Inkscape Tutorial: Ladybird On Leaf

Ladybird on Leaf Tutorial

In this tutorial you'll learn how to create a vector graphic of a ladybird on leaf.

I'm using Inkscape version 0.48.
With a custom view selected I have 'Align & Distibute' and 'Fill and Stroke' tools opened.

LEAF

Let's start by drawing an OVAL.
Pick a green COLOUR
Remove STROKE
'Object to Path'
Double click on the object to bring up the path nodes
Click, hold and hover the mouse over top and bottom nodes to select both of them at the same time.
Then click on 'Make Selected Nodes Corner' twice.

You should end up with a very symetric leaf shape. Now select both horizontal nodes and while holding CTRL button move them slightly down. They should both move at the same time.

STEM

Click of the graphic and select bezier tool
Create a triangle.
Arrange nodes to shape the stem
Change it's colour to green

Round the lower edge of the stem
Decrease LIGHTNESS a little so it's darker than the leaf
Click on the leaf, press CTRL + D to duplicate it
Change it's colour
Grab the right node and move it to the middle so it's edge runs alongside the stem
Grab the left node and repeat the process
Select stem and bring it to the top
Add linear gradient to each leaf parts with darker green on the left and brighter on the right
Select and GROUP all together

LADYBIRD

Egg shaped horizontal oval
Pick a red COLOUR
Remove STROKE
Draw rectangle to cut out the lower part of the red shape (Path/Difference)
Click on 'Edit paths by nodes' or double click on the object to bring up the path nodes
Grab the lower path in the middle and move it down to create a curve
Draw a black circle to create a head
Position it on the left side and below the red shape
Duplicate the black circle few times to create spots
Allign spots, change their size
Where they stick out:
Duplicate red shape, shift select it with spot and from Path menu select 'Intersection'
Repeat with other spot
Radial gradient for the shine on head and body:
Duplicate red shape/head, make it white, pick and adjust the gradient
Decrease the opacity
Draw a long, thin triangle with bezier tool across the red shape
Align the shape's nodes and their handles so it looks like a gap between ladybird's elytras.
Pick a Black colour
Remove the stroke
Bezier tool for legs and oval for antenna
Select & group all together
Duplicate and change colour to black
Flip vertically
Squeeze by half and skew to the left
Reduce opacity and lower the shadow to the bottom
Select and group
Position the ladybird on a leaf to finish.