Create A New Year Card in Illustrator

Posted in Tutorials January 9th, 2012 By 13 Comments

Adobe Illustrator can be a little tricky to get your hands around, particularly after getting used to the workflow of applications like Photoshop. The differences between layer use and the creation of objects and shapes can be really strange at first hand.

In the following steps you will learn how to create the Happy New Year card in Adobe Illustrator. I will explain to you step by step on how to create a cute dragon curled up in clouds. You’ll learn how to use Clipping Mask, gradient, and create strokes in Appearance panel.

Let’s get started!

Final Result

Let’s see what you will be creating in this tutorial.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Step 1:

Create a 1366px by 768px, RGB document.

Step 2:

Using pen tool draw the shape as drawn in turn below.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Step 3:

3.1. Fill the shape selected with R= 141, G=198, B=63.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.2. Fill the shape selected with R=65, G=64, B=66.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.3. Create a white shape as shown below and fill it with the radial gradient

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Duplicate (Ctrl + C, Ctrl + F) the resulting shape once time, move the copies 1px to the left and replace the existing color with R=0, G=104, B=56. Finally send it backward (Ctrl + Left Square Bracket)

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Next create a black shape as shown below and fill it with black. While the resulting shape selected, go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 3.4 px Radius and then click OK.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create two white shapes as shown below and fill it with white. While the resulting shapes selected, go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 3.4 px Radius and then click OK.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.4. Create a yellow shape and fill it with the radial gradient. Then send it backward (Ctrl + Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.5 Draw a red shape as shown below and fill it with the radial gradient.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.6. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and use it to create a magenta shape as shown below. Then fill it with R=135, G=186, B=37 (Stroke = None). While the resulting shape selected, go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur, enter a 11px Radius and then click OK. Finally, press (Ctrl + Left Square Bracket) some times to send the resulting shape backward.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.7. Continue with the Pen Tool (P). Use this tool to create three white shapes as shown in the first image below. While the newly created shapes selected, pick the Eyedropper Tool (I) and then click on the shape created in the previous step.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.8. Draw a white shape as shown in the first image and fill it with the linear gradient. While the resulting shape selected, go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur, enter a 11px Radius and then click OK.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.9. Create three white shapes as shown in the first image and then fill them with R=160, G=216, B=39. While the resulting shapes selected, go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 15px Radius and then click OK. Finally, lowered their Opacity to 46%.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.10. Create yellow shapes as shown in the first image. Then group them (Ctrl + G) and fill this group with R=249, G=237, B=50. Next, lowered the Opacity of this group to 22%.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create yellow shapes as shown in the first image. Then group them (Ctrl + G) and fill this group with R=215, G=223, B=35. Next, lowered the Opacity of this group to 25%.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Select and group (Ctrl + G) two newly created groups. Then duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) the shape selected as shown in the first image one time and bring the copies to front (Ctrl + Shift + Right Square Bracket). While the resulting shape selected, hold down Shift and click on the group just created in the previous. Next go to the Object menu/ Clipping Mask/ Make (Ctrl + 7).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.11. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and use it to create a green shape as shown in the first image. Then fill it with the radial gradient.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

While the resulting shape selected, go to the Object menu/ Path/ Offset Path. In the Offset Path box, enter a -6px Offset and click OK. Fill the newly created shape with the linear gradient. Next move it 1px to the right and then move it 1px down.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Draw a white shape as shown below and fill it with R=33, G=68, B=5. Then go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 3.2px Radius and click OK.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.12. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and use it to create a red shape as shown in the first image below. Then fill the resulting shape with R=237, G=28, B=36. Next draw a yellow curver line and then lowered its Opacity to 15%.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Draw a curve as shown below. Then fill it with none and add a 1px stroke (R=251, G=176, B=64). Finally lowered its Opacity to 15%.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.13. Continue with the Pen Tool (P). Use it to create white shapes as shown below. Next fill them with white and then send them backward (Ctrl + Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.14. Draw a white shape as shown below and then fill it with R=159, G=204, B=74

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Continue draw a white shape and fill it with R=145, G=196, B=55.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Next create a white shape as shown below and then fill it with the linear gradient.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Draw a red shape as shown in the first image below and fill it with R=106, G=149, B=47.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.15. Continue draw a white shape and fill it with R=171, G=221, B=82.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Select and group (Ctrl+G) two newly created shapes. Then duplicate this group (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) once time. Next rotate the copies a bit and move it to the correct possition as shown in the first image. Finally send it to back (Ctrl + Shift + Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.16. Now pick the Pen Tool (P) and use it to create white shapes as shown below. Next fill them with the linear gradient.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Draw a red shape and fill it with the linear gradient. While the resulting shape selected, go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur, enter a 11px Radius and then click OK. Next press (Ctrl + Left Square Bracket) some times to send the result behind white shapes created in this step.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.17. Create white shapes as shown below and then fill them with the linear gradient.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Select and group (Ctrl+G) all shapes just created in the previous step. Next duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) newly created group once time. Finally send the copies backward (Ctrl + Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

3.18. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and use it to create a red shape as shown below. Then fill it with a radial gradient.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a red shape and fill it with R=107, G= 158, B=33. While the resulting shape selected, go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 11px Radius and then click OK. Finally send the result backward (Ctrl + Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Use the Pen Tool (P) to create a red shape as shown below. Next fill it with a radial gradient.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Continue use the Pen Tool (P) to create new shape and then fill it with the radial gradient. Next send the result to back (Ctrl + Shift + Left Square Bracket)

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Continue create the shape as shown below.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Now create two shapes as shown below.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Fill them with the linear gradient.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Continue draw two black shapes and fill them with the linear gradient.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Step 4:

4.1. Select the red shape as shown below and fill it with R=215, G=223, B=35 (Stroke=None)

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

4.2. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and use it to create a black shape as shown below. Next fill the black shape with R=141, G=198, B=63 (Stroke=None)

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

4.3. Select and fill the yellow shape with R=215, G=223, B=35 (Stroke=None).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

4.4. Use the Pen Tool (P) to create a green shape as shown below. Next fill it with R=141, G=198, B=63 (Stroke=None).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

4.5. Fill three remaining shapes with R=141, G=198, B=63 (Stroke=None)

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Step 5:

5.1. Draw a black shape as shown in the first image. Next press (Ctrl + Left Square Bracket) some times to get the result as shown in the second image.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Fill the resulting shape with R=141, G=198, B=63 and then go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 15px Radius and then click OK.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Select the yellow shape as shown in the first image and duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) it once time. Next bring the copies to front (Ctrl+Shift+Right Square Bracket). While the resulting shape selected, hold down Shift and click on the shape blurred in the previous step and then go to the Object menu/ Clipping Mask/ Make (Ctrl +7).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

5.2. Draw a black shape as shown in the first image. Next select the green shape as shown in the second image and go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 15px Radius and then click OK.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Select the yellow shape as shown in the first image and duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) it once time. Next bring the copies to front (Ctrl + Shift + Right Square Bracket). While the resulting shape selected, hold down Shift and click on the shape blurred in the previous step and go to the Object menu/ Clipping Mask/ Make (Ctrl +7).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Next fill the black shape with R=141, G=198, B=63 (Stroke=None)

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a black shape as shown in the first image and fill it with R=215, G=223, B=35. Then press (Ctrl+ Left Square Bracket) some times to get the result as shown in the second image. While the resulting shape selected, go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 10px Radius and then click OK.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

5.3. Select the green shape as shown below and duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) it once time. Next bring the copies to front (Ctrl + Shift + Right Square Bracket). While the resulting shape selected, hold down Shift and click on the shape blurred in the previous step and go to the Object menu/ Clipping Mask/ Make (Ctrl + 7). Finally press (Ctrl + Left Square Bracket) some times to get the result as shown in the fourth image below.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Step 6:

6.1. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and use it to create a black shape as shown below. Next press (Ctrl + Left Square Bracket) some times to get the result as shown in the second image.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Fill the resulting shape with R=107, G=176, B=64. And then go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 15px Radius and then click OK.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Select the yellow shape as shown below and duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) it once time. Bring the copies to front (Ctrl+Shift+ Right Square Bracket). While the resulting shape selected, hold down Shift and click on the shape blurred in the previous step and go to the Object menu/ Clipping Mask/ Make (Ctrl+7). Then press (Ctrl + Left Square Bracket) some times to get the result as shown in the final image below.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

6.2. Continue with the Pen Tool (P). Use it to create a black shape as shown below. Fill the resulting shape with R=107, G=176, B=64. And then go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 15px Radius and then click OK.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

6.3. Continue with the Pen Tool (P). Use it to create a black shape as shown below. Fill the resulting shape with R=46, G=153, B=69. And then go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 15px Radius and then click OK.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Select the yellow shape as shown below and duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) it once time. Bring the copies to front (Ctrl + Shift + Right Square Bracket). While the resulting shape selected, hold down Shift and click on the shape blurred in the previous step and go to the Object menu/ Clipping Mask/ Make (Ctrl+7).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

6.4. Continue with the Pen Tool (P). Use it to create a black shape as shown below. Fill the resulting shape with R=44, G=153, B=69. And then go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 18px Radius and then click OK.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Next select the green shape as shown below and duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) it once time. Bring the copies to front (Ctrl + Shift + Right Square Bracket). While the resulting shape selected, hold down Shift and click on the shape blurred in the previous step and go to the Object menu/ Clipping Mask/ Make (Ctrl+7).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

6.5. Continue with the Pen Tool (P). Use it to create a black shape as shown below. Fill the resulting shape with R=46, G=163, B=65. And then go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 25px Radius and then click OK.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Step 7:

7.1. Draw a line as shown in the first image below and then open the Appearance panel (Window/ Appearance). Next click on the Stroke section (blue color). Then set data as shown in the second image. Next click on the Add New Stroke button (at bottom-left corner position of Apearance panel ). Then click on the Stroke section of new stroke and set data as shown in the third image. Finally select the line just edited and go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 4.3px Radius and then click OK.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

7.2. Draw curves as shown below. Next select all curves. Then pick the Eyedropper Tool (I) and click on the line created in the previous step. Next group these curves and lowered Opacity of this group to 20%.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) the yellow shape one time and bring the copies to front (Ctrl+Shift+Right Square Bracket). While the resulting shape selected, hold down Shift and click on the group created in the previous step. Next go to the Object menu/ Clipping Mask/ Make (Ctrl + 7). Finally press (Ctrl+ Left Square Bracket) some times to send the result behind the head of dragon.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

7.3. Draw curves as shown below. Next select all curves. Then pick the Eyedropper Tool (I) and click on the line created in the previous step. Next group these curves and lowered Opacity of this group to 20%.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) the yellow shape once time and bring the copies to front (Ctrl+Shift+Right Square Bracket). While the resulting shape selected, hold down Shift and click on the group created in the previous step. Next go to the Object menu/ Clipping Mask/ Make (Ctrl + 7). Finally press (Ctrl+ Left Square Bracket) some times to send the result behind green shapes.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Do the same as the step 7.3 to get the result as shown in the final image below.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Step 8:

8.1. Create black shapes as shown below. Next fill them with R=215, G=223, B=35 and then group (Ctrl+G) them. Lowered Opacity of this group to 30%

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) the green shape once time and bring the copies to front (Ctrl+Shift+Right Square Bracket). While the resulting shape selected, hold down Shift and click on the group created in the previous step. Next go to the Object menu/ Clipping Mask/ Make (Ctrl + 7).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

8.2. Create black shapes as shown below. Next fill them with R=215, G=223, B=35 and then group (Ctrl+G) them. Lowered Opacity of this group to 25%

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

8.3. Continue create black shapes as shown below. Next fill them with R=215, G=223, B=35 and then group (Ctrl+G) them. Lowered Opacity of this group to 25%

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) the green shape once time and bring the copies to front (Ctrl+Shift+Right Square Bracket). While the resulting shape selected, hold down Shift and click on the group just created in the previous and then go to the Object menu/ Clipping Mask/ Make (Ctrl+7).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

8.4. Continue create black shapes as shown below. Next fill them with R=215, G=223, B=35 and then group (Ctrl+G) them. Lowered Opacity of this group to 25%

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) the green shape once time and bring the copies to front (Ctrl+Shift+Right Square Bracket). While the resulting shape selected, hold down Shift and click on the group just created in the previous and then go to the Object menu/ Clipping Mask/ Make (Ctrl+7).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Step 9:

9.1. Create a curves as shown below. Then fill it with R=141, G=198, B=63 and add a 1px Stroke (R=215, G=223, B=35). Next go to the Appearance panel (Window/ Appearance), lowered the Opacity of Stroke to 20%.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create three shapes as shown below and fill them with the radial gradient.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Send shapes selected as shown below to back (Ctrl + Shift + Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create three black shapes as shown below and then fill them with R=230, G=231, B=232 (Stroke=None). Select and group (Ctrl + G) all shapes created from beginning step 9.1 to this time.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

9.2. Continue create a black shapes as shown below and fill them with R=215, G=223, B=35. Finally lowered their Opacity to 25%/

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

9.3. Create a shape as shown below. Then fill it with R=141, G=198, B=63 and add a 1px Stroke (R=215, G=223, B=35). Next go to the Appearance panel (Window/ Appearance), lowered the Opacity of Stroke to 20%.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Continue create shapes as shown below.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Select and group (Ctrl + G) all shapes created from beginning step 9.3 to this time.. Then send this group to back (Ctrl+Shift+Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

9.4. Duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) the group created in the step 9.1 once time. Next place the copies to the correct position as shown in the second image. Finally reduce the size of the group just created.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create black shapes as shown below. Next fill them with R=215, G=223, B=35. Group (Ctrl+G) these shapes and lowered Opacity of this group to 25%.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

9.5. Create a shape as shown below. Then fill it with R=141, G=198, B=63 and add a 1px Stroke (R=215, G=223, B=35). Next go to the Appearance panel (Window/ Appearance), lowered the Opacity of Stroke to 20%.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Continue create shapes as shown below.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Bring the shape selected as shown in the third image below to front (Ctrl+Shift+Right Square Bracket). Next select and group all shapes created from beginning step 9.5 to this time. Finally send this group to back (Ctrl + Shift + Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Step 10:

10.1. Create a black curve as shown below. Next fill it with the linear gradient (Stroke=None)

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a red shape as shown in the first image and then fill it with R=107, G=176, B=64. While the resulting shape selected, go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 15px Radius and then click OK.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) the yellow shape selected as shown in the first image. While the copies selected, hold down Shift and click on the shape just blurred and then go to the Object menu/ Clipping Mask/ Make (Ctrl+7).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create black shapes as shown below. Fill them with R=215, G=223, B=35 and then group (Ctrl+G) them. Next lowered Opacity of this group to 45%.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) the yellow shape selected as shown in the first image. While the copies selected, hold down Shift and click on the group just created and then go to the Object menu/ Clipping Mask/ Make (Ctrl+7). Select and group (Ctrl+G) all shapes created from beginning step 10.1 to this time

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

10.2. Do the same as the step10.1 to get the result as shown in the final image below.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

10.3. Select and group (Ctrl+G) all shapes created in the step 10.2. Next place two wings to the correct positions as shown below. Then select the left wing and send it back (Ctrl+Shift+Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Step 11:

11.1. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and use it to create red shapes as shown below. Then fill them with R=0, G=133, B=56. Next send three shapes selected as shown in the third image to back (Ctrl+Shift+Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

11.2. Continue with the Pen Tool (P). Use it to create red shapes as shown below. Then fill them with R=0, G=133, B=56.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

11.3. Use the Pen Tool (P) to create a red shape as shown below. Then fill it with R=0, G=133, B=56. Next press (Ctrl + Left Square Bracket) some times to get the result as shown in the second image.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

11.4. Continue with the Pen Tool (P). Use it to create red shapes as shown below. Then fill them with R=0, G=133, B=56.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Step 12:

Create black shapes as shown below and then fill them with the linear gradient.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Note: Send the shape created in the second image to back (Ctrl+Shift+Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a black shape and then fill it with the linear gradient. Next send the result to back (Ctrl+Shift+Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Continue create a red shape and then fill it with the linear gradient.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Step 13:

13.1. Create a black shape as shown below and then fill it with the linear gradient. Next press (Ctrl + Left Square Bracket) some times to get the result as shown in the third image.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

13.2. Do the same as the previous step to get the result as shown in the third image.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

13.3. Continue with the Pen Tool (P). Use this tool to create a black shape as shown below and then fill it with the linear gradient.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

13.4. Use the Pen Tool (P) to create a black shape as shown below and then fill it with the linear gradient. Next press (Ctrl + Left Square Braket) some times to get the result as shown in the second image.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

13.5. Use the Pen Tool (P) to draw white shapes as shown below. Next select and group (Ctrl+G) all shapes just created. While the group selected, go to the Window menu/ Stroke (Ctrl + F10). In the Stroke panel, check the Dashed Line box. Enter 2pt in the dash box and 2pt in the gap box.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Select the group just edited and the red larger shape and then group (Ctrl+G) them. Next press (Ctrl + Left Square Bracket) some times to get the result as shown below.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Step 14:

14.1. Select all shapes (head, wings, scarf) as shown below and then group (Ctrl+G) them. Next bring this group to front (Ctrl+Shift+Right Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

14.2. Select all shapes as shown below and then group (Ctrl+G) them. Next send this group to back (Ctrl+Shift+Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

14.3. Select all shapes as shown below and then group (Ctrl+G) them. Next send this group to back (Ctrl+Shift+Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

14.4. Select all shapes as shown below and then group (Ctrl+G) them. Next send this group to back (Ctrl+Shift+Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

14.5. Select all shapes as shown below and then group (Ctrl+G) them. Next send this group to back (Ctrl+Shift+Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

14.6. Select all shapes as shown below and then group (Ctrl+G) them. Next send this group to back (Ctrl+Shift+Left Square Bracket).

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Step 15:

15.1. Use the Pen Tool (P) to create a shape as shown below. Then fill it with the radial gradient. While the resulting shape selected, go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 75% Radius and then click OK.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

15.2. Create three shapes as shown in the first image and then fill them with the radial gradient. While the resulting shape selected, go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. In the Gaussian Blur box, enter a 50% Radius and then click OK.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

15.3. Do the same as the previous step to get results as shown below.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Step 16:

16.1. Select and group (Ctrl + G) all shapes (except cloud shapes) and bring this group to front (Ctrl + Shift + Right Square Bracket). Next place the group just created to the correct position as shown below and then ungroup.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

16.2. Next create cloud shapes and place them to the correct positions as shown below.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

16.3. Reselect cloud shapes just created in the previous step and press (Ctrl + Left Square Bracket ) some times to get the result as shown below.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

16.4. Continue create cloud shapes and place them to the correct positions as shown below.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Step 17:

17.1. Create a rectangle shape and fill it with the radial gradient.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

17.2. Send the rectangle shape to back (Ctrl + Shift + Left Square Bracket) and place it to the correct position as shown below. And here also is final image.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Final Result

Here’s the final result. I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial.

Create a New Year Card in Illustrator

Conclusion

As difficult as it looks I’m very sure if you follow my tutorial you will find a lot of help using your skills and images to produce your own creation! Ones again Thank you for using our tutorial, we will be very happy to answer any questions that you may have, You can simply leave a feedback and or a comment bellow.

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Meet the Author:

Nguyen Ngoc Bao

Ngoc Bao is a part of the writing team at instantShift Design Magazine. He loves to write about tech gadgets. Also, he loves playing with Photoshop and illustrator in his free time.
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13 Comments

  1. Social Bullets January 9, 2012

    All i can say that i really like the way you tell people about designing stuff step by step. It’s quite easy for people to understand and learn quickly.

    Reply
  2. Neorelic January 9, 2012

    Great tutorial! This is definitely one of the most comprehensive step-by-step guides I’ve seen. It’s clear you put a lot of time and effort into this.

    Reply
  3. keysha January 9, 2012

    hiii… i like new design instantshift… simple minimalist and elegant…

    Reply
  4. web2feeds January 10, 2012

    This looks pretty nice, I will try it out!

    Reply
  5. Henry Louis January 11, 2012

    It is very interesting way of step wise procedure about how to create a new year card in illustrator. I like it very much. Thanks for sharing. Keep updating.

    Reply
  6. BaoNguyen January 13, 2012

    Thanks all

    Reply
  7. John January 21, 2012

    This dragon looks really cute!

    Reply
  8. Apartmani Becici March 1, 2012

    Great, I really like this

    Reply
  9. Web dizajn March 1, 2012

    Really awesome, thanks a lot

    Reply
  10. Iznajmljivanje Vozila April 9, 2012

    I like this, thank you for nice tutorial.

    Reply
  11. Jefferly Gates June 10, 2012

    great.. i will try to practice your tutorial

    thanks a lot :)

    Reply

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