- Software: Inkscape or Illustrator
- Level: Beginner
- Subject: Bell
Looking back at the couple of tutorial posts I made here, I realized that I had made a lot of complex and ‘Advance’ level tutorials lately. So, here is a simple tutorial that should get you started with your favourite vector editor. I used Inkscape.
Waist, Crown, and Lip
The main single part of a bell is its waist, crown and lip. Start of by creating a squat rectangle. In Inkscape you would want to convert the shape to a path (Path -> Object to Path) so that we can sculpt the main shape out of this.
Pull up the top segment of the rectangle to make the crown of the bell.
Pull in the vertical llines and make them wavy. Try to keep the two sides symmetrical.
Clapper
Next make the clapper. Start of with a proportionally smaller rectangle.
Convert the object to path and delete of the two bottom (or two top nodes). This will result in what seems to be a line segment, but is actually two line segments with their end points connecting each other. Use the Path edit tool (F2) like you did before and pull down one of the line segments.
Assemble
Align the two one below the other - you have the basic shape of a bell. From this point onwards, you can give it any kind of treatment you want.
The extent to which you want to extend it further wholly depends on you. You can keep it simple solid colors to give it a cut-out effect, or you could give it a glossy look. It is entirely upto you to show your style.
Do post a link to your versions in the comment area below.
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July 16, 2008 at 8:16 pm
What is GIMP?
Thank you for this simple tutorial. Could you tag your tutorial with their difficulty level and programs? I am looking for beginner level tutorials for Inkscape and GIMP. Thanks!
July 17, 2008 at 3:37 am
Vyoma
You are welcome, What is GIMP? (odd name there!).
As far as tagging the tutorials goes, I am intending to do that. But with over 80+ tutorials that I have posted here over a year, it seems like a daunting task, but I would get to it. Hope this latest Wordpress blogging engine would be some help in that terms.