How To Illustrate A Plant

• Software: Inkscape – you may be able to use other vector graphics editor but the instructions in this tutorial are quite specific to Inkscape.
• Level: Intermediate
• Subject: Plant – it is similar to the free clipart given away last time.

Step 1

Start of by using the Bezier Curve/Straight line tool and draw a rather narrow triangle. Orientation is not an issue.

Step 2

Choose the tool that lets you edit path nodes and control handles. (F2 in Inkscape). Select all the nodes, by pressing Ctrl+A.

Step 3

Then you need to add nodes between these nodes 5 to 10 times.

Experiment with it few times, and you will get the hang of how many times you need to ’subdivide’.

Step 4

Use the bezier tool (Shift+F6) to create another curved path. You should be able to do it with two or three nodes.

Step 5

Select the subdivided triangle first and then the path. Next choose Effects > Generate From Path > Pattern Along Path.

Choose the following options and hit OK.

• Copies of the pattern: Sinlge, stretched
• Deformation type: Snake
• Rest of the settings should not matter.

A new shape should be created as shown.

Step 6

Move it aside and select the edit node tool. (Shift+F2).

Step 7

Press Ctrl+L or Path > Simplify - one or two times.

Step 8

Repeat the steps or create copies and deform it to get the shapes of various branching part of the plant. Position them in the desired fashion.

Step 9

Apply the union operation on all those shapes. (Path > Union or Ctrl++)

Step 10

We will now create the leaf shape. I will try to explain this in a bit more detail.

Start of with the bezier tool and mark a point. Move the cursor away, and mark the second point.

After the second point is placed, move the cursor over to the first point to place the third point.

In effect, we have created a polygon with two edges.

Begin shaping the leaf, by pulling out one of the edges and curving it.

Repeat the same on the other edge to get the leaf shape.

Step 11

Make copies of the leaf shape, scale them, rotate them and position them along the plant shape you created earlier.

Step 12

To finish it off, apply colors and your are done. You can make several variants with this set of design proccess.

Let me know if you want clarification at any step. Do post your designs in the comment section.

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