Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 10/7/2008

Question
hey there, i would really appreciate if you would help me out here. Ive been trying to do some artwork in illustrator which requires alot of linework. mainly inspired by this artist, http://hydro74.com/ .. if u can see the linework on that page you see some areas that are covered in black, like the eye sockets and nose and other small parts. how can i fill in these areas in illustrator after doing the linework? also when im doing lines i get realy annoyed when im doing very close lines and one line joins wit the next. i do a line and then very close to that line i try and do another line and the first line jus connects wit the last one making it one line instead of 2 separate lines. is there something i need to disable to stop it from joining my lines. im using the brush and drawing with a tablet. thanks a lot.

Answer
Hi Abdi,

First, this kind of artwork was not created using the brush tool. This intricate artwork will require you to use the pen tool to get close enough to create spaces for filling. I do a lot of hard core illustrations like this and using the pen tool is the only way you can keep it all straight.

The way I create things like this is to trace my sketches using the pen tool on the outside of the shapes, normally filling in with black, then creating the interior shapes filled with white. Brush tools create stroked effects and rarely do a good job with enclosed shapes.

Thanks

Kevin