Create a Loving Cup

Using the Pen Tool (P) to draw two lines using an off gray stroke color. I’ve darkened it for the example below so you can see it better.

Draw the shape below behind your lines with a light golden brown fill color (C=25, M=40, Y=45, K=0). This will be your tea! Depending on how you like it, darken or lighten the shade. Once done, Group (Command + G) all three objects.

While the group is selected go to Effects > 3D > Revolve and use the settings below.

Use the Pen Tool (P) to create a curved, ear like shape for the handle with the same “15pt

Go to the Effects > 3D > Extrude & Bevel effect and use the below settings to create your handle.

Copy (Command + C) and Paste (Command + V) the handle and go to Object > Expand. Use the Free Transform Tool (E) to rescale and rotate the hand to be a reflection on the side of the cup. Then change the Blending Mode to Multiply and Opacity to 30%.

The cup will cast a shadow on the saucer, so I’m going to create a shadow using a black to black transparent radial gradient. First I’m going to select the group with our cup and saucer in and then Object > Expand it.

This is so it’s easier to draw a shape for the gradient fill in due to Smart Guides. Set the shadow to Blending Mode Multiply.

Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a squashed circle with a white to light golden brown filled linear gradient and set it to Blending Mode Multiply.

Now duplicate the shape and apply a white to light golden brown to transparent light golden brown radial gradient on top, then set the Opacity to 80%. Also, slightly offset it a few nudges with your arrow keys.

Group your ellipses (Command + G) and then set the Opacity to 75%. Duplicate the bubble group several times.Modify the scale of them using the Free Transform Tool (E) to give a less carbon copy look andplace them around the rim of the tea.

Using the Ellipse Tool (L), line up two squashed circles and use Pathfinder > Intersect to create a shape to cover the surface of the tea.

Move the shape below the bubbles. Then fill with a light golden brown to white radial gradient, and set the Blending Mode to Luminosity.

Use the Rectangle Tool (M) to create your background with a light green (C=50, M=0, Y=100, K=0) to white gradient.

Draw a circle with the Ellipse Tool (L) underneath the saucer with a black to black transparent radial gradient fill set to Multiply to create a shadow.

I’m going to create a quick steam effect using the Bristle Brush, which can be found in AI CS5. However, if you’ve not got this version, you can create a smoke effect. I’ve modified the Round Fan Bristle Brush as shown below:

FINISH