how to draw a simple tree in illustrator

In the following tutorial, you will learn how to create a palm tree logo in Adobe Illustrator.

With a simple blend and some basic masking techniques, you will learn how to create a colorful background for your palm tree vector logo. Using basic vector shape building techniques along with some Transform, Warp and Zig Zag effects, you will learn how to create the palm outline. For the final touch, you will learn how to add a simple piece of text for your tropical logo.

If you don't have the time to learn how to create a palm tree logo you can always try Envato Elements where you will find a massive collection of palm tree designs to choose from. This colorful palm tree logo is just one of the many examples.

What You'll Learn in This Tutorial

How to set up a basic grid in Illustrator
How to easily align shapes in Illustrator
How to use the Blend Tool in Illustrator
How to mask in Illustrator
How to create a palm tree graphic design
How to warp and transform shapes in Illustrator
How to add text to a palm tree vector logo

Follow along with us over on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:

What You Will Need

You will need the following resource in order to complete this palm tree in a circle logo:

Folders font

1. How to Create a New Document and Set Up a Grid

Step 1

Hit Control-N to create a new document. Select Pixels from the Units drop-down menu, enter 850 in the width and height boxes, and then click that More Settings button. Select RGB for the Color Mode, set the Raster Effects to Screen (72 ppi), and then click Create Document.

Enable the Grid (View > Show Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). You will need a grid every 5 px, so simply go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid, enter 5 in the Gridline every box and 1 in the Subdivisions box. Try not to get discouraged by all that grid—it will make your work easier, and keep in mind that you can easily enable or disable it using the Control-" keyboard shortcut.

You can learn more about Illustrator's grid system in this short tutorial from Andrei Stefan: Understanding Adobe Illustrator's Grid System.

You should also open the Info panel (Window > Info) for a live preview of the size and position of your shapes. Don't forget to set the unit of measurement to pixels from Edit > Preferences > Units. All these options will significantly increase your work speed. Now that your document is set up, let's start the work on this tropical brand design.

Step 2

Start by selecting the Rectangle Tool (T) from your toolbar and either click on your artboard or hold down the Shift key as you click and drag to create an 860 px square.

Fill this shape with R=0 G=167 B=157, make sure that it stays selected and focus on the control panel. Set the alignment to artboard and then click the Horizontal Align Center and Vertical Align Center buttons to easily center your square. This shape will serve as the background for your palm tree logo.

2. How to Create a Blend and Mask It

Step 1

Switch to the Ellipse Tool (L) and use it to create a 300 px circle. Fill this new shape with any color and use again the Horizontal Align Center and Vertical Align Center buttons to center it.

Step 2

Reselect the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a 300 x 60 px shape. Fill it with R=255 G=222 B=23 and align it with the top edge of your circle, as shown below.

Using the same tool, create a second 300 x 60 px shape. Fill it with R=255 G=107 B=49 and align it with the bottom edge of your circle, as shown in the following image.

Step 3

Select your yellow and orange rectangles and double click the Blend Tool (W) from your toolbar. Select Specified Steps from the dropdown menu, set the value to 3, click OK, and then go to Object > Blend > Make.

Step 4

Move to the Layers panel (Window > Layers), drag your circle above the blend, and then select it along with the blend. Simply go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make to easily mask your blend.

Step 5

Grab the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a 300 x 80 px shape. Fill this new shape with white (R=255 G=255 B=255), place it as shown below, and then go to Effect > Distort > Transform > Zig Zag. Set both sliders to 5, check the Absolute and Smooth boxes, and then click OK.

Step 6

Switch to the Ellipse Tool (L) and create a 330 px circle. Fill this new shape with a random color and don't forget to center it.

Select this circle along with the white rectangle and go again to Object > Clipping Mask > Make to mask your white shape.

3. How to Create the Palm Tree Graphic Design

Step 1

Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 150 x 70 px shape, and fill it with white.

Switch to the Delete Anchor Point Tool (-) and use it to remove the bottom anchor point, and then grab the Anchor Point Tool (Shift-C) and click the left anchor point.

Step 2

Using the Pen Tool (P) or the Line Segment Tool (\), create an oblique path as shown in the following image.

Add a 5 pt stroke for this path, pick a random color, and then open the Stroke fly-out panel to select Width Profile 4 from the Profile dropdown menu.

Step 3

With the oblique path still selected, go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Drag the Move-Horizontal slider to 20 px and set the Copies to 3, click OK, and then go to Object > Expand Appearance.

Step 4

Select your group of black shapes along with the white one and just click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel to create your first palm tree leaf.

Step 5

Place your leaf shape as shown in the following image and focus on the Appearance panel (Window > Appearance).

Select the existing fill and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Move both Scale sliders to 80%, set the Angle to -45 degrees, drag the Move-Vertical slider to 5 px, set the Copies to 2, and don't forget to check the middle-right reference point (highlighted) before you click OK.

Step 6

Make sure that your leaf is still selected and keep focusing on the Appearance panel. Click the Add New Fill button to add a second fill, select it and make sure that the color is set to white, and then go again to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform.

Set the Angle to -15 degrees, drag the Move-Horizontal slider to 120 px, and don't forget to check the Reflect X box before you click OK.

Step 7

Make sure that the top fill from the Appearance panel is still selected and go again to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform.

This time, move both Scale sliders to 80%, set the Angle to -35 degrees, set the Copies to 1, and don't forget to check the middle-left reference point (highlighted) before you click OK.

Step 8

Using the Pen Tool (P) or the Line Segment Tool (\), create a 140 px vertical path and place it as shown in the following image.

Add a 20 pt stroke for this path, make it white, and then open the Stroke fly-out panel to select Width Profile 4 from the Profile dropdown menu.

Switch to the Width Tool (Shift-W) and simply click and drag the top point to slightly increase the width of the stroke at that point, as shown in the second image.

Step 9

With your vertical path still selected, go to Effect > Warp > Arc. Make sure that the Vertical box is checked, drag the Bend slider to 30%, and then click OK to apply the effect.

4. How to Add the Text

Step 1

Grab the Type tool (T) from your toolbar and focus on the Character panel (Window > Type > Character) to set the settings for the text that you're about to add.

Select the Folders font and set the size to 70, and then click on your artboard and type in "Palm Resort". Make it white.

Step 2

Using the Pen Tool (P), create a curvy path below your text, as shown in the following image.

Add an 8 pt stroke for this path, make it white, and don't forget to select Width Profile 5 from the Profile dropdown menu. With this final touch, your modern palm logo is complete.

Congratulations! You're Done!

Here is how your palm tree in a circle logo should look. I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and can apply these techniques in your future tropical brand projects.

Feel free to adjust the final palm tree design and make it your own. You can find some great sources of inspiration at Envato Elements, with interesting solutions to improve your tropical tree logo.

Popular Tropical Logo Ideas From Envato Elements

Envato Elements is an excellent resource for tropical logo ideas. Here's a short list of some of the most popular tropical logos that you can find.

Palm Wave: Tropical Logo Template (AI, EPS)

If you don't have the time to create your own design, you can use this modern palm logo. Adjust the colors as you wish and replace the text with just a few clicks.

Tropical Island Logo (AI, EPS)

Do you prefer a line art logo for your tropical brand? Check out this tropical island logo and feel free to edit or make any changes you deem necessary.