Create A Cute Vector Octopus in Illustrator with Simple Shapes

Author: Jan Cavan, Category: Illustrator, Tutorials

In this Illustrator tutorial, we will learn how to Create A Cute Vector Octopus in Illustrator with Simple Shapes. This is a pretty simple illustration of an octopus using basic Illustrator tools and shapes.

Final Product:

1. Create a new layer in Illustrator (CTRL/CMD + N) with dimensions 3 inches x 3 inches. Actually, the dimensions don’t really matter as much this time since we are creating our design in vector format, thus, we will be able to scale it any size we want.

2. Using the Rounded Rectangle Tool, create a rounded rectangle.

3. Using the Ellipse Tool (L), draw a circle above the rounded rectangle. Make sure their sides are aligned.

4. Let us now draw the tentacles of this octopus. Using the Pen Tool (P), draw a short, curved line as shown on the picture. Make sure that on the Stroke Panel, the Round Cap option is being selected to make the tips of the tentacles rounded. Also, on the Tools Panel, make sure only Stroke is selected and not Fill.

5. Let us convert our line to a shape by hitting on Object > Expand > OK. Make sure our line is being selected when this is done. The reason why we are doing this is because we will need the lines converted to shapes when we use the Pathfinder Tool later on.

6. Copy and paste the tentacle we just created and place arrange it as shown. Make the third tentacle appear smaller than the other two.

7. Select the three tentacles we just created, copy (CTRL/CMD + C) and paste (CTRL/CMD + V) it onto the canvas. For this second group of tentacles, flip them by right clicking on them by hitting on Transform > Reflect > Vertical > OK.

8. Select the entire octopus, right click and Group it. Copy (CTRL/CMD + C) and paste (CTRL/CMD + V) it on the canvas. Place the second octopus exactly on top of the first by hitting on Edit > Paste in Front (CTRL/CMD + F)

9. Using the Ellipse Tool (U), draw some circles on top of our octopus. Change the Opacity of the circles to around 52%. The Opacity settings can be changed by opening the Window > Opacity panel. Select all circles and Group them.

10. Select the group of circles and our topmost octopus. Open the Pathfinder panel by going to Window > Pathfinder and click on Intersect Shape Areas.

11. We will no be drawing the eyes. This step is actually pretty simple. Just draw three circles on top of each other using the Ellipse Tool (U). Make sure the bottommost circle is the largest and topmost the smallest. Group the three circles and copy (CTRL/CMD + C) and paste the second group right beside the first.

We now have a cute octopus vector illustration made in Illustrator! Now, you may be wondering where the other two tentacles are. Well, they’re hidden right behind the octopus :) Play around with the colors of these octopuses and feel free to share to us what you came up with!

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