Step 25

Scale up the shape. You can enter the values in the options bar above.

Step 26

Move the starburst slightly toward the upper half of the document.

Step 27

Set the starburst belnding mode to "Color Burn". Clip the starburst to the vintage pattern layer.

Step 28

I would like to hide the bottom of the starburst. Add mask to the layer first.

Step 30

Select the Gradient Tool, pick the black to white gradient and draw over the desired area like in the below image.

Step 31

The background has been prepped. Now we will start drawing the cat character. Lets start by creating the head. Select the Ellipse Tool and draw a circle shape like below.

Step 32

Develop the eyes from the ellipse shape. Use the ellipse tool to draw shape you see in the below image.

Step 33

Grab the Direct Selection Tool and select the middle left anchor point.

Step 34

Select the Convert Point Tool and click on the above anchor point to convert the rounded edge into a crisp one.

Step 35

Repeat the same thing with the middle right anchor point too.

Step 36

Hit Ctrl+T and rotate the eye at an angle to a degree that looks appropriate.

Step 37

Duplicate eye shape. Flip it horizontally.

Step 38

Draw the eyeballs using the Ellipse Tool.

Step 39

Now we apply gradient to the head base layer. Double click on the layer to load the Layer Style dialog box, create the below gradient and apply.

Step 40

Set the eye color to #4e2419.

Step 41

Draw the nose shape using the Polygon Tool

Step 42

Continue to construct the mouth shape. Use the Rectangle Tool to draw the below shape.

Step 43

Draw this shape further.

Step 44

Rotate the shape.

Step 45

Duplicate the layer.

Step 46

Press Ctrl+T, right click on the shape and choose Flip Horizontal.

Step 47

Your image should look like this so far.

Step 48

Now we draw the whiskers in Illustrator. Draw a curved line with the Pen tool. After drawing the initial path make a couple of copies.

Step 49

Select all the 3 shapes and create a copy of it by dragging while holding Alt key.

Step 50

Copy the both shapes from illustrator and paste into the main working document.

Step 51

Apply color overlay to match the color.

Step 52

Draw the ear shape with the Pen tool.

Step 53

Duplicate the shape and rotate.

Step 54

Now draw the body with Pen tool.

Step 55

Apply gradient to the body shape. Create the below gradient in the Layer Style palette and apply.

Step 56

We will draw the leg shape.

Step 57

Duplicate the shape and place above the body layer.

Step 58

Apply gradient to the leg shape.

Step 59

Apply the same gradient to the other leg as well.

Step 60

Draw the feet like in the below image.

Step 61

We are done with the front legs. Now we will create the back leg, draw the shape like in the below image.

Step 62

Now add the same gradient we applied to the body.

Step 63

Draw the feet.

Step 64

The character is almost ready except the tail. Draw the tail shape with the Pen Tool. Apply the gradient that is applied to the front legs.