INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - SPOOKY HALLOWEEN SCENE

Halloween is right around the corner so lets create some spooky characters. Here is the spider, bat, ghost, cat, skull and a pumpkin along with a dark and ominous cloud hiding the moo. The only thing that isn't scary is how easy it is to build all of this! Enjoy and and have a great time.

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Create a rectangle.

Use the Direct Selection tool and select the top 2 corners and pull the corner widgets in to the middle.

Create a circle and then delete the upper half. 

Move the half circle into position touching the open tips. Select each set of touching tips with the Direct Selection tool and Join them. COMMAND + J.

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Select the joined set of half circles. Use the Free Transform Tool to shear the circles to the left. 

Use the Direct Selection tool and select the bottom stroke and delete it.

Move the waves into position under the body. Use the Direct Selection tool and select the points where the half circles touch the body and Join them. 

Use the Direct Selection tool and select the points where the half circles touch the body and Join them. 

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Add ovals for the eyes and mouth. Add a gray fill to the body, slightly darker for the eyes and mouth. 

Copy the body shape. Click on the body and select Draw Inside Mode at the bottom of the Tool Bar. 

Paste the copied body into the body, move it slightly to the left, fill it with white. Click on the Draw Normal Mode at the bottom of the Tool Bar. 

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Create and oval. 

Duplicate the oval partly over it self. 

Select both shapes. Use the Unite Mode in the Pathfinder Panel. Add a black stroke around the body.

Copy the body shape. Click on the body and select Draw Inside Mode at the bottom of the Tool Bar. 

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Paste the copied body into the body, move it slightly to the left, fill it with a lighter orange. Click on the Draw Normal Mode at the bottom of the Tool Bar. 

Add an Arc on top for a stem. Round the ends (hot dog) in the Stroke Panel. 

Add ovals for eyes and a triangle for the eyes. 

Create a circle for the body of the bat. 

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Create another smaller circle at the top of the body. 

Select both shapes, use the Pathfinder Minus Front Mode. 

Create 3 circles, touching each other but not overlapping. 

Use the Direct Selection Tool to remove the bottom half of the circles. Select each set of touching tips with the Direct Selection tool and Join them. COMMAND + J.

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Use the Direct Selection Tool to remove the bottom half of the body.
COPY this for later. 

Move the half circle into position under the body. Use the Direct Selection tool and select the points where the half circles touch the body and Join them. 

Create a rectangle for the head. 

Use the Direct Selection Tool to remove the bottom line of the rectangle. Select the top 2 corners and pull the corner widgets in. 

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Fill the head with white. Place it over the body. Add eyes in the head. 

For the ears, place 2 circles over each other 1/2 overlapping. 

Use the Pathfinder Intersect Mode to create the ear.

Paste the body (which was copied a few steps back). Choose Object>Path>Offset Path. 

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Use the Direct Selection Tool to remove the first and second layers of paths. 

Use the Direct Selection Tool to remove sections of the 3rd path to get the wing highlights. 

Move the items into place. 

Use the Pen Tool to create the tail by clicking on the open points of the wing.

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Create an oval for the spider body. 

Use the Arc Tool to create a leg. 

Duplicate the leg to mirror the first leg. Draw a straight leg as well. Group the legs, duplicate them then Reflect them for the other side.

Add ovals for eyes. Copy the body. 

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Copy the body shape. Click on the body and select Draw Inside Mode at the bottom of the Tool Bar. 

Paste the copied body into the body, move it slightly to the left, fill it with white. Click on the Draw Normal Mode at the bottom of the Tool Bar. 

Add a line for the web the spider hangs from. 

Create a circle and a square for the skull. 

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Select both shapes and Unite them with the Pathfinder. 

Use the Direct Selection Tool to select the INSIDE corners where the neck meets the head and pull the corner widgets OUT. 

Add ovals for the eyes, triangle for the nose and and white filled squares for the teeth. Fill the head with a light gray. 

Copy the head. Click on the body and select Draw Inside Mode at the bottom of the Tool Bar. Paste the head into the shape, fill with white then click on the Draw Normal Mode. 

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Create 2 circles, overlap them half way. 

Use the Intersect Mode in the Pathfinder. Copy this shape for later use. 

Place a rectangle 2/3 of the way down the shape. 

Select both shapes and use the Pathfinder Minus Front. 

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Use the Direct Selection Tool to corner widget the bottom corners slightly. 

Add an oval for the head. 

Paste the shape you copied. Make 2 of them for the ears. Add a stroke to all the shapes. 

Unite the body and the ears. Draw an Arc for the tail, place it behind the body.

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Paste the shape again for the eyes. Copy the body. 

Click on the body and select Draw Inside Mode at the bottom of the Tool Bar. 

Paste the head into the shape, fill with white then click on the Draw Normal Mode. 

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Open the Gradient Panel. Create a gradient with some reds and oranges. 

Create a shape behind all the spooky characters and fill it with the new gradient. 

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Add some darker ovals under the characters. Place the ovals behind the characters. 

Create some darker orange, large ovals and place them behind the character. These ovals will extend way beyond the art work. 

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For clouds, create several rectangles, all the same height but varying width. Stagger them, select them all (make sure they are all touching) and Unite them in the Pathfinder Panel.

Use the Direct Selection Tool to select JUST the OUTER corners and pull the Corner Widgets in to the center. 

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Use the Direct Selection Tool to select JUST the INNER corners and pull the Corner Widgets in to the center. 

Fill the clouds with gray and add a dark stroke. 

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Create the moon by creating 2 circles with a slight overlap. 

Select both shapes and use the Minus front command in the Pathfinder Panel.

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Arrange all the characters, add the moon behind the clouds. For added effect, copy the clouds, remove the stroke and set the opacity to 40% and place it behind the characters to create a dark spot where the cloud goes over the scene. Happy Halloween everyone!