Creating a blurred affect

[nickiec11]

I'm trying to create a look similar to the ProLine Racing logo http://www.pro-lineracing.com/. Mostly I'm interested in creating the blurs on the P. Does anyone have any tips on how to make this happen?

[TORCH511]

Lots of ways to do this, one such way

1. Create your P Either by drawing it out or by typing a P in the font desired (or one close enough). In this example I used Arial Black Italic

2. If you you used type, convert it to outlines (Type>Create Outlines from the menu bar). I changed from a fill to a stroke for emphasis.

3. Using the pen tool, select the path that makes up the P and start adding anchor points. I had edited the p to cut out the middle. The process remains the same.

4. Using the direct select tool move the added points around to create a jagged "blur" appearance. You might notice that the lines are actually quite sharp in the example you provided but the bevel and shading make it appear smoother than it is.

http://www.torch511.com/files/pexample.jpg

You can smooth it out as well, just requires a bit more work but that should get you started.

You could also, after creating out the outline you want, use the scissors tool to cut out the back and apply Filters>Distort>Roughen and adjust settings as necessary. Then simply join the path back up.

I tried it out and you get a pretty good result out of it. Again, lots of ways to go, just trying to get you headed in the right direction.

[nickiec11]

Great, thank you so much for the feedback and the fantastic tips. I tried it out on my logo and it looks great.

[TORCH511]

Illustrator is a replacement for the pencil/pen and paper. While the tool changed the fundamentals of drawing reamain the same. If you are trying to create something, break it down into basic shapes.

If you look at the P, it is just a P with some triangular spines coming off, and sometimes going in: So do just that. Create your P, create a triangle. Duplicate the triagle, move it maybe make it longer, fatter, skinnier... Make enough of them umtil you have the look you want and then Merge it all together (Pathfinder Pallet). Over time and experience you will see that there are many approches to take, none are right or wrong but some may be faster and more efficient for YOU.