(image copyright: Obey Giant)

Inspirational vector illustration tutorial

Need an inspirational vector illustration tutorial? You’ve come to the right place! Four years ago, there was a surge of political activity in the USA as Barack Obama swept to victory in a successful campaign that was epitomised by one particular image: an image created by Shepard Fairey (aka Obey Giant) from a photo taken by Mannie Garcia for Associated Press (AP). The poster went on to become a sold-out piece of inspirational grassroots activist art. Today, thanks to the good people over at Vectortuts+, we bring you a tutorial which can help to create your own inspirational illustration in the same vector style!

(image copyright: vectortuts+)

Photo and colour palette

OK, first up - you’ll need a suitable photo, featuring someone famous - or not, that’s up to you - but they will need to be looking inspirational, or inspired. Shepard Fairey’s got a good eye for this kind of detail - take a look at his style of content, or else search for propaganda posters from the old USSR days: these were creatted in the Russian Constructivism style which has influenced so much of this kind of poster work.

So - you’ve got your photo and your Illustrator is warmed up and ready to roll? Fantastic - click on the image below and prepare for the sage words of Zach Wentz to take you from poster zero to poster hero! 

(image copyright: vectortuts+)