Lily Collins
Lily Collins is an actress I’ve always admired for her roles in various films. She reminds me of Audrey Hepburn in many ways and has starred in movies such as The Blind Side, The Mortal Instruments, and Stuck in Love. The project prompt was to create either a vector portrait or a packaging design using Adobe Illustrator. Initially, I started working on a packaging design but realized I didn’t have access to the necessary materials to bring it to the level I envisioned. So, I shifted focus and created a vector portrait featuring Lily Collins as the subject instead. The challenge was selecting a subject and developing an illustration style that would effectively represent them. This project aimed to help me refine my illustration skills while exploring different styles. I had about two weeks to complete the project.
I discovered a tutorial that introduced a unique illustration style using varying shades of black (100%, 80%, 60%, etc.) to add depth and contrast. Using a reference photo of Lily Collins, I broke down her facial features into blacks and grays, zooming in on fine details like her pupils. I layered these shades, added color, and incorporated yellow boxes, paint splashes, and white X’s for a distinctive style. Feedback suggested adjusting the color scheme to avoid a “zombie-like” appearance, so I opted for a brighter, more vibrant palette to bring energy to the portrait.
The final design captures the essence of Lily Collins through the thoughtful use of shapes and color. By waiting to add color until the end, I was able to prioritize the concept and overall design without distraction. The result is a cohesive vector portrait featuring a distinctive and unique illustration style.