Contents
Here’s a quick and easy guide on how to draw a book on Illustrator. This guide will show you how to use the basic shapes tool to create a book cover.
Checkout this video:
Introduction
In this lesson, we’ll show you how to draw a book using Adobe Illustrator CC. You’ll learn how to use the Rectangle Tool, Pencil Tool, and Brush Tool to create your own vector book illustration. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to draw a book that looks something like this:
First, open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document. Then, use the Rectangle Tool (M) to draw a rectangle that will serve as the cover of your book. Make sure that the rectangle is big enough to fit all of your text and illustrations.
Next, use the Pencil Tool (P) to draw some lines on the cover of your book. These lines will be used to add interest and depth to your illustration.
Now, use the Brush Tool (B) to add some color to your book cover. You can use any color you like, but we recommend choosing a light color so that it’s easy to read your text.
Once you’re happy with your book cover, it’s time to add some text! Use the Type Tool (T) to add a title and author name to your book. You can also add a brief description of your book using the Type Tool.
Now that you know how to draw a book in Adobe Illustrator CC, try experimenting with different colors and designs until you create an illustration that you’re happy with!
The Basic Shape
Start by drawing a rectangle. This will be the cover of your book. Use the Rectangle Tool (M) to draw a 10 x 8 in rectangle. Center this rectangle on your artboard using the Align Tools. Your book cover should now look like this:
To give your book some depth, we are going to add a slight shadow to one side of the cover using the Offset Path Tool. With your book selected, go to Object > Path > Offset Path. In the Offset Path dialog box, enter 0.25 in for the Offset and click OK.
Adding Details
Now that you have the basic shape of your book, it’s time to add some details. Start by drawing a line across the center of the book to denote the spine. Then, add some lines to indicate the pages. Make sure to leave a bit of space between each page so that it looks like they’re turning.
To make your book look more realistic, add some shading. Use a light grey pencil to draw shadow lines along the edge of each page and the spine. You can also add a few darker shadows here and there to give your book some depth.
Erase any remaining pencil lines and you’re done!
Refining the Details
When you’re happy with your basic sketch, it’s time to begin refining the details. First, use the pen tool to draw a more accurate outline of the book. As you draw the outline, think about which parts of the book will be visible from different angles — for example, the spine is usually only visible from the side.
Once you’ve drawn the outline, use the pen tool to add details like the pages and cover. To add dimension to your illustrations, try using different shades of color for different parts of the book. For example, you could make the cover a different color than the pages.
Finally, use the eraser tool to clean up any unwanted lines or pencil marks. When you’re finished, your illustration should be clean and polished.
Adding Text
Adding text is one of the most important steps in creating your book cover illustration. In addition to the title and author name, you may also want to add a slogan or tagline, and possibly some additional text on the front or back cover. Here are some tips on how to add text to your book cover illustration in Adobe Illustrator.
1. Start by creating a text box using the Type tool (T). Click and drag to create a rectangular text box, then type your desired text.
2. To change the font, size, color, or other attributes of the text, select it with the Type tool (T) and use the options in the Character panel (Window > Type > Character).
3. To move the text box, select it with the Selection tool (V) and drag it to the desired location.
4. To rotate or resize the text box, select it with the Selection tool (V) and use the options in the Control panel (Window > Transform). Alternatively, you can select an individual corner of the text box and drag it to rotate or resize.
5. To align multiple text boxes, select them with the Selection tool (V), then click on one of the alignment buttons in the Control panel (Window > Align).
Finalizing the Design
Now that the basic design is complete, it’s time to finalize the book in Illustrator. This includes adding the title, author, and other text elements. It also involves finalizing the cover design and creating any internal illustrations that may be needed.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks on how to draw a book in Illustrator.
First, create a new layer for the book. Next, use the pen tool to draw the outline of the book. Make sure to use a light color so you can see what you’re doing.
Once you have the outline of the book, start filling in the details. Use different colors for different parts of the book, such as the cover, spine, and pages. To add texture, you can use the brush tool or add gradient effects.
Finally, add shadows and highlights to give the book some depth. You can do this by creating new layers and using a darker or lighter color than the one you used for the book itself. Experiment until you get the look you want!
Alternative Methods
If you’re looking for an alternative method to drawing a book on Illustrator, there are a few things you can try. One is to use the pen tool to draw your book shape out first, and then use the direct selection tool to adjust the anchor points until you have the desired look. Another method is to use the rectangle tool to draw a rectangle that will be the cover of your book, and then use the direct selection tool to adjust the corner points until they’re rounded.
Conclusion
To conclude, there are several ways to approach drawing a book on Illustrator. You can use the pen tool to draw the outline of the book, or you can use the rectangle tool to draw the basic shape. Once you have the basic shape, you can add details such as the spine, cover illustrations, and text. With a little practice, you’ll be able to create a realistic looking book that can be used for any number of purposes.
Further Resources
If you want to explore more of what you can do with books in Illustrator, here are some further resources:
-The Ultimate Guide to Drawing Books in Adobe Illustrator by Vectortuts+
-35 Exceptional Photoshop & Illustrator Tutorials & Techniques for Drawing Books by Spoon Graphics
-How to Create a Realistic Hardcover Book Mockup in Photoshop by Design Shack