FLoating ISland

Review Examples

Take a look at the examples in the Google Slides deck to the right for inspiration.

Choose an island

1. To choose a floating island to start:

   • Choose one on the left and click and drag it over to the artboard

   • Find a different drawing online (needs to have highlights and shadows and be similar complexity) that will be your floating "island" (see the last slide in the examples Google Slides above for inspiration)

   • Free hand draw a floating island

2. In the "Layers" panel, lock the "Choose an Island" layer.

Find Reference Photos

1. Think of 3+ things you would want on your floating island. This can be anything school appropriate.

   • There are example photos in the Illustrator file. You may use them if you don't have any ideas for what else you'd want.

2. When you find a photo online, right-click and click "Copy Image"

3. Then in Illustrator, in your "Layers" panel click on the "References" layer and then click "Edit" > "Paste"

4. Once you have your 3+ images, arrange them on your island as you wish.

5. In your "Layers" panel, with your "Reference" layer selected, click the three bars in the top right then click "Template" - this will lock it and reduce the opacity.

Trace Your References

1. In the "Layers" panel, click on the "Drawings" layer.

2. Using the "Paintbrush Tool" and your tablet pen, trace the things in your reference photos.

3. Make sure to also trace the shadows so your things appear 3D.

Hide Reference Layer

Hide "Template": In your "Layers" panel, click the rectangle next to the "Template" layer to hide it.

Adjust and Draw Extras

1. Draw additional little things to connect your 3+ things and make them all seem like a cohesive island drawing.

2. You can also want to adjust the scale of some objects once you see it all together.

3. You can also add more shadows or fill in areas to create contrast.