illustration how to create a geometric, wpap …...aim for a photo that has even lighting and does...
TRANSCRIPT
ILLUSTRATION
How to Create a Geometric,WPAP Vector Portrait in AdobeIllustratorby Wedha Abdul Rasyid 17 Sep 2013 133 Comments English
453
Tuts+ has the honor to present to you a vector tutorial from a true legend, WedhaAbdul Rasyid.
Wedha, originally from Indonesia, created his art work in traditional mediums early inthe 1990s, which later in early 2000, crossed over into the digital world. Vector beingthe natural choice for such a colorful, geometric style.
Since then, it has gained major popularity in Indonesia, with several communitiesdedicated to the creation and showcasing of portraits in a WPAP style, withmembers in their thousands! With the resurgence of the geometric trend, it's fair tosay that WPAP may venture out of Indonesia and into more aspects of design.
The following is a tutorial on how to create a WPAP (Wedha's Pop Art Portrait)portrait in Adobe Illustrator, by the WPAP master himself!
1. An Introduction to the WPAP Process
WPAP's main goal is to represent the faces that are already familiar to us, with anew and different style, but it still must be easily recognizable. Different in a sense ofbeing more unique, more dynamic, more striking and of course, more visuallypleasing to see, I hope.
With that in mind, the WPAP creative process is based on two main processes; thefaceting process and the coloring process. I do these two processes simultaneouslywhen creating a new portrait.
The Faceting ProcessIn the faceting process, by tracing the image, I divide the human face into facets.Every facet (plane) is formed based on the different degrees of dark and bright areasseen on the original photo. Every facet is formed by straight lines, instead of curvedlines. This is because facets that are formed by straight lines will appear strongerthan a facet formed by curved lines.
Before we start the process, we should begin to see and assume the face of ahuman being as a shape that consists of many flat surfaces on a sphere, just like theball in the below image. This is how best to describe the faceting process.
The Coloring ProcessIn coloring, to show something stronger, I only use flat colors, instead of a gradualcolors. Although the colors look as if they collide with each other, effort should bemade to make it look threedimensional.
Creative experts will classify colors in groups. You have groups of hot colors, warmcolors, cold colors. Think of them in terms of dark and light colors, ignoring the actualhue. Think more of colors in highlights, midtones and shadow. The differences inthese groups make it possible for us to make a dimensional composition. No matterwhat color you choose, as long as you pick it from the right group, the result shouldwork well in this format. Therefore it is important to experiment with color.
2. Prepare Your Document
Step 1The faceting process is based on photo tracing. So the photo selection is importantbecause a good photo in quality, image sharpness, lighting and resolution, will helpyou to create a good final rendering of a WPAP piece.
Aim for a photo that has even lighting and does not hit extremes, either in light orshadow. Also make sure that the image is sharp and in focus. For this tutorial I'mgoing to be creating a portrait of my beloved Grand Daughter, Ola.
Step 2Open Adobe Illustrator and create a New document (File > New). Set the size andother settings as shown below.
Step 3Go to File > Place and locate your reference image and place it on your artboard.Lock the layer the photo is contained in and then Create New Layer above thephoto. This is where you'll be drawing your faceted shapes.
3. Create Your First Shapes
Step 1
I usually start the tracing process by selecting an area with a definite boundarybetween the dark and bright areas. This is so I can easily do the tracing. And thesmallest part usually becomes my first choice. In this case, the eyes and thesurrounding areas.
Using the Rectangle Tool (M), I trace the highlight in the iris, that still seems vaguein the photo. This shape has a fill with no stroke. All shapes created will be in thisstyle.
Step 2In the original photograph, the iris, purple and eyelid edges have a dark color and it'sclear to where you can define the edges of this shape. I will trace this section, thistime I will use the Pen Tool (P).
Step 3Of course, the highlight you've drawn in the first step will now be hidden by the newlayer. To make it visible, while the iris and eyelid still active, you will need torearrange your shapes by going to Object > Arrange > Send to Back. At this stage,the "white" of the eye has a clear edge, so you can go ahead and create this shapeto complete the eye. As easy as this is, it's about to get more difficult.
4. Create More Complex Shapes
Step 1We will now trace the closest area next to the previous objects. Unfortunately, we
have here no vivid and clear boundary between the dark and bright area. Thismakes it more difficult in creating the shapes for the portrait.
Facing such a case, intuitively, you have to be confident enough to determine theboundary for the shape. A solid grasp of the human face and a good image to workfrom can help a great deal here.
Create your straight edged shape along the corner of the eyelid, making sure youoverlap the shapes for the eye so it doesn't leave any gaps between the shapes.Then as before, rearrange the shapes by going to Object > Arrange > Send toBack.
Step 2We come to the same problem for the next shape; no visible boundary for the shape.Again, with confidence you will need to create the shape. Notice how I've created anotsosquare shape and distorted the shape so it shows the darker shadow castfrom the eyelashes. You will find similar shapes throughout which use this samemethod.
Step 3This is a problem you will come across over and over again. It may be a boring andtedious process, however it is the only way to create a proper WPAP composition.
You may think of using Posterizing or Live Trace, but no, I don't use those facilitiesas they do not create the same style.
Step 4We are still going to find the unclear and even invisible boundaries for each potentialshape. The best way to overcome this problem is through the experience ofrepeatedly creating artwork in this style.
The process is duplicated throughout:
Draw the shape with the Pen Tool (P) using only straight lines.Fill with the appropriate color given it's exposure to light.
Select the shape and rearrange it by going to Object > Arrange > Send toBack.
All portraits will use a different series of shapes, so I can only show you the shapesI've drawn for Ola's portrait. I start by drawing further shapes around the eye area.
Step 5Then I work on the shapes for the other eye and nose. I then connect these areaswith shapes and add white shapes for areas under extreme light.
Step 6I use larger shapes in the less detailed areas, such as the cheeks and neck.
Step 7The hair starts with thinner, parallel sided shapes on diagonals. Remember to avoidusing curves at all costs.
As you can see, I love to make facets with vertical or horizontal sides. This willstrengthen the overall composition and style. My priority is always facialresemblance, this is the most important element of the portrait.
5. Play with Color
After going through several revisions, this is my final artwork. Choosing the rightcolor is the most difficult part in the process of WPAP. This can be a hard element tograsp when working with the style as a beginner.
Step 1If you're starting out, it will be easier if you paint it from the beginning with thegrayscale tones, as you can clearly see which areas use dark and bright shapes.
From there, you can build up the number of colors you introduce to the process,however it's not until you use a full color spectrum that you'll create a more strikingportrait.
Step 2We can try to play with colors to create a different aesthetic. Try using Illustrator'sRecolor Artwork feature to experiment with different combinations of colors.
Awesome Work, Wedha!
We'd like to thank Wedha for his wonderful tutorial and insight into his unique style ofrendering portraits. He's a great example of how a great traditional style of art cancross over perfectly to vector and have such an impact in our respective vectorcommunities. We're left inspired!
Have you created a portrait in this style? If so, please share with us yourcreation!
Suggested Envato Tuts+ Course
Difficulty:Intermediate
Length:Long
Categories:
Illustration Art Vector Geometric Retro Graphic Design Adobe Illustrator Global Influences
Translations:Bahasa IndonesiaPусский
Envato Tuts+ tutorials are translated into other languages by our community members—you can be involved too!
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About Wedha Abdul Rasyid
Creator of Wedha's Pop Art Portraits, Native Indonesian Pop Art
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133 Comments Vectortuts+ Login1
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• Reply •
Dien Yodha • 2 years ago
excuse me...
109
Wedha Abdul Rasyid • 2 years ago> Dien Yodha
Recommend 25
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• Reply •
Wedha Abdul Rasyid • 2 years ago> Dien Yodha
Exelent work of Yours Dien Yodha, I love this. 13
• Reply •
Gunawan Syarifuddin • 2 years ago> Dien Yodha
I want to vote this many times, but can't :D 1
• Reply •
Margote Margotine • 7 months ago> Dien Yodha
Wow !!! i have no other word...
• Reply •
Kang Bae Dal • 8 months ago> Dien Yodha
grrrrr8!!
• Reply •
Al Tucker • a year ago> Dien Yodha
wow!
• Reply •
Jeff • 2 years ago> Dien Yodha
I wasn't sure what to say but this is so good I had to say something! Really nicejob...
• Reply •
Gunawan Syarifuddin • 2 years ago> Dien Yodha
monggo....
• Reply •
hebiGutz • 2 years ago
At last, a tutorial from the master himself...thank you Sir Wedha. Was able to create my firstWPAP....for my son.
49
• Reply •
Sharon Milne • 2 years agoMod > hebiGutz
Great work! I love the palette you've used :) 9
Mary Winkler • 9 months agoMod > hebiGutz
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• Reply •
Mary Winkler • 9 months agoMod > hebiGutz
Fantastic work. :) Your result will be featured in June's "Created by You" communityproject here on Tuts+!
• Reply •
Pratap Tripathy (INDIA) • 2 years ago> hebiGutz
son is looking so beautiful in artwork. i think he is more beautiful in real photo. i wantto see the original photo and want to meet personally.
• Reply •
doucheymcdoucherton • 2 years ago> Pratap Tripathy (INDIA)
wtf 17
• Reply •
Gunawan Syarifuddin • 2 years ago
Proud of you, Pak Wedha... This is my WPAP artwork, from INDONESIA
37
• Reply •
widi • 2 years ago
nyoba skema warna yg agak berbeda...
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• Reply •
Noor Intan Habibah • 2 years ago
Was amazed to you, sir Wedha ... This is my WPAP, from INDONESIA
33
• Reply •
Wedha Abdul Rasyid • 2 years ago> Noor Intan Habibah
Wow, keren nih. Thanks Noor.
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• Reply •
Michał • 2 years ago
thanks, Wedha! great tut :)
48
• Reply •
Hayden Nininger • 2 years ago> Michał
I love the texture you put in to this one. It really adds life to the whole feel of theillustration.
1
• Reply •
Laufy • 2 years ago> Michał
what beautiful choice of colour, thats absolutely brilliant. 1
• Reply •
Matisse • 2 years ago> Michał
This one is really awesome!
• Reply •
dheart • 2 years ago
my WPAP :D
29
• Reply •
Tomas • 2 years ago
I read only the step 1 2 and 3. And this is what i did using the method but not the exactlysame style, Autoretrat!
29
Dumas Mahar • 2 years ago
Its mine :) colorfull of indonesia ⧵m/
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• Reply •
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• Reply •
Yashir Ramadhan • 2 years ago
and,, this is my WPAP :)
22
• Reply •
Guest • 2 years ago
=)) sorry , low levels :)
20
• Reply •
Аня Ппва • 2 years ago
this is my work) from Russia
16
• Reply •
Tonie Agustusan • 2 years ago
A really great tutorial Pakde. Sorry I just found out about this... let the word vibrant morewith the rise of WPAP!. :)
14
Reinhart Rollando • 2 years ago
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• Reply •
Reinhart Rollando • 2 years ago
This is one of my WPAP artworks... From Indonesia. :)
14
• Reply •
Wayne Weixin • 2 years ago
My first Attempt, good tutorial, thx
12
• Reply •
Aris Taufik Firmansyah • 2 years ago> Wayne Weixin
I saw a curve on this wpap, wpap hasn't any curve... 1
• Reply •
JDean • 2 years ago
First try to WPAP from me :)
10
• Reply •
Ramz • 2 years ago
pak wedhaaa ai lop youuuuu. for all my friends who read this tutorial, you can find ouranother artworks (Indonesian WPAPers), just visit www.wpapcommunity.com (official site)and we wish you love to join with us to learn and share about WPAP herehttps://www.facebook.com/group... Cheers!
10
syahrir • 2 years ago
jenius,,
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• Reply •
jenius,,
9
• Reply •
Royyan Wijaya • 2 years ago
Great tutorial from pakde Wedha.
That's my WPAP and I'm from Indonesia.
9
• Reply •
Wedha Abdul Rasyid • 2 years ago
Thanks to all of You for the appreciations and special thanks for those who have tried thisWPAP technique. Good works of Yours ,I do really appreciate it.
9
• Reply •
chilikura • 2 years ago
my creation graphic of Milovan Mirosevic, the best player football in Chile
8
• Reply •
Ephyeah • 2 years ago
Here's my try.. RDJ http://ephyeahgraphics.tumblr....
8
Jay • 2 years ago
for a dear friend of mine...
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• Reply •
7
• Reply •
Rashaad Sallie • 2 years ago
My first attempt
7
• Reply •
Lucy green fish • 2 years ago
^_^ it was very entertaining
6
• Reply •
Oscar Duarte • 2 years ago
Wedha thank you very much for showing us this art form. I decided to do my own selfportrait. For me the hardest was finding the right color, because I wanted to contrast warmwith cold colors. Here is the result. Greetings.
Oscar Duarte.
5
Reply
Sandi Ex Kisworo Sandy • 2 years ago
Wedha's Pop Art Portrait... keren...
5
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• Reply • 5
• Reply •
Azwar Marzuki • a year ago
Ahok In WPAP
4
• Reply •
Amaan Rizvi • 2 years ago
Had made this 3 years ago. Never got the proper channel to showcase it. This looks like theright forum, though a little late.
4
• Reply •
Steven J • 2 years ago
Ahh nice this is more like it, I love this tutorial :D Defintetly different, and actually requires acreative look :P Reminds me of the good days of being in Fine Arts D: Light and Shade withColor/ No Black or white allowed :P
Love you Vec Tuts <3 4
• Reply •
Agnes Luvi • 2 years ago
I've never heard about this technique but i loved. It's very beautiful. Thanks for sharing it!!! 4
• Reply •
El Oni • 2 years ago
Thank you so much! This tutorial came in the right time, as it allowed me to use thistechnique to create an artistic present for my friend:)) ...I'm a detail freak so I couldn't helpmyself on the zoom;) - A very nice straight forward tutorial!
3
Yashir Ramadhan • 2 years ago
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• Reply •
Yashir Ramadhan • 2 years ago
cool... thanks for toturial sir wedha 3
• Reply •
Firman Novoselic • 2 years ago
+++ pertamax +++ 3
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