SpoonGraphics

Beginner Illustrator Tutorial: Cartoon Style Space Scene

In today’s Adobe Illustrator tutorial we’re going to create a cute cartoon style space scene illustration using simplified vector shapes and solid bold colours. We’ll be using a variety of tools and techniques which makes this a great tutorial for Illustrator newcomers. See how complete illustrations are built by combining lots of individually drawn elements.

Vector space scene

The illustration we’ll be creating features a flat cartoon like style with all the planets and moons being decorated with bold patterns. The process for creating this illustration involves lots of different processes to design each pattern and trim the various shapes to size, which are all crucial techniques needed to master Adobe Illustrator.

Vector space scene

Create a new document at any dimensions and go to View > Hide Artboards. Vector artwork can be scaled to any size, so unlike Photoshop the initial document size doesn’t matter too much. Select the Rectangle tool from the toolbar and drag out a shape onto the artboard. Hold Shift to constrain the dimensions into a perfect square. Add a deep blue as a fill colour by selecting a swatch, eyedropping a colour or adjusting the CMYK sliders.

Vector space scene

Become a member to unlock this tutorial
(And gain access to 100s of premium design resources!)

Regular Updates

Regular Updates

New content is continuously added every month, so keep an eye on your inbox for updates!

Unlimited Access

Unlimited Access

Download as many items as you want for the duration of your membership, with no restrictions.

Cancel Anytime

Cancel Anytime

There's no small print! You can cancel your payment subscription anytime you want.

Find out more about Access All Areas Membership

Example Access All Areas products

19 Comments

  3. Good tutorial, thanks for sharing. You used a couple commands that I wasn’t aware of, like CMD+D to Transform Again. Also the vector texture is a good resource. Thumbs up :)

  4. Dear Chris,

    May I have your permission to use the completed vector space illustration for a public poster?

    Hope to hear from you.

    Thanks!

  6. Chris,

    I haven’t tried this one yet, but my wife has been itching to learn Illustrator. So, this should be a good introduction for her.

  7. Thank you so much Chris! I’m starting this tutorial right now. Let’s see how I tread through Ai waters! Thanks again! It looks super fun! :)

  15. Another great tutorial. However, can you tell me how you export your images from illustrator to look so crisp and smooth? When I use the save for web option text in particularly looks jagged even though I am using type optimised. Do you have a particular method you use when exporting for the web?

  16. This was excellent. Easy to follow… touched upon just the right amount of illustrator skills without being overwhelming or too easy.

Comments are now closed

How To Create 80s Style Retro Futuristic Neon Artwork
Next in Tutorials: How To Create 80s Style Retro Futuristic Neon Artwork Close