Step 69
Create New Layer above the “Hair 2” layer folder and rename it “Earring”. Draw a squashed circle with the Ellipse Tool (L) with a 10pt Stroke Weight. This will have a golden Stroke Color (C=6, M=31, Y=75, K=25).
Then Object > Expand the stroke to a shape. Within the Appearance panel, apply a golden stroke which is Inside Aligned with a 1pt Stroke Weight set to Blending Mode Multiply Opacity 80%. Add two New Fills and use the skin highlighting transparent radial gradient as a highlight on the front and back of the shape. These will be set to Blending Mode Color Dodge, Opacity 90% at the front and then 50% at the back. Finally apply a darker golden transparent radial gradient where the earlobe would create a shadow.
Step 70
Duplicate the shape and click the “Clear Appearance” button on the Appearance panel to remove all the attributes. With the Pen Tool (P) draw a shape over the ear lobe where it would be hiding the earring and then use Pathfinder > Minus Front to remove it from the duplicated shape. Use this shape to then create a Clipping Mask (Ctrl + 7).
Step 71
Add a sparkling texture to the earring by adding rough zig-zagged lines over the earring with the golden color as the stroke. Use the Paintbrush Tool (B) to do this with the Blending Mode set to Color Dodge and Opacity to 40%. Do several strokes to allow some to overlap to intensify the sparkles and then drag and drop all of these within the Clipping Mask group.
Step 72
As we’re nearing the end of the illustration, we want to modify the artboard dimensions by using the Artboard Tool (Shift + O). I’ve reshaped it to ensure I’ve got enough room around the illustration.
Step 73
I’m going to use the red and yellow colors from our Day of the Dead Kuler palette to fill a Rectangle (M) which goes across the artboard and give it a new fill and place a yellow transparent radial gradient in the center. Using the Gradient Tool (G) I’m going to shift the source of the gradient towards the bottom of the gradients remit.
Step 74
I’m going to add some subtle line art to the illustration, to make the regions a bit more defined. First I’ll duplicate the skin base shape and apply a stroke to the shape with a null fill, with the stroke Inside Aligned and a Stroke Weight of 3pt. This will have a light brown stroke color (C=4, M=25, Y=28, K=47) and will be set to Blending Mode Multiply and Opacity 50%.
I’ll then add additional lines with the same stroke and transparency options but with Width Profile 4, and add lines around the neck, arms, chin and chest. Once done, all lines will be Grouped (Ctrl + G) and placed within the skin shadings Clipping Mask group.
Step 75
To add bit more detailing in the background, I’m going to create a burst star effect. Draw a circle (L) with the yellow transparent radial gradient as the fill. Then go to Effects > Distort & Transform > Zig Zag and apply the options below.
I’ve then modified the Artboard (Shift + O) again to create a square shaped orientation.
Step 76
Finally, as with all of my portraits I’m adding some moles/beauty spots to the body. Usually I’d add one to the face, however given it is covered in make-up, I’m going to place them on her arms and shoulder. This is done with two dark brown transparent radial gradients within two circles which are slightly overlapping each other, set to Blending Mode Multiply, Opacity 40%.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial and can take some of the techniques used into your own illustrations. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!
Source: http://blogs.adobe.com/adobeillustrator/2012/04/creating-a-day-of-the-dead-inspired-portrait.html