Create an illustration using pattern fills, vector networks, and effects

In this project, we’ll transform a basic ellipse into a sweet strawberry illustration that looks like it was sketched by hand. Along the way, we’ll use a pattern fill for the strawberry seeds, sketch out the leaves and stem with the Pencil tool, and use effects to add highlights and shadows. Let’s go!

Open Figma Draw

We’ll be using Figma Draw to create this illustration. Figma Draw is a set of visual design tools within the Figma Design editor. You can open Figma Draw in any Figma Design file you have can edit access to. To switch to Figma Draw, select Draw in the toolbar. Learn more about Figma Draw.

Create the strawberry

We’ll start by modifying a basic ellipse to create the strawberry’s body:

1. From the Shape tools menu in the toolbar, select Ellipse or press O on your keyboard.
2. Click on the canvas to add a 100 X 100 ellipse.
3. Rename the layer to Strawberry.
4. Change the fill to a pinkish-red: #E94E58.
5. Select the ellipse and press Enter to open vector edit mode.
6. Select the bottom point of the ellipse and type +20 in the Y position field in the right sidebar. This will move the point 20 pixels downward on the canvas.
7. With the bottom point still selected, click Mirror angle and length in the right sidebar, then drag the handles to shorten the length, making the point slightly sharper. Learn more about handle mirroring.
8. Press Enter to close vector edit mode.

Create the seed

The berry is starting to come together, but we can’t strawberry without seeds! Let’s create those next.

1. Select the Strawberry layer and duplicate it using the keyboard shortcut:
   • Mac: Command D
   • Windows: Control D
2. Rename the new layer to Seed.
3. Resize the Seed layer to 4 X 8.
4. Change the fill to a reddish-brown: #632A0B.

Apply a pattern fill

Now that we have our seed, let’s use a pattern fill to add them to the berry.

1. Select the Strawberry layer.
2. In the Fill section, click the plus to add another fill and choose Pattern as the fill type.
3. Click Select source, then select the Seed layer.
4. Use the settings to configure the pattern:
   • Tile type: Hexagonal
   • Direction: Horizontal
   • Scale: 100%
   • X spacing: 370%
   • Y spacing: 100%
   • Alignment: Center
   • Opacity 100%
5. Once you’re happy with the pattern, delete the Seed layer. Pattern fills persist even if the source layer is deleted.

Add a stroke

The seed pattern looks great! Now, let’s add a stroke to the berry:

1. Select the Strawberry layer and click the plus in the Stroke section to add a stroke.
2. Change the stroke weight to 2 and the fill to #632A0B.

Apply a texture effect

We’ll use a texture effect to help achieve the hand-drawn, organic look:

1. With the Strawberry layer selected, click the plus in the Effects section and choose Texture from the dropdown menu.
2. Use the effects settings to configure the texture:
   • Size: 20
   • Radius: 1.5

Create the leaves and stem

Let’s set the strawberry aside for a bit. Next, we’ll use the Pencil tool to create the line work for the leaves and the stem.

Draw the leaves

1. Select the Pencil tool from the toolbar or press Shift P.
2. Set the stroke weight to 2 and change the fill to the same reddish-brown: #632A0B.
3. Click and drag your cursor to sketch out the leaves. Use the Strawberry layer as a guide to help you with size and placement of the leaves. Rough sketches are fine! We’ll learn how to smooth them out shortly.
4. Rename the layer to Leaves.

Verify the vector path is closed

Before moving on, let’s make sure the vector path we drew is closed. We’ll need a closed path in order to add a fill later on.

1. Select the Leaves layer and press Enter to open vector edit mode.
2. Select the Paint tool and hover over center area. If the area is highlighted, the path is closed.
3. If the path is open, locate the start and end points of the path.
4. Click and drag one point over the other until you see a dot appear on your cursor, then release to close the path.

Use delete and heal to simplify the path

When you create vector paths with the Pencil or Brush tool, vector points are automatically added as you draw. The number of points created is determined by the length and complexity of the path. This process may create more points than you want, which can make the path look rough. Luckily, you can use delete and heal to create smoother curves. This handy feature removes unwanted vector points and automatically calculates a smoother, more elegant curve in their place. The following image demonstrates how delete and heal can improve a bumpy path while maintaining the original shape’s integrity:

1. Make sure you’re still in vector edit mode. If you closed it, select the Leaves layer and press Enter to open it again.
2. Select the Lasso tool from the toolbar. Then click and drag to select a group of points. Keep in mind, every point you select will be involved in the path simplification process. Deleting and healing too many points can result in an over-simplified shape.
3. Hold Shift and press Delete to delete and heal the selected points.
4. Continue simplifying section of the path until you’re happy with the shape.
5. Press Enter to close vector edit mode.

Give the leaves a fill

Once you’re happy with the shape and position of your leaves, it’s time to give them a fill:

1. Select the Leaves layer.
2. Click the plus in the Fill section and change the fill to a medium green, like #0FA328.
3. Position the Leaves layer on top of the strawberry.

Draw the stem

We’ll also use the Pencil tool to draw the stem:

1. Select the Pencil tool from the toolbar or press Shift P.
2. Sketch out a small triangle for the stem.
3. Make sure the path is closed using the method we learned above, then give the stem the same brown fill you used for the seed: #632A0B.
4. Reposition the stem on top of the strawberry.
5. Select all three layers and group them using the keyboard shortcut:
   • Mac: Command G
   • Windows: Control G
6. Enter -30 in the Rotation field in the right sidebar to tilt the strawberry.

Apply the final effects

Nice work! Before we wrap things up, let’s add some polish with highlights, shadows, and texture.

Add the highlight

We’ll start by applying a highlight effect to give our berry some shine:

1. Select the group. then select Inner shadow from the dropdown menu in the Effects section.
2. Use the effects settings to configure the highlight:
   • X position: 6
   • Y position: 4
   • Blur: 0
   • Color: FFFFFF
   • Opacity: 25%
3. In the effects settings, select Blend mode.
4. Choose Soft light from the blend mode options. This will diffuse the highlight, creating a more subtle effect.

Add a shadow

Next, we’ll use an inner shadow to give our berry some depth:

1. Select Inner shadow from the dropdown menu in the Effects section of the right sidebar.
2. Use the effects settings to configure the inner shadow:
   • X position: -11
   • Y position: -7
   • Blur: 0
   • Color: 000000
   • Opacity: 25%

Apply a texture effect

Finally, we’ll apply another texture effect to give the entire illustration the same hand-drawn look:

1. Select Texture from the dropdown menu in the Effects section of the right sidebar.
2. Use the effects settings to configure the texture:
   • Size: 1
   • Radius: 0.5

What’s next?

Nice work! You just created an illustration using shapes, pattern fills, vector edit mode, and effects. Ready to jam on some more ideas? Consider:

• Making a custom brush style to add a unique flair
• Experimenting with transforms to create interesting patterns and using them as pattern fills
• Creating additional fruit illustrations to build a collection

If you design something you're extra proud of, we'd love to see it! Mention us on X (formerly Twitter) @Figma or publish it to the Figma Community.