How To Illustrate A Candle

August 26, 2007 in Tutorials, Vector by Vyoma | 6 comments

Candle Illustration Walkthrough

  • Software: Inkscape (or any other vector graphics editor)
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Subject: Candle

Illustration of a candle requires use of gradients. The candle itself is usually a light source in a scene – if there are other light sources, then that needs to be accounted too.

For this walkthrough, only the candle is considered as the light source.

Candle Illustration - Phase 1

Start of by creating the basic shape. Use a rectangle tool and edit the paths to create the curve at the top and bottom.

Candle Illustration - Phase 2

Now copy the shape over itself, and then edit its path to invert the curve at the top. Make another copy, paste it over it and then choose a gradient fill to darken the lower parts of the candle. (As I mentioned earlier, we are assuming the candle light to be only source of light).

Candle Illustration - Phase 3

Choose a bezier line tool and draw the wick.

Now, the fun part.

Candle Illustration - Phase 4

With the bezier tool, create the flame shape. (Refer to the Step 10 of How To Illustrate A Plant). Fill it up with a yellow flame color and make the outline to zero width. Make the lower part of the flame fade to transperency with the gradient operation. You might also copy the shape over it and give it a secondary orange color gradient.

Candle Illustration - Phase 5

Use the ellipse tool and create the area where the light will radiate out from the flame.

Candle Illustration - Phase 6

Swith on the gradient to be solid yellow light color to transperent on the edges. Then bring down the transperancy of the shape and move it to just behind the flame shapes.

Place it on a darker background and tweak it a little bit to your satisfaction.

Candle Illustration - Final

This version of the candle is pretty iconic. You could work on the base of the candle and show the dripping wax, and make it uneven looking to give it a bit more realistic feel. (I might think of doing a tutorial on that).

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  2. Linze’s avatar

    Linze on October 5, 2007 at 12:45 am

    I like what you did here thank you. I am trying to do the glow effect with a crystal. How ever I am running into so problems, could ya help?

    Reply

  3. Vyoma’s avatar

    Vyoma on October 5, 2007 at 1:20 am

    Hi Linze, you can drop me a mail at my contact form. I would be glad to help. :)

    Reply

  4. catalina’s avatar

    catalina on April 16, 2009 at 5:24 pm

    I don’t understand nothing:@

    Reply

  5. camila chaves’s avatar

    camila chaves on April 16, 2009 at 5:34 pm

    Oh my god! I cannot do it this one very complicated

    Reply

  6. Free Vector Art’s avatar

    Free Vector Art on January 3, 2010 at 9:00 pm

    Great tutorial for beginners. Keep up the good work!

    Reply