In this tutorial you will learn how to make a realistic vector bucket icon. You will learn to use the 3D Revolve function, how to add realistic light effects and how to draw different objects to form a composition.

Step 1

First thing you have to do is open a new document at 500×500 px. Using the the Pen Tool (P) make a shape like the one in the next image and fill it with a color (I chose blue).

Step 2

Now, go to Effect > 3D-Revolve and press OK. Leave the settings as default.

Step 3

Select the object after revolving and go to Object > Expand. Ungroup the shapes (Shift+Control+G) and select each side. Fill the shapes with a single color and Merge them.

Step 4

Select the hidden shapes behind the ones that can be seen and delete them.

Step 5

Draw a shape, like the one in the image, using the Pen Tool (P). Select the ones that I selected and Trim (in the Pathfinder menu). Ungroup and delete the shape you created with the Pen Tool.

Step 6

Duplicate the bucket body and make this copy smaller.

Step 7

In this step we will apply gradients to each part of the bucket. I made a stroke around each part of the bucket and a gradient style to see which ones fits. You don`t have to do this, you can use the same gradients I’ve applied to each part.

Step 8

Draw a handle using the Pen Tool (P) and apply a gradient that’s the same as the image below.

Step 9

In the next few steps we will make the screw. Make a circle and fill it with a gradient that’s the same as the image below. Make sure the circle is slightly distorted on the sides, this will keep with the perspective of the bucket.

Step 10

Duplicate the last circle created and make it smaller, fill it with black and reduce the opacity to 40%.

Step 11

Duplicate the white layer again, send it forward and make it smaller than the black one. Apply a gradient that’s the same as the image below.

Step 12

Now let`s make the screw holes. Using the Pen Tool (P) draw an X shape like the one in the next image. Fill it with black.

Step 13

In this step we will make the screw 3D. Using Pen Tool (P) make an arrow shape. You need to make 3 shapes like that. Apply radial gradient to each arrow (white inside the radial and black outside).

Step 14

In this step we will make the handle more realistic and give it the 3D feeling. Draw a shape that’s the same as the image below using the Pen Tool (P) and add the same gradient to it.

Step 15

In this step, we will make a lighting effect for the handle. Using the Pen Tool (P) draw a shape that’s the same as the image below, and make it white. Then duplicate it. Select the shape resulted from duplicating and add a black and white gradient to it.
Select both shapes – the white one and the one with gradient – and go to Transparency > Make Opacity Mask.

Step 16

Take the Pen Tool (P) and draw a shape that’s the same as the image below, send it backward, fill it with black and reduce the opacity to 40%. This will be the shadow on the bucket crown.

Step 17

Now we will make the handle shadow on the bucket. using Pen Tool (P) make a shape that’s the same as the image below, fill it with black and reduce the opacity to 40%. The shadow will come from the left side, so the shadow will be above the first half of the handle
and under the second half of the handle.

Step 18

To make the bucket more realistic we will make 2 shapes on the bucket crown. Draw the shapes using the Pen Tool (P) that are the same as the image below. Fill the left one with a dark gray and the right one with a light gray.

Step 19

Use the Pen Tool (P) to make a shape that’s the same as the image below, and make a layer mask. Set a black to white radial gradient, with white inside and black outside.

Step 20

Using the Pen Tool (P) make a shape that’s the same as the image below, send it backward until it appears under the crown and in front of the bucket. Fill it with black and reduce the opacity to 20-30%

Step 21

Duplicate the body of the bucket, distort it a little and move it to left. Add layer mask and make the gradient linear with white in the left side, black in the right side. Drag the gradient from left to right.

Step 22

Draw a circle under the bucket, slightly distort it to make it look more realistic. In this case distort it selecting the upper path with the Direct Select Tool (A) and drag it upwards like you can see in the next image. Go to Effect > Stylize > Feather and change the number to 13. Press OK. If the shadow is to dark, fill the circle with gray.

Step 23

Useing the Pen Tool (P), draw some files.

Step 24

Now we will apply a gradient to the file. I’ve applied a stroke to the file to see it better, you don`t have to do this. Apply a gradient that’s the same as the image below.

Step 25

Select the Pencil Tool (N) and draw some lines. This will make the writing on the file.

Step 26

Duplicate the file and send it backward. Rotate the copy and move it to the left. Then using the Pen Tool draw a folded page and apply the same gradient.

Step 27

In this step we will make file’s shadows. Using the Pen Tool (P) draw shapes that are the same as the image below, fill them with black and reduce the opacity to 30%. Send the shadows backward to be behind each file.

Step 28

Set the stroke and use the Pen Tool (P) to draw a paperclip.

Step 29

With the Pen Tool (P) draw some abstract shapes, this will represent the paperclip shadows. Move them away from the paperclip.

Step 30

Now let`s make the DVD and it’s cover. Start with a circle, fill it with dark gray and the stroke with a lighter gray. Go to Object > Expand and Ungroup.

Step 31

Duplicate the stroke and make it smaller, fill it with a darker gray.

Step 32

Duplicate the dark gray circle, make it smaller than the duplicated stroke and fill it with the same gradient that’s in the image below.

Step 33

Now select the dark gray circle and fill it with the gradient in the following image. After you’ve set the colors of the gradient, drag the gradient sliders from the top right to bottom left.

Step 34

Draw a white circle in the middle of the DVD circle.

Step 35

Using the Pen Tool (P) draw the cover of the DVD and apply the same gradient that’s the same as the image below.

Step 36

Duplicate the cover, send it behind the DVD. Fill it with the same color as the image below.

Step 37

Using the Pen Tool (P) draw the corners of the cover in a darker colour to the previous shape. To make it look more realistic add the 3D effect.

Step 38

Using the Pen Tool (P) draw the shape that will form the shadow from the crown of the bucket. Draw a shape that’s the same as the image below, fill it with black and reduce the opacity to 20-30%

Step 39

Using the Pen Tool (P) draw the shadows of the DVD, fill them with black, reduce the opacity to 20-30% and send them behind the cover.

Step 40

Draw the shadow cast by the DVD and its cover ontop of the files. Fill it with black, reduce the opacity to 20-30% and send it behind the cover and the DVD.

Conclusion

So there you have it, your very own bucket icon. You can apply these techniques to other objects and create an icon set or customise the contents of the bucket for different applications. Think about the items you see around the office and try and replicate them using the same techniques you’ve learnt in this Tut. Have fun!