How to make a Smiley in 7 steps

Here I will show you how to create vector based smiley. This is a vector based image created in several easy to understand and I hope to follow steps.

The advantage of this type of creation is that you can scale this image at approximately unlimited width and height. It will remain with perfect borders and colors.

I used Macromedia Fireworks but you can use every vector based application to follow this tutorial.

Smiley Tutorial

Outside border

Step 1Create a circle and make the fill a linear gradient as shown.

Inner Circle

Step 2Duplicate that circle, scale it down a bit and make a radial gradient. I am doing that because Fireworks doesn't allow transparent edges only with vector tools. You can use a gradient mask.

Simple Reflection

Step 3Draw reflection form, make fill edge feather with amount of 2px and place over the top of the rest.

I am ashamed...

Step 4Create a small circle filled with red, make fill edge feather but this time with stronger value like 8 pixels and opacity about 50%. It depends on the actual size of your smiley.

Eyes and eyebrows

Step 5This is really simple. Just small black circle and a curved line mirrored on the other side.

Mouth

Step 6Two circles, subtract the large from the smaller one. You will have yellow mouth. Duplicate mouth, make the fill red and move the red 1 pixel in top direction.

Shadow

Step 7Make a small black circle. Scale it down as shown. Make border edge feather with amount of 10 and make the opacity about 60%. Then move this shadow under the main body.