Create a Snowy Evergreen (Illustrator CS2)
1. Open a new Illustrator Document, any size will do. Set the color mode to CMYK
NOTE: if you are working with RGB some steps will be different.
2. Create a Background
You do not want the background to remain white, because the snow will be white. For the purpose of this tutorial I will be using a simple blue background. To do this just draw a square the size of the document and color it blue.
3. Draw a Triangle
The best tool for creating a triangle is the polygon tool. Select it and instead of drawing out a shape just click once. This will bring up the polygon pallet. Choose three for the number of sides, then click ok.
4. Stretch the Triangle
Grab the black selection arrow and click on the triangle. Holding down the alt button, stretch the triangle so it is wider.
Note: holding down alt will stretch both sides evenly.
5. Duplicate the Triangle
With the black selection tool and the triangle still selected, hold down alt, click the triangle, and drag it down. This will create a second copy and begin forming the tree.
Note: if you hold down shift + alt while you drag, the triangles will stay aligned.
6. Ctrl + D
Click Ctrl + D to duplicate the last move exactly. You should now have a traditional looking evergreen tree. Adjust the width of each triangle for different looks.
7. Create the Snow
Use the Ellipse tool to create the snow, by drawing out multiple white circles. Make sure the foreground color is set to white and there is no stroke.
8. Add a Point
Once you have finished the snow, use the add anchor point tool to create a new point at the bottom of the tree.
9. Move the Point
Use the white selection tool the select the point and move it up slightly.
10. Finished
Add some snow fall, using tiny white circles, and an off white hill for effect.
