
Step 1
Let’s open Adobe Illustrator and create a canvas that is 25 × 11 cm (9.84 × 4.33 inches), in RGB, and at 300 DPI. Let’s start on the left side of the canvas.Step 2
Using the Selection tool (L), select everything except the perfect circle. Hold them, and press Shift, and then drag across, which will duplicate the elements.Step 3
Before we can start with the Mesh tool, we have to choose the main colors of the mushroom, set them as fills, and disable all strokes. I chose four colors… Beige for the face (R:233 G:201 B:126)…Step 4
Like me, you’ve probably used the Mesh tool only a few times, if ever. Mastering a tool is hard if you don’t know the basics, so let’s try a simple exercise before proceeding. First, create a perfect beige circle using the Ellipse tool (L) + Shift.Step 5
Before starting on the mushroom, lock the other elements so that you don’t accidentally select them with the Lasso tool (Q). But lock one element at a time (face, then head, then eyes, etc.). Let’s begin with the face. Make a net using the Mesh tool (U). Try to make it symmetrical.Step 6
Use the Mesh tool (U) on just one of the eyes. We’ll duplicate it later to save time.Step 7
Use the Mesh tool (U) on the head. Making this grid will be a bit tougher because it’s bigger, but it doesn’t have to get too complex.Step 8
I decided not to use the Mesh tool on the circles, because they are fairly simple shapes and have way less light to be managed. Instead, I used the Gradient tool (G) to get a white-to-gray radial gradient, and I just adjusted its direction and amount.Step 9
For a final touch, I added a simple ellipse to the bottom using the Ellipse tool (L). Then, using the Gradients panel, I applied this fading black gradient and adjusted its amount and shape. Quite simple, and better than a Gaussian blur to achieve the same effect.The Result
Well, I hope you had a great time following this tutorial and learning more about the Mesh tool.Read Next
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