Adobe Illustrator can be a little tricky to get your hands around, particularly after getting used to the workflow of applications like Photoshop. The differences between layer use and the creation of objects and shapes can be really strange at first hand.

Today we’ll be learning how to create a Cool Shoe in Adobe Illustrator. In this tutorial, we’ll use a lot of Pen Tool to create simple shapes and then fill them with gradients. Besides we also apply gradient for stroke and add some patterns from the swatches libraries for shapes. So, let’s get started.

Final Result

Let’s see what you will be creating in this tutorial.

Create a Cool Shoe in Illustrator

Step 1

Pick the Pen tool (P) and use this tool to create an object as shown below.

Fill the newly created object with a dark color.

Duplicate (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+F) the dark object once time. Adjust the shape of the copy as shown below and then fill it with the linear gradient. Duplicate (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) the newly created shape once time and then hide the result (press Ctrl +3).

Create a curve. Next open the stroke panel (Window/ Stroke) and then set the values like you see in the image.

While the result selected, go to the Effect menu/ Stylize/ Drop Shadow. Enter the data as shown in the image below and then click OK.

Duplicate the newly created curve once time. Next open the stroke panel (Window | Stroke) and then set the values like you see in the image. Finally remove the Drop Shadow effect of this curve.

Create an object and then fill it with the linear gradient as shown below.

Select two object as shown below and go to the Object menu/ Blend/ Blend Option. In the Spacing section, select the Specified Steps and enter 30 in the Spacing box and then click OK.

Pick the Pen tool (P) and create red curves as shown below.

Apply gradient within stroke for curves.

Continue with the Pen tool (P). Use this tool to create curves as shown below. Select red curves and go to the Object menu/ Expand. Next a dialog box appears, click OK. When the results selected, go to the Object menu/ Ungroup. Next fill results as shown below.

Press (Ctrl + Alt +3) to show the shape hidden in the previous step. Next bring this shape to front (press Ctrl +Shift + Right Square Bracket). Finally fill the shape with R=176, G=136, B=116 and lowered its Opacity to 50%.

Step 2

Pick the Pen tool (P). Use this tool to created a red object as shown below. Next fill it with a radial gradient. Finally send it to back (press Ctrl +Shift +Left Square Bracket).

Pick the Star tool and then click on the anywhere in the document. Enter the data as shown below and then click OK. Next fill the result with R=240, G=208, B=180. Finally place the result to the correct position as shown below. Remove the anchor point highlighted with red to get the result as shown in the second image.

Reselect the newly created shape and go to the Object menu/ Path/ Offset Path… Enter the data as shown below and then click OK. Next fill the result with R=114, G=89, B=75. Select two both newly created shapes and go to the Object menu/ Blend/ Blend Option. Enter the data as shown below and then click OK. Next go to the Object menu/ Blend/ Make (Ctrl +Alt +B). While the result selected, go to the Effect menu/ Stylize/ Drop Shadow. Enter the data as shown below and then click OK.

Pick the Ellipes tool (L) and then use this tool to create a 7px by 7px object. Next fill the result with R=167, G=169, B=172 (Stroke=None). Finally place it to the correct position as shown below. Keep working with the Ellipes tool (L). Use this tool to create a 6px by 6px object. Next fill the result with R=35, G=31, B=32 (Stroke=None). Finally place it to the correct position as shown below.

Now pick the Pen tool (P) and use it to create objects and then fill them as shown below. Select two both newly created shapes and go to the Object menu/ Blend/ Blend Option. Enter the data as shown below and then click OK. Next go to the Object menu/ Blend/ Make (Ctrl +Alt +B). While the result selected, go to the Effect menu/ Stylize/ Drop Shadow. Enter the data as shown below and then click OK.

Now select the dark object and add four anchor points in the positions highlighted with red arrow. Next move two anchor points in the middle a bit to the left to get the result as shown in the second image.

Do the same as the previous steps to get the results as shown below.

Select the dark shape and duplicate (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) it once time. Fill the copy with None and add a 3px Stroke (apply gradient cross stroke).

Select two anchor points highlighted with red and then click on the "Cut path selected anchor points" button from the Properties bar. Next remove the selected part as shown in the second image.

Reselect the dark shape and duplicate it once time. While the copy selected, go to the Effect menu/ Texture/ Craquelure…Enter the data as shown below and then click OK. Next lowered Opacity of the result to 15%.

Now create a curve and then apply gradient cross stroke for it. Next open the stroke panel (Window/ Stroke) and then set the values like you see in the image.

While the result selected, go to the Effect menu/ Stylize/ Drop Shadow. Enter the data as shown below and then click OK.

Now create an object and then fill it with the radial gradient as shown below.

Duplicate the newly created shape once time. While the copy selected, go to the Effect menu/ Texture/ Craquelure…Enter the data as shown below and then click OK. Next lowered Opacity of the result to 15%. Finally send it to back (press Ctrl + Shift + Left Square Bracket).

Now create a curve as shown below. Keep the curve selected, pick the Eyedropper (I) and click on the position highlighted with the red arrow. Send the result to back (press Ctrl +Shift +Left Square Bracket) and then press Ctrl + Right Square Bracket to bring it forward.

Step 3

Create an object and then fill it with the radial gradient as shown below.

Continue create other object and then fill it with R=146, G=109, B=90. Now select two newly created shapes and go to the Object menu/ Blend/ Blend Option. Enter the data as shown below and then click OK. While the result selected, go to the Effect menu/ Stylize/ Drop Shadow. Enter the data as shown below and then click OK.

Continue create an object as shown below and then fill it with R=240, G=208, B=180. Next add the shadow for it.

Create an object as shown below and then fill it with R=207, G=158, B=118.

While the result selected, go to the Object menu/ Path/ Offset Path. Enter a -5px Offset and then click OK. Next fill the result with R=84, G=62, B=54. Reselect two both newly created shapes and go to the Object menu/ Blend/ Blend Option. Enter the data as shown below and then click OK. Next go to the Object menu/ Blend/ Make (Ctrl +Alt +B).

Pick the Pen tool (P) and use this tool to create two objects as shown below. Next fill them with the linear gradient.

Continue create two objects as shown below. Next fill them with the linear gradient.

Step 4

Pick the Pen tool (P). Use this tool to create a green object and then fill the result with the linear gradient as shown below.

Continue with the Pen Tool (P). Use this tool to create a red curve and two yellow curves. Select the red curve and add a 2px Stroke (R=35, G=31, B=32). Next select two yellow curves and add a 5px Stroke (apply gradient cross stroke). Select three newly created curves and press (Ctrl +Left Square Bracket) three times to put these curves behind the shape created in the beginning of the step 4.

Select the shape created in the beginning step ? and duplicate it once time. While the copy selected, open the Swatches panel and click on the Swatches Libraries menu icon ( at the bottom of the Swatches panel ). Next select the Patterns present in this menu. Now we’ll choose "USGS 19 Land Inundation" follow this path ( Patterns/Basic Graphics/ Basic Graphics_Textures/ USGS 19 Land Inundation).

Continue create objects as shown below. Adjust two selected shapes to get the result as shown in the second image.

Repeat the same techniques as the previous steps for newly created objects. In the end it should look like the third image shown.

Create an object and then fill it with the linear gradient as shown below. While the result selected, go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. Enter a 15px Radius and then click OK. Next lowered its Opacity to 90%. Finally send it to back (press Ctrl +Shift+ Left Square Bracket).

Step 5

Pick the Pen tool (P). Use this tool to create an object and then fill it with the radial gradient as shown below.

Reselect the newly created shape and duplicate it once time. While the copy selected, open the Swatches panel and click on the Swatches Libraries menu icon ( at the bottom of the Swatches panel ). Next select the Patterns present in this menu. Now we’ll choose "USGS 19 Land Inundation" follow this path ( Patterns/Basic Graphics/ Basic Graphics_Textures/ USGS 19 Land Inundation).

Now create a curve and then apply gradient cross stroke for it. Next open the stroke panel (Window/ Stroke) and then set the values like you see in the image.

Duplicate the newly created object once time. While the copy selected, go to the Object menu/ Expand. Next go to the Object menu/ Ungroup. Keep the result selected, go to the Object menu again/ Path/ Offset Path. Enter a -4px Offset and then click OK. Next select and remove the original object. Reselect the newly created object and fill it with the linear gradient.

Reselect the newly created shape and go to the Object menu/ Path/ Offset Path. Enter a 1px Offset and then click OK. Next open the stroke panel (Window/ Stroke) and then set the values like you see in the image.

Keep the newly created object selected and go to the Object menu/ Path/ Offset Path. Enter a -4px Offset and then click OK. Next fill the result with R=245, G=224, B=205 (Stroke=None).

Step 6

Pick the Pen tool (P). Use this tool to create an object and then fill it with R= 84, G=62, B=54. Next duplicate the result once time and then hide the copy (press Ctrl +3).

Reselect the newly created shape, go to the Object menu/ Path/ Offset Path. Enter a -20px Offset and then click OK. Next fill the result with R=146, G=109, B=90. Finally move it 8px down and then 3px to the right.

Select two both newly created shapes and go to the Object menu/ Blend/ Blend Option. Enter the data as shown below and then click OK. Next go to the Object menu/ Blend/ Make (Ctrl +Alt +B).

Show the shape hidden in the previous step (press Ctrl +Shift +3). Next bring this shape forward (press Ctrl +Right Square Bracket). Next open the Swatches panel and click on the Swatches Libraries menu icon ( at the bottom of the Swatches panel ). Next select the Patterns present in this menu. Now we’ll choose "USGS 19 Land Inundation" swatch follow this path ( Patterns/Basic Graphics/ Basic Graphics_Dots/ 10 dpi 50%).

Duplicate the newly created shape once time. Next we’ll choose "10 dpi 30%" swatch follow this path ( Patterns/Basic Graphics/ Basic Graphics_Dots/ 10 dpi 30%).

Now pick the Pen tool (P) and use this tool to create a curve as shown below. While the curve selected, open the stroke panel (Window/ Stroke) and then set the values like you see in the image. Next go to the Effect menu/ Stylize/ Drop Shadow. Enter the data as shown below and then click OK.

Step 7

Create an object as shown below and then fill it with R=245, G=224, B=205. Next lowered its Opacity to 30%.

Continue create objects as shown below and then fill them with R=245, G=224, B=205. Next lowered their Opacity to 30%.

Pick the Pen tool (P) and use this tool to create lines as shown below. Select all newly created lines. Next open the Stroke panel (Window/ Stroke) and then set the values like you see in the image. Finally lowered their Opacity to 70%.

Step 8

Create an object and then fill it with the radial gradient as shown below.

Create a curve as shown below. Next open the Stroke panel (Window/ Stroke) and then set the values like you see in the second image. Duplicate (Ctrl +C, Ctrl+F) the newly created curve once time. While the copy selected, open the stroke panel (Window | Stroke) and then set the values like you see in the image

Continue create an object as shown below and then fill it with R= 177, G=145, B=119. While the result selected, go to the Effect menu/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur. Enter a 41px Radius and then click OK. Next lowered Opacity of the result to 30%.

Step 9

Pick the Ellipse tool (L) and then create a 40px by 40px object. Next fill the object with R=74, G=50, B=34 and add a 1px Stroke (apply gradient within stroke).

Continue with the Ellipse tool (L). Use this tool to create a 50px by 50px object. Next fill the object with None and add a 6px Stroke (apply gradient along stroke). While the result selected, go to the Effect menu/ Stylize/ Drop Shadow. Enter the data as shown in the second image and then click OK.

Pick the Pen tool (P). Use this tool to create an object and then fill it with the linear gradient. While the result selected, go to the Effect menu/ Stylize/ Drop Shadow. Enter the data as shown in the second image and then click OK. Next lowered the Opacity of the result to 90%.

Create a green object as shown below. Next open the stroke panel (Window/ Stroke) and then set the values like you see in the second image. Finally lowered the Opacity of the result to 90%.

Continue create objects and then fill them as shown below.

Pick the Ellipse tool (L) and use this tool to create a 35px by 35px object. Place the result to the correct position as shown below. Keep the newly created object selected, go to the Object menu/ Path/ Offset Path. Enter a -6px Offset and then click OK. While the result selected, move it 2px down and then 3px to the left. Now reselect two both newly created objects and then click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder palette.

Fill the newly created object with the linear gradient and add a 1px stroke (R=74, G=50, B=34).

Reselect the newly created object and duplicate it once time. Next fill the copy with R=84, G=62, B=54. Finally lowered its Opacity to 20%.

Continue with the Ellipse tool (L). Use this tool to create a 32px by 32px object. Next place the result to the correct position as shown below. Keep the newly created object selected, go to the Object menu/ Path/ Offset Path. Enter a -2px Offset and then click OK. While the result selected, move it 3px down and then 2px to the left. Now reselect two both newly created objects and then click on the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder palette.

Fill the newly created object with the linear gradient.

Continue use the Ellipse tool (L) to create a 21px by 21px object and then place it to the correct position as shown below. Now fill the newly created object with the radial gradient and add a 2px Stroke (R=207, G=158, B=118) (Variable Width Profile:Width Profile 1). Finally lowered its Opacity to 80%.

Step 10

Pick the Pen tool (P) and use this tool to created a curve as shown below. Next add a 4px Stroke ( Apply gradient across stroke) for this curve.

Next create objects and then fill them as shown below. Finally send newly created shapes to back (press Ctrl +Shift +Left Square Bracket).

Final Result

Here’s the final result. Hope you enjoy this tutorial.

Conclusion

As difficult as it looks I’m very sure if you follow my tutorial you will find a lot of help using your skills and images to produce your own creation! Ones again Thank you for using our tutorial, we will be very happy to answer any questions that you may have, You can simply leave a feedback and or a comment bellow.