{"id":2736,"date":"2020-04-06T19:42:54","date_gmt":"2020-04-06T17:42:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/barbaramarini.com\/creating-custom-vector-textures-from-pencil-on-paper-drawings\/"},"modified":"2025-12-12T12:44:36","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T11:44:36","slug":"creating-custom-vector-textures-from-pencil-on-paper-drawings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbaramarini.com\/en\/creating-custom-vector-textures-from-pencil-on-paper-drawings\/","title":{"rendered":"Creating Custom Vector Textures from Pencil-on-Paper Drawings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vector textures allow you to add custom shadows or fills to your illustrations.<\/p>\n

Custom shadows and fills using vector textures<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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In this article, I\u2019ll explain how I created the shading in the illustration you see below, starting from pencil gradients drawn on paper using pencils of different hardness (from 4H to 6B) and varying pressure levels.<\/p>\n

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If you want to see how I created this illustration using the Shape Builder<\/em> and Live Paint Bucket<\/em> tools, check out the previous article: From Sketch to Final Vector Illustration with Adobe Illustrator Tools.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Dallo<\/p>\n

Create the different pencil shading on paper<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Using pencils of varying hardness and adjusting the pressure gradually, create several gradients with different intensities, as shown in the image below.<\/p>\n

\"Da<\/p>\n

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I used a rough, heavy-grain paper to achieve a more irregular and contrasted texture.<\/p>\n

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I tried to keep the outer areas of each shading lighter and softer: this way, I\u2019ll later be able to duplicate the texture and place the copies close to each other, slightly overlapping them while maintaining a uniform color intensity.<\/p>\n

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At this point, you can digitize the sheet and open the scan in Photoshop. Use the Levels<\/strong> adjustment to lighten the white of the paper and bring out the pencil shading. If you want to see how to do this, check out this article.<\/p>\n

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Place the digitized image into Illustrator<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Now you can import each scanned texture into a new Adobe Illustrator document.<\/p>\n

\"Digitalizzazione<\/p>\n

You can crop the individual textures in Adobe Photoshop, saving each as a separate image file. Alternatively, you can import the entire digitized image into Illustrator and crop it later using the \u201cCrop Image\u201d<\/strong> tool after duplicating it.<\/p>\n

Convert the images into vector textures<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Use the Image Trace<\/strong> command to convert the pencil strokes of your shading into vector paths. In this case, I used the \u201cSketch\u201d<\/strong> preset, which converts everything to a single color and removes the white background. You can experiment with other presets and further customize the conversion using the \u201cThreshold\u201d<\/strong> and \u201cPaths\u201d<\/strong> sliders. For more details, check out my tutorial on how to create vector shapes from watercolor drawings.<\/p>\n

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After using Image Trace<\/strong>, remember to click the Expand<\/strong> button to obtain editable paths so that you can color them individually with your desired colors.<\/p>\n

\"Texture<\/p>\n

Add vector textures to your illustrations<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Now, to apply the textures you\u2019ve created to the different shapes in your vector illustration, whether as shadows or fills, you\u2019ll need to create a clipping mask<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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In my experience, the fastest way is to copy<\/strong> (CTRL + C) the texture you want, select the shape<\/strong> where you want to place it, and then use the \u201cDraw Inside\u201d<\/strong> mode to paste<\/strong> (CTRL + V) the texture directly inside the selected shape.<\/p>\n

\"Texture<\/p>\n

Illustrator automatically creates a clipping mask based on the selected shape; the mask hides the parts of the texture that extend beyond the shape\u2019s edges. Finally, select \u201cDraw Normal\u201d again to return to the standard drawing mode.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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If you want to download for free the textures<\/strong> I created for this illustration, you can find them here<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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If you have any questions, leave me a comment<\/strong>. See you soon!<\/p>\n

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<\/i> Free download my vector texture<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/i>If you want to see them in action, watch the video tutorial below.<\/p>\n

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