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How to Create Smoke Brushes and a Smoky Font in Illustrator

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This post is part of a series called Vector Text Effects.
Create Colorful, Layered Paper Type in Illustrator
How to Add Decorative Glamour to Your Ordinary Script Font
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What You'll Be Creating

In this tutorial, I'll explain how to draw smoke and create a smoke design in Illustrator. You'll make a vector smoke brush and use it to create a cool smoke illustration.

Get awesome, premium Illustrator brushes with a subscription to Envato Elements. For a low monthly fee, you'll get access to tons of creative digital items, including premium Illustrator assets.

What You'll Learn in This Vector Smoke Brush Illustrator Tutorial

  • How to draw smoke and create a vector smoke effect
  • How to create Adobe Illustrator smoke brushes

Watch this video to learn how to make a vector smoke brush in Illustrator. Also, follow us over on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:


1. How to Create a New Document

To begin our Adobe Illustrator vector smoke brushes project, let's create a New document (Command-N) for print in A3 (297 x 420mm).

Create a new documentCreate a new documentCreate a new document

2. How to Create a Background and a Vertical Stroke for Your Smoke Design

Step 1

Make a rectangle with the Rectangle Tool (M) that covers the whole artboard and make it black. While the rectangle is selected, go to Object > Lock > Selection (Command-2), which will lock the object so that you can't select it.

Create a backgroundCreate a backgroundCreate a background

Step 2

Take your Pen Tool (P) and make a vertical stroke (click to make a start point, then click somewhere over or under the start point while holding Shift to make a vertical stroke). Make the stroke white and the fill blank. Set the weight of the stroke to 0.05 mm.

Create a lineCreate a lineCreate a line

3. How to Copy and Move Your Stroke to Create a Smoke Illustration

While your stroke is selected, grab the Selection Tool (V), and then hit Enter and type in 0.05 mm for Horizontal and 0 for Vertical. Click Copy and hold Command-D (Object > Transform > Transform Again) for around 20 seconds, which will perform the Transform Again command multiple times.

Transform the strokeTransform the strokeTransform the stroke

4. How to Adjust the Transparency of the Smoke Texture

While all of your strokes are selected, set the Blending Mode to Screen and Opacity to 8%. Then Group them (Command-G).

Adjust transparencyAdjust transparencyAdjust transparency

5. How to Draw a Smoke Design Shape

Take your Pen Tool (P) and draw a smoke design shape that looks something like that shown below. Next, we'll be creating smoke in Illustrator.

Draw smoke shapeDraw smoke shapeDraw smoke shape

6. How to Create the Vector Smoke Effect

Step 1

Now for the magical step of making smoke in Illustrator! Make sure that the shape you just made is on the top and click it. Then hit Command-Shift-Right Bracket key (Object > Arrange > Bring to Front). Select the path and the strokes and go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make With Top Object (Command-Alt-C). Check that the Blend Fidelity is set to 100 (Object > Envelope Distort > Envelope Options, there you should set the Fidelity to 100).

Envelope optionsEnvelope optionsEnvelope options

Step 2

Now that's pretty cool, but if you take a closer look, you will see that the strokes are pretty clear. If you do not intend to make a stroke out of this, you can fix it by clicking Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur... and typing in 7.0 px, but since we are going to make a stroke out of it, we'll do that later (shapes you want to turn into strokes can't have effects like this one added). Below is an image of the Illustrator smoke effect.

Smoky effectSmoky effectSmoky effect

7. How to Create a Vector Smoke Brush

Step 1

Now drag your smoke into the Brushes panel. If you can't see it, then hit F5. Check New Art Brush and hit OK.

Create a new brush Create a new brush Create a new brush

Step 2

Name your brush whatever you want to, set the Direction to Up and Method to Tints and Shades, and then hit OK.

Art brush optionsArt brush optionsArt brush options


8. How to Create a Smoke Text Effect for Illustrator

Step 1

Now you have your brush, but do you have something to use it for? If yes, remember to choose Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur... and type in 0.7 px when you have assembled your brush. If no, continue reading.

Gaussian blurGaussian blurGaussian blur

Step 2

Now we can create our smoke letters. Take your Pencil Tool (N) and draw some letters, one letter at a time. Group them, add the stroke, and set the Stroke Weight to 0.5 pt. Now we can create our smoky text.

Use the Pen ToolUse the Pen ToolUse the Pen Tool

Step 3

Copy your smoky letters (Command-C) and paste them behind (Command-B). Set the Stroke Weight to 3 pt. Now go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur and type in 7 px.

Yes, this is a Photoshop effect, so it will rasterize, but if you hit Command-K and check the Scale Strokes and Effects, then you'll be fine when you want to scale it. Once you're done, you should have a final smoke illustration that looks something like the image below!

Final smoky imageFinal smoky imageFinal smoky image

Holy Smoke! You're Now Done Creating an Illustrator Brush for Your Smoke Designs

Now you know how to draw a smoke design and create Illustrator smoke brushes. I hope you learned something that will help you with your smoke illustrations. Good luck creating your own vector effects for your smoky textures, smoky fonts, and any other smoke design you have in mind.

Smoky textSmoky textSmoky text

Top 5 Premium Brushes and Effects for Your Smoke Illustrations (From Envato Elements)

1. Smoke Text Logo Effect (PSD)

Smoke text effectSmoke text effectSmoke text effect

The Smoke Logo Text Effect is an incredibly easy Adobe Photoshop template that's used for creating really cool smoke effects on typography, symbols, and logos. This is perfect if you want words written in smoke or if you want to add a smoky texture to your designs.

2. 20 Smoky Textures / Backgrounds (JPG)

Smoke backgroundsSmoke backgroundsSmoke backgrounds

This pack contains 20 high-resolution textures and backgrounds that you can use for your own projects and designs. These smoke designs are perfect for illustrations, photos, landing pages, or website layouts.

3. Shiny Flow: Smoky Texture Backgrounds (JPG)

Shiny SmokeShiny SmokeShiny Smoke

This pack contains ten high-resolution shiny smoke backgrounds with different color variants and different distinctive wave designs. These background designs are perfect textures to use for tranquil and peaceful projects.

4. 75 Overlays for Smoke Illustrations (JPG)

Smoke overlaysSmoke overlaysSmoke overlays

This pack contains 75 different high-resolution smoke overlays to use for your projects. Simply drag and drop the images into your designs and set the layer blending mode to screen. These images are perfect for illustrations, photos, landing pages, and much more.

5. Realistic Smoke Vector (AI, EPS, JPG)

Vector smokeVector smokeVector smoke

This pack contains realistic vector smoking effects and fire vectors with transparent backgrounds that you can use for your Illustrator smoke effect and design projects. These vector shapes will save you a lot of time creating smoke in Illustrator and can be used for your video game, movie, graphic design projects, and more.

Looking to Learn More? Check Out Even More Smoke Tutorials Below

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