered in Prussian blue on the face, covering around 50% of the blank space. Don’t worry about blending for now. Clean your brush afterwards.

Step 4

Lastly, apply French ultramarine to the face by dabbing your pigment-soaked brush over the last areas of white space and any areas you feel necessary. Clean your brush afterwards.

Step 5

Now it’s time for blending! Get rid of any patchy areas by dabbing your clean brush (but not damp) in between the colours. Clean your brush afterwards.

Step 6

Now, with your clean brush, do the same as you first did with the face and apply clean water to the body. Don’t worry if colour runs from the face. 

Step 7

Saturate your brush with the permanent rose and dab onto the body. You can even just add long strokes of paint. Clean your brush afterwards.

Step 8

Dab onto the body with your brush covered in Prussian blue. Clean your brush afterwards.

Step 9

Fill in the rest of the blank space by dabbing ultramarine blue into the areas. Clean your brush afterwards.

Step 10

Define the leg area by adding more permanent rose. Clean your brush afterwards.

Step 11

Now, blend the colours together by dabbing in between the colours with a clean brush. Clean your brush afterwards.

2. How to Add Detail With Watercolour

Step 1

Define the eyes, legs, and shape of the dog by adding a outline with Prussian blue. Add some fur marks on the chest area by painting small strokes. Clean your brush afterwards.

Step 2

Add a layer of permanent rose and Prussian blue mixed together to the legs to create depth. Clean your brush afterwards.

Step 3

Add a layer of permanent rose on the forehead and to the chest area near the shoulders. Once it’s dried, add some strokes of permanent rose to the forehead to define the dog’s face wrinkles. Add some strokes on the shoulder to add fur-like details. Clean your brush afterwards.

Step 4

Add a layer of Prussian blue to the back legs. Clean your brush afterwards.

Step 5

Add a layer of clear water to inside the ears. Apply Prussian blue to the outward edge and create a gradient blend. Add some fur details to the paws with Prussian blue. Clean your brush afterwards.

Step 6

Add a layer of permanent rose to the collar. Clean your brush afterwards.

3. How to Paint Stars With Gouache

Step 1

Time to add the stars! Squeeze some white gouache onto a clean area of your watercolour pallet. Add a small amount of water to your gouache, enough to create a creamy consistency so you can easily spread around the paint. Then paint numerous vertical 1-2cm lines on the body and face.

Step 2

Paint horizontal lines through the vertical ones you’ve just painted to make a cross shape.

Step 3

Paint curved lines to create a diamond shape and fill in the area with gouache. These are the large stars.

Step 4

Now paint many small crosses near and around the large stars, with a larger number of crosses closer to the large stars. The crosses are the medium stars.

Step 5

Finally, for the small stars, paint many small dots around the other stars, leaving a few large gaps with no stars.

Step 6

For the finishing touches, add a few extra stars around. I added a few smaller large stars and medium stars.

4. How to Add Detail to the Eyes and Nose to Make the Painting Pop

Step 1

All that is left now is the eyes. Add white gouache to the inner corners of the eyes, and a circle of light at the top of the eye. Clean your brush afterwards.

Step 2

Next, use some green watercolour or any colour of your choice to paint a layer over the eye to create contrast.

Step 3

Lastly, we’ll work on the nose. Paint the lower area of the nose with French ultramarine in a gradient with the darkest area of blue at the bottom.

Awesome Work, You’re Now Done!

Doesn’t it look great? You’ve successfully sketched out your pet, applied the wet-on-wet galaxy technique, and added starry details to finish your beautiful portrait. What other illustrations can you apply this galaxy watercolour technique to? Please post your creations down below—I’d love to see them!