Low Poly Illustration

Low Poly Art

Low poly art is short for low polygon art. It is a minimalistic art style used in video game design, animation, and illustration.

Create File, Save as a Cloud file, & Adjust Workspace

  1. Open Adobe Illustrator

  2. Click "Letter"

  3. "File" > "Save as..."

  4. Name: "Last Name, Low Poly"

  5. Make sure to save it as a Cloud file (there will be a cloud icon in your tab and ".aic" at the end).

  6. Adjust your workspace (go to "Window" > "Workspace" > "Essentials Classic")

Find a Reference Photograph

Find a photograph (like an actual photo taken in real life) (anything as long as it's school appropriate):

  • Use a photo of yours (to get it on your computer, email to yourself or add to your Google Drive)

  • Find a photo online from Google images, etc. (Right-click, copy image)

Create a Reference Layer

  1. Layer: In your "Layers" panel, rename your "Layer 1" to "Reference"

  2. Add image: Copy and paste your image. Or drag and drop.

    • If you drag and drop, make sure to embed the image by going to "Windows" > "Links", clicking on the image, and clicking the three bars then "Embed Images"

  3. Template layer: In your "Layers" panel, click on the "Reference" layer and then click on the three bars in the top right and click "Template"

Create a Lines Layer

  1. In your "Layers" panel, click the + to create a new layer.

  2. Rename the layer "Lines"

Trace Outline/Colors

  1. Pen Tool: Click on the "Pen Tool" icon or press "P" on your keyboard

  2. Fill/Stroke: Make sure the "Fill" is set to "None" and the stroke is black or another color

  3. Trace outline/colors: Now trace the outline of the object(s) in your image. Use only simple straight lines and angles (no curves). Also, outline the distinct different colors of the object(s).

Draw Triangles

Using your outlines as guides, add lines to create triangles:

    • You can continually draw the triangles from one to the next. You do not need to create a new complete shape each time.

    • Draw a lot of small triangles for detailed areas.

    • Draw large triangles for areas with less detail.

    • Each different color/shade should be a separate color.

    • Each point on your outline should be a point of a triangle.

    • When you see a minus symbol and if you don't want to erase a point, hold down the "Shift" key when you click the point.

Live Paint

  1. Select all of your lines.

  2. Go to "Object" > "Live Paint" > "Make"

  3. Click outside of your shape.

  4. On your keyboard click "I" to select the "Eyedropper Tool" then click inside one of the triangles, which will copy the color from the reference photo.

  5. Then on your keyboard click the "K" key to select the "Live Paint Bucket Tool" and click inside the same triangle to color the triangle.

  6. Repeat for each triangle.

Hide Reference

  1. In your "Layers" panel, click the rectangle next to the "Reference" layer to hide it.

Create a Background

  1. In your "Layers" panel, click the + to create a new layer.

  2. Rename the layer "Background"

  3. Click on the "Rectangle tool" in the left toolbar

  4. Click and drag to create a rectangle that covers your artboard.

  5. Double click the black square on the bottom of the left toolbar to open the "Color Picker"

  6. Choose a color.

Going for a 4?

  1. To get a 4, you need to use an additional tool and go beyond the instructions to enhance your illustration.

  2. When you submit to Canvas, add a comment to explain which tool you used (not the pen, selection, direct selection, rectangle, or live paint tool) and why.

Save as .aic and .pdf

  1. Go to "File" > "Save" to make sure to save your .aic file (if it is grayed out then it is already saved).

  2. Go to "File" > "Save As..."

  3. Choose "On your computer"

  4. Click "Creative Cloud Files" folder on the left menu

  5. Name: "Last Name, Low Poly"

  6. Click "Save"

  7. Click "Save PDF"

  8. Once you save as a .pdf, exit out of Illustrator. If you need to edit again and resave, make sure to edit your .aic file and re-save as a .pdf.

Turn in to Canvas

Turn in your .pdf file on Canvas in the "Low Poly Illustration" assignment.

Going for a 4? Remember to add a comment to your submission.

"I'm Done"

If you have more time in class, check out the "I'm Done" page.