In this tutorial, you will have the opportunity to learn how to use
the Gradient Mesh Tool in Adobe Illustrator to draw a simple travel flyer template. Then
you'll see how to turn this template into a real flyer with Placeit!

If you'd like to skip this tutorial and just use this flyer background in your work, you can go ahead and simply purchase Travel Background With Photos From Holidays from GraphicRiver!

1. How to Draw a Cocktail With a Lemon

Step 1

Begin with a #F3F0AD rectangle. Drag its edges and bend it sideways to create a circle (it'll create a better mesh grid for later).

Grab the Mesh Tool (U) and add some mesh nodes as indicated below. Drag the edge nodes together so they overlap, and then color the edge of the circle with #DAB943.

Follow the screenshot below to see which nodes to color in which step.

Step 2

Continue coloring the lemon according to the image below. Use these colors:

1. #B98F36


2. #EBE067


3. 
   #F9F9D3
   
   

Step 3

Draw the inner part of the lemon with Mesh. Use these:

1. #E8D74B


2. #DFBF2A


3. 
   #C9AC31
   
   

Step 4

Turn the top edge of the lemon slice completely transparent.

Step 5

Draw another element.

1. #E7D649


2. #EFE288


3. 
   #F7F3BE
   
   

Step 6

Draw another part of the lemon.

1. #E7D649


2. #EFE288


3. 
   #ECDF6F
   
   

Step 7

Draw the final piece.

1. #E7D649


2. #EFE288


3. 
   #F7F3BE
   
   

Step 8

Place the elements onto the slice.

Step 9

Place the wedges onto the lemon slice.

Step 10

It's time to draw the cocktail glass for our simple flyer background! Use Gradient Mesh and these colors:

1. #E8E0CE


2. #E2BD1D


3. 
   #D58C1C
   
   

Step 11

1. #E1A91D


2. #E9D771


3. 
   #F4F1E8
   
   

Step 12

Make the top part of the glass transparent.

Step 13

Draw the base of the glass.

1. #EFE7CE


2. #D2CAB1


3. 
   #9E967D
   
   

Step 14

1. #C6BEA5


2. #F7F1D8


3. 
   #A58747
   
   

Step 15

Set the base to 70% Opacity.

Step 16

Draw a straw for the cocktail.

1. #D58743


2. #E8C47D

Step 17

1. #D58743


2. #A27A68

Step 18

1. #C37334


2. #D99450

Step 19

Assemble the straw.

Step 20

Finish the cocktail glass to add to the flyer template.

2. How to Create the Photos

Step 1

Begin drawing the background for the cocktail photo on our simple flyer.

Step 2

Finish drawing the background.

1. #4BB6CE


2. #F4F4E6


3. 
   #D0C594
   
   

Step 3

Place the glass onto the background. Our first photo for the flyer design is done!

Step 4

Draw the base for the polaroid.

1. #FFF5CF


2. #EDD9B3

Step 5

Add a #322412 square.

Step 6

Draw two rectangles with rounded edges, the bigger one colored with #FEF3CD and the smaller one with #322412.

Make the bigger rectangle transparent, and go to Object > Blend > Blend Options. Select Specified Steps, 30 and apply. 

Next, select both rectangles and go to Object > Blend > Make.

Step 7

Change the object's Blending mode to Multiply with 50% Opacity.

Step 8

Place the Blend shadow under the polaroid and add the cocktail image to complete the polaroid for the flyer design.

Step 9

Consult the tutorial below to learn how to draw palm leaves to use in the flyer background.

Make a Clipping Mask as shown in the screenshot.

• 

  How to Create a Vacation Beach Background in Adobe Illustrator

  Learn how to create a vector vacation background using the Mesh Tool in Adobe Illustrator!
  
  

Step 10

Draw a circle with a Radial Gradient, changing it to Screen with 95% Opacity.

Step 11

Use the same Gradient on an ellipse. This time, use Screen with 80% Opacity.

Step 12

Place the ellipses inside the circle.

Step 13

Assemble the scene out of the background we made earlier, the palm leaves and the highlight.

Step 14

Learn how to make the hat, the chair, flip-flops and suitcase here:

• 
  Gradient Mesh Tool
  
  
  How to Create a Summer Vacation Background in Adobe Illustrator
  
  
  Vladimir Galantsev


• 
  Gradient Mesh Tool
  
  
  How to Create a Set of Vector Suitcases in Adobe Illustrator
  
  
  Vladimir Galantsev

Step 15

Consult these tutorials for the chair, the sea background, and the flip-flops:

• 
  Gradient Mesh Tool
  
  
  How to Create a Summer Vacation Background in Adobe Illustrator
  
  
  Vladimir Galantsev


• 
  Nature
  
  
  How to Create a Vacation Beach Background in Adobe Illustrator
  
  
  Vladimir Galantsev

Step 16

Draw a new background for the flip-flops.

1. #EFF8D6


2. #7DC7E3


3. 
   #DACA78
   
   

Step 17

Assemble the photo.

Step 18

Draw #E9ECCD stripes for an umbrella.

Step 19

Draw a #4698BA base.

Step 20

Add a pole.

1. #E6E6E6


2. 
   #FFFFFF
   
   

Step 21

Assemble the umbrella.

Step 22

Add the umbrella to complete one more polaroid for the flyer template.

Step 23

Place the polaroids in a vertical pile for the flyer design.

Step 24

Add a #A9D1E2 background to create the simple flyer background.

Step 25

Use Placeit to turn this simple flyer template into a real flyer design!

Awesome Work, Your Simple Flyer Background Is Now Done!

What now? You can try any of my other tutorials from my profile, or check out my portfolio on GraphicRiver, as well as the original vector we recreated in this tutorial.

Check out some of my banners as well!

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial, and I would be super happy to see any results in the comments below!

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• 

  How to Create a Vacation Beach Background in Adobe Illustrator

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• 

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• 

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