Vector Bird Nest

http://www.vectordiary.com
By: Afsal cmk

Creating a bird nest with eggs in Illustrator is a fun and easy project through this step-by-step
tutorial. You will also learn how to create complex gradients using the Gradient Mesh Tool. At
the end of this tutorial, you will gain insight on using the Mesh tool effectively, creating symbols
and adjusting colors as you please. Let’s get started.

Drawing the Bird

1. Create a new document in Illustrator. To do this, open Illustrator and open File > new. At
first, we need to set up the workspace. For this, place a reference image of a bird with eggs.
You can copy and paste the following image in your document. Another option is to drag it
to your document or go to the File menu and choose option Place.

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2. After placing the reference image, we need to lock it. Select this image and press CTR+2
or go to the Object menu and select Lock from the submenu. You can resize and position
this reference image before locking. To make further changes after the image has been
locked, you can unlock it by pressing Ctrl+Alt+2.

3. Start drawing with the pen tool. The next step is to draw using the Pen tool. From the
toolbox, select Pen tool or just press P to automatically use the tool. Using the pen tool,
draw the lines and fills. We are going to make lines on the Bird’s body without any strokes.

4. Continue drawing lines around the bird’s body as shown below.

5. When you have already filled the bird as shown in the above screenshot, you may find it
difficult to identify the boundary of the bird’s body. You can remedy this by temporarily
turning off the fill color from the toolbox. Later, you can change the color of this fill.

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6. Complete the fill. Now, finish filling the drawing as shown below. This time, fill the bird
with a grey color.

7. Draw the main tail of the bird. Next, we are going to create the main tail feathers of the bird.
In this step, we will create only the complete shape of the tail. Later, we can apply gradients
on it to define tail feathers.

8. Once we complete the fill, the image should look like the one below.

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9. Draw the beak of the bird using the Pen Tool. you can create a new shape for the beak. Fill
it with a similar color as shown below.

10. Start drawing the breast, crop and flank of the bird. Since we are unable to see the
reference image clearly to create or separate the wing from the breast of the bird, we need
to reduce the transparency of the fill we created for the bird’s body. To do this, open the
window menu and select the Transparency palette. Then select the shape to reduce its
transparency. In the transparency palette, enter the opacity value to around 60.

11. As you can see, it is now easier to create breast, crop, flank and the remaining parts of the
bird. You can lock this shape using Ctrl+2. Now, you can start drawing a new shape as
shown below.

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12. Finish drawing the shape as shown below.

Drawing the Nest

13. Now we are done with the very essential parts of the bird so we can start drawing the nest.
Using the pen tool, create a shape as shown below. Be sure to use a color similar to the one
used in the image below.

14. At this point, we are unable to see the sketch of the nest so it will be difficult to create a new
shape inside the shape using the Mesh tool. We need to reduce the shape’s transparency
as we did previously with the bird’s body to draw the breast part. See the image below.

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15. Now, we can see the sketch easily. Start drawing a shape as shown below, but it is not
essential to lock the base shape of the nest.

This is how the image should look like.

16. The next step is to draw the branches under the nest. Using the Pen tool, start drawing
the branch and continue as shown in the image below.

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17. Once the branch has been completed, we are going to reset the transparency of the outer
part of the nest which we reduced the transparency earlier. So, our image should look like
the following.

18. We can see that a small part of the nest is on the body of the bird. To remove this, select
that nest’s base shape and press Ctrl+[ until it goes behind all the layers, except for the
branch.

Modifying the Bird

19. Next, we are going to modify the bird's appearance. Change the colors of the bird as shown
below then select the Mesh tool from the tool box or simply press U. Select grey color and
click at the very end of the breast shape. See the right hand part of the image below.

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20. Next, using the Mesh tool, click at the very top of the breast shape. See first part of the
following image to get the correct idea. After that, select white color and, using the Mesh
tool, click in the middle of the shape as shown in the right hand part of the image.

21. Next, select a lighter grey color and then using mesh tool, click only once on the body of
the bird as shown below. Be sure to unlock this shape using Ctrl+Alt+2. Again, follow this
step for the head. Remember, the position where you click is very important so click only on
the specific location indicated by a red circle. Otherwise, you will get a different result.

22. Next, apply white color on the body as shown below. Select white color and apply it on the
body as shown in the first part of the image below. Next, select a dark brown color and
apply it at the bottom of the beak. See the image below.

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23. Using the Mesh tool, the dark brown color applied to the beak of the bird should appear
like the following.

Modifying the Nest

24. Now we are going to modify the nest. For this purpose, we are going to apply the same
technique we used on the bird. Using the eye dropper (I) tool, click on the nest shape to
select its color. From the color picker, choose a related dark color. Then using the mesh tool,
apply it on the shape of the nest as shown below.

25. Add some more mesh points and use lighter colors of brown. Use Direct selection tool to
select mesh points to adjust them. You can change colors after selecting mesh points.

26. Try to get a similar effect on the nest as shown below. This is achieved by using Direct
selection tool to select and move mesh points as well as change the colors of mesh points.

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27. Here’s the adjusted mesh below.

28. Now add some gradient effect to the inner shape of the nest. Use the mesh tool and
repeat the process used in the other part of the nest. First, select a lighter brown color and
apply it to the top, then choose a darker brown color and apply it to the bottom part as
shown in the image below.

29. Next, add a little grey color gradient effect to the bird’s main tail. We have finished most of
the image by now. It should look like this.

Creating the Background

30. Create the background. It is better to view our work against a background so we will create
one. In a blank space, use the Rectangle tool, create a new rectangle shape. Then fill it
with blue color. Select this shape and send it behind all the shape by pressing Ctrl+shft+[.

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31. Using Mesh tool, apply a lighter blue color to the top of the background.

32. Then using Direct selection tool, select all top points of the background shape and apply
the color we last used.

33. Next, select a dark brown color and, using the Mesh tool, apply it to the branch as shown
below.

34. Apply the same color at the end of the branch as well.

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Adding Details to the Nest
35. Now, we are going to modify the nest once again. For this purpose, we need to create a
new shape as shown below. You can use the Pen tool to draw this shape.

36. Use the Mesh tool to add some random gradient effect to it. Just click anywhere on the
shape to get a random gradient effect.

37. Once you are satisfied with the shape, add this to the symbol library. From the window
menu, select Symbols. Select your shape and drag and drop it to the symbols palette. You
can now start using this symbol from the symbols palette.

38. Now, place the newly created symbol all over the outer part of the nest. You can adjust this
shape’s transparency using the transparency palette. You can also adjust its size as
preferred.

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39. We also need some darker version of this symbol. To do this, go to Filter menu and
choose colors > Adjust colors. You can adjust the RGB values to get a darker shade.
Turn on the preview option to see it while adjusting color values.

40. Place some more shapes to fill the nest’s front view.

41. Even we are using symbols, we can create changes to it. Use the Mesh tool to add
gradient effects to random shapes as shown below.

42. Continue placing the symbols. Then we are going to add some extra lines on these symbols
to add a different look.

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43. You can change the color of the lines as shown below. You can also add this shape as a
symbol then repeat the same steps we did previously.

44. Place one more symbol of lines with a brighter color as shown below. This will help to
highlight some parts of the nest. Notice the effect of the lines with brighter colors in the
middle of the nest’s front.

45. Place the symbol of the newly created line at the top and bottom of the nest. This is clearly
shown in the following image.

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46. Next, copy one of the line symbols and paste it inside the nest. For this purpose, select the
shape and Alt+drag to copy. Then, press V to activate the move tool to rotate this symbol
and place it inside the nest as shown in the image below.

47. Repeat the process above then select the shape, right click and choose Transform >
Reflect. In the window, check vertical and turn on preview to see the result.

48. Next, copy the same and place as shown below. You can adjust its shape by resizing it from
the top down. You can also use the Direct selection tool to change the shape’s position.
However, keep it at a reasonable size to fit the nest. This step is illustrated in the upper
image below. Next, create a new shape using the pen tool, as shown in the lower image
below.

49. After creating the shape, make a copy and resize it. Then select both shapes and place
them a bit left as shown below. You can change the color to a lighter one.

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50. Copy that shape and place it as shown below.

51. Now, the entire image should look like this.

52. It’s time to work our way to the right side of the nest. As you can see, this part of the nest
is bare. To solve this, select some shapes as shown below and then copy and paste them on
the nest.

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53. Select the pasted shapes and Alt+drag to copy. Right-click and select Transform >
Reflect to rotate the shapes horizontally. Set properties for them as we did in the steps
above.

54. The same idea is enough to cover the remaining part of the nest. Select shapes as shown
below.

55. Copy, paste and rotate the shape using the reflect option.

56. You can copy some other shapes to cover the remaining front part of the nest.

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57. The nest is now almost complete.

58. Some more adjustments are required to complete the nest. Therefore, use the existing
shapes by copying and placing them over the uncovered parts of the nest.

59. Drag and place the first symbol we created and rotate and place it as shown below.

60. Perform the same technique we used to mirror any shape by using the reflect option. You
can do this after copying the shape or you can choose copy from the reflect menu.

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61. Don’t forget to add some dark and bright lines to the nest to get similar result as shown
below.

Drawing the Feathers

62. Next, we are going to draw the bird’s feathers. To do this, create a new shape as shown
below. Fill this shape with a grey color.

63. Place this shape somewhere in a blank space if necessary. Using the mesh tool, add white
gradient effect as shown below.

64. Add more white gradient effects to the feather. Now you can see a definite part with the
grey color. Using Direct Selection tool, select the mesh point and change its color to
white.

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65. The feather should now look like this.

66. Using Direct selection tool, you can adjust the gradient effect.

67. This is how it should look.

68. Next, you can add lighting effects to it as shown below.

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69. Create a new feather symbol. You can drag and drop this shape to the symbols palette as
shown below then, place this shape and set its opacity to 26. Now, you can drag and place
this symbol on the body of the bird anytime.

70. Place the symbol as shown below.

71. You can also adjust its transparency as illustrated below.

72. Adjust some symbols to make them small and different from the other symbols.

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73. Continue placing the symbols. See the following image.

74. Place a new feather symbol as shown below. The image on the left shows the wing with
feathers. To achieve the look, place feather symbols, and resize them.

75. Using the Selection tool (v), adjust its size and position of a feather as shown below.

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76. Zoom into your document to see the edge of this feather symbol. Select the top points and
apply color that is similar to the color of the body. Use the Eyedropper Tool to do this.

77. Copy the feather and continue placing as shown below.

78. Continue placing long feathers.

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79. Use Ctrl+[ to send any of shapes backward and use Ctrl+] to bring any of the shapes
forward. Try to make something similar to the following.

80. The bird’s body is now complete. All that’s left is the bird’s eye. See the following image.

Creating the Bird’s Eye

81. Now, we are going to create the eye of the bird. Start by drawing a circle and fill it with
white color.

82. Add a lighter grey gradient effect to the bottom right of the circle.

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83. Create a smaller circle, place it inside the larger circle and then fill it with blue color.

84. Using the mesh tool, add some dark blue gradient effect to the bottom right part while
keeping the top a lighter shade.

85. Now, select both circle shapes and resize them. After that, place it on the head of the bird
as shown below to create the eye.

Adding Leaves
86. The next step is to create the leaves. Using the pen tool, create a new shape and fill it with
green color.

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87. Create another shape like the one shown below.

88. Now select these two shapes and then go to window > Pathfinder. Click Divide and
then click Expand. Using the direct selection tool, select the outside part and delete it
by pressing the Delete key.

89. Select the right side part of the leaf and using Direct selection tool, change its color to
dark green. See below.

90. Using the Eyedropper Tool, click on the left side of the leaf to select its color. Take the
mesh tool from the tools and apply the previously selected green color on the left side of
the leaf as shown in the image below.

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91. Create a new shape as shown below. Fill it with yellow color.

92. Copy this shape and place it a bit above the original shape. Then select both shapes and go
to Pathfinder palette. Apply Divide then click Expand.

93. Apply a little green gradient effect on the shape as shown below.

94. Adjust the shape and reduce its transparency.

95. Copy and place this shape and then resize it for a perfect fit.

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96. Apply some more bright green gradient effect on the leaf’s left side part.

97. Next, select all the shapes related to the leaf then press Ctrl+G to group them together.

98. Drag and drop the leaf to the symbols palette to use it any time.

99. Start placing the leaf symbol as shown below.

100. Continue placing the leaves to look like this.

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101. You can also group some leaves to place them quickly around the branch. Use Ctl+[ and
Ctrl+] to bring any shapes backward and forward while arranging the leaves.

102. Continue placing the leaves.

103. Next, create some boxes filled with white color and place them above all these shapes to
hide unwanted parts.

104. Now, the image looks like this.

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Drawing Branches
105. Using the pen tool, draw some branches as shown below.

106. Continue drawing with the pen tool.

107. Continue creating shapes as shown in the following images.

108. Next, go to Filter > Color > Adjust colors. Use the values shown below.

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109. Add some color-adjusted leaves below. Do this process to create a shadow effect. Add
some dark gradient effect to the branches as well.

110. Add a little brown gradient effect on the branch.

Enhancing the Bird’s Tail

111. Now, we are going to adjust the gradient effect on the main tail of the bird. Using the
mesh tool, you can add more gradient effects.

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112. Use the Direct selection tool to make adjustments to these effects.

113. After that, add a lighter grey gradient effect on the head also.

Creating the Clouds

Next, we are going to draw clouds. Select the Ellipse tool from the tool panel. Draw some
shapes as shown below then select all the shapes and go to window > pathfinder. Click
on Add to shape area icon. See second part of below image.

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114. Now, using the mesh tool, add some lighter blue gradient effects on the clouds.

115. Copy the cloud and add it as a symbol, as deemed essential. Place clouds by copying and
pasting from the symbols palette. You can resize and adjust transparency, to make these
clouds different from one another.

116. Once the clouds are completed and placed, the image should look like this.

Creating the Eggs

117. Now, we are going to create the eggs in the nest. Using the Ellipse tool, draw an oblong
shape as shown below.

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118. Add a lighter grey gradient effect on it.

119. Add another lighter grey gradient to the left side of the egg this time. Be sure to click far
from the edge, otherwise, the egg will appear flat.

120. Place this egg in the nest. You can add this shape to the symbol palette.

121. After placing the egg in the nest, the image may appear like the one below. To avoid this,
use the pen tool, create a new shape and fill it a dark brown color.

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122. Place the image as shown below to correct the nest.

123. Next, add some lighter grey effect on the bottom to create a shadow.

124. Copy the egg or get it from the symbols palette. Place the egg in the nest.

125. As you can see, the same problem occurred in placing the second egg. Repeat the steps
above and create shapes to hide bottom part of the egg.

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126. Add more shapes to thoroughly cover the bottom part of the egg.

Creating Lighting Rays

127. This time, we are going to create stunning lighting rays for a more fun effect. Using the
Ellipse tool, create a shape as shown below. Go to Effect > Gaussian Blur and set its
radius.

128. From the transparency palette, set its blend mode overlay.

129. Adjust the transparency and place the ray of light as shown below.

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130. Copy and place some more lighting rays.

Drawing the Legs

131. Create a new shape and add some gradients as shown below.

132. After adding gradient effect on it, create a new layer as shown below in the right image.

133. Fill the shape with a dark brown color and set its Transparency as shown below. Send it
beyond behind the legs to serve as the bird’s shadow.

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Final Image
134. This is now the final image of the ‘Bird with Eggs’. I hope this tutorial has helped you
learn the workflow and techniques used to work faster in creating such a beautiful image.
Have a nice day!

If this tutorial has helped you, a comment on this tutorial would be highly appreciated.
Thanks for your support!

Visit www.vectordiary.com for more illustrator premium tutorials!

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