Scattered Stars - Illustrator Tutorial

I decided I wanted some randomly placed scattered stars for a project this evening, and I had this idea as an alternate to making a symbol and spraying it, that I’d create a scatter brush. I felt there was more control using a scatter brush as opposed to symbols. Here is what I did, so you can replicate it if you wish…This is the image I started with:

1. Open up illustrator and choose any colour you like, select the star shape tool and draw an assortment of stars in all shapes, sizes and angles. (As above)

2. With all the shapes selected go to the brush toolbar palette, and using the small arrow to the right, click ‘new brush.’

3. Select ‘SCATTER BRUSH.’

4. Now play with the settings, I usually choose ‘random’ for all the boxes and make the brush size a little smaller. I made my stroke and applied the brush, then played with the settings, ensuring the preview button was selected, so I could see what was going on.

*Tip* By double clicking on the brush in the toolbar palette you are able to change settings for each individual brush stroke, as and when you feel like it.

*Tip* Selecting HUE SHIFT will allow you to be able to change your brushes’ color.

The End Result: I am going to replace the large star with an image.

*Tip* Select some of the brush strokes and right click, select arrange –> bring forward. This creates a layer effect.

Finally, if you create a small circle and plucker / bloat it you can create a selection of shimmering stars, by turning down the size and spacing down, leaving it to fixed you get a lovely little shimmery trail when you draw with the brush!

  Illustrator

  Illustrator, Scatter, Star, Symbol, tutorial