Learn how to create a beautiful and unique diamond flower design using Adobe Illustrator. Step-by-step tutorial on using tools such as the Pen tool, Shape Builder tool, and Gradient Mesh to create a stunning vector illustration.
STEP1
DRAWING A CIRCLE
Get started by drawing a circle. Choose the Ellipse Tool (L). Hold the Shift key while drawing the circle to get the perfect shape.
Choose a colour you like and fill the circle. I suggest you use a dark colour. You can tone it back by adjusting the transparency. Or else you can go for a light colour. Change the Transparency mode to Colour Burn in the transparency palette (Window > Transparency). Make sure that the rulers are visible. If they are not then hit cmd/Ctrl + R. As shown in the image below, draw a horizontal and vertical guide. Snap to Point: View > Snap to Point to make the guide to snap the points of the circles. Always make sure that you have turned on the Smart Guides. To turn it ‘on’ or ‘off’ go to Smart Guides: View > Smart Guides and use cmd/Ctrl + U.
Using the Selection tool (V), select the in the middle of the bottom right path. Drag the circle to circle 45° downwards. You have to drag rag until the circle reaches the intersection point of the guides as shown in the image above. While dragging the circle using the Shift key.
STEP2
ROTATING AND DUPLICATING THE CIRCLE
Click on the Rotate tool (R). Holding down the Option/Alt Key, click on the exact intersection point of the guides. Enter a relevant value (90) in degrees and hit the Copy button.
Select the 2nd circle and click cmd /ctrl + D twice to get the exact transformation. You will get 4 circular shapes as shown in the image below.
Now, navigate to the Layer Palette. Select the layer having the circles. Drag the layer to the Create New Layer icon. This way you can duplicate this layer.
STEP3
DUPLICATING AND ROTATING THE CIRCLES
To lock the original layer, click the empty square near the eye icon in the layer palette (view the image below). Choose all the circles in the duplicated layer and click on Rotate Tool (R). By holding the Option/Alt key click on the exact interception points on the guides again. Now, enter 45 degrees as the value and hit the OK button.
STEP4
HOW TO ADJUST COLOURS AND TRANSPARENCY MODE
Without leaving the selection of circles, select another colour fill for the circles. Then select Overlay as Transparency mode.
STEP5
DUPLICATE THE LAYERS
Release the original layer from the lock. Now choose both the layers and drag them to the Create New Layer icon to duplicate the image. Lock the two original layers.
STEP6
ROTATING THE DUPLICATED LAYERS
Make sure that you have selected all the circles in both the newly created layers. Choose the Rotate tool (R) and hold Option/Alt key. Now click on the guides’ intersection point again. Enter the value 22.5 as degrees and hit the OK button.
Don’t forget to look at the Preview to see the result upfront.
FINAL RESULLT
The end result will look similar to the image on the left. It all depends on your choice of colours, transparency modes and transparency values. If you are not satisfied with the colour then you can adjust it.
Wherever needed, you can do adjustment to the colour, transparency, and mode circle by circle. On the right-hand side you can see the image obtained by me after making a few variations.
