Creating Ribbon & Bow Shapes

In this tutorial, I hope to show you how to use the Pen, Rectangle and Brush
tools to create basic shapes for making ribbons and/or bows.

This tutorial was written on June 16, 2007, using PSP 9, but can be done in most graphic programs.
Tutorials are only guidelines, it's always fun to experiment with different settings on your own : )

-  A good working knowledge of Vector drawing tools is needed to complete this tutorial  -

Supplies needed: Corel Paint Shop Pro Tools Used: Pen Tool:       Rectangle Tool:        Object Selection Tool:      Paint Brush:

Tools setup:
Line Style (for all vector tools) - Solid.
Stroke width and Color - your choice.
Fill - Only used on the painted twisted ribbon.
Check 'Connect Segments', 'Create On Vector' & 'Show nodes' when using the Pen Tool.

I usually use a line width anywhere between 1 - 10 pixels when creating
my ribbons/bows, depending on whether or not I want an edge.

Create a new file (File >new), any size you like, transparent background.
Try one or all of the techniques listed below.


SHAPES 1 - Ribbon & Bow Loop:

Click HERE to view a sample of the finished product. Grab your Pen Tool, select Mode 'Point to Point - Bezier Curves:  Draw out a wavy line.  Below is what mine looked like: Duplicate your wavy line layer.  Making sure that the duplicate layer is the only layer selected; use the Object selection tool to move it down as shown below: Right click on the duplicate layer and select Merge > merge down. Selections > Select none. Grab the Pen Tool; change the Mode to Lines/Polylines: Add a new vector layer; draw a line connecting the left end of your ribbon. Selections > Select none.  Add another new vector layer and connect the right end. Sample of connecting lines: Selections > Select all. Objects > Group. Delete the leftover empty layer that PSP leaves after grouping layers. Name the Group layer 'Ribbon' and hide this layer for now. The benefits of grouping 'like' objects is that you can make changes to all of them at one time, just by double clicking on the 'group' layer. BOW LOOPS: Important: The width of your finished bow loop should match the width of your ribbon. Mine are larger for tutorial purposes only. Go up to Selections > Select none. Layers > New vector layer. Using the Pen Tool, follow the below steps, making sure you 'select none' after each step.  Group these layers as we did above and rename it 'bow loop'.  Hide this layer for now. BOW Knot: Selections > Select none. Layers > New vector layer. Draw out a small rectangle using the Rectangle tool . Objects > Convert to path. Use the Pen Tool to shape the rectangle into a 'knot' for your bow. Your ribbon & bow template is now complete.

SHAPES 2 - Twisted Ribbon:

Click HERE to view a sample of the finished product. Create a new file. Again, set your Pen Tool to Bezier Curves.  Draw out a shape similar to what I have below: (After drawing the shape, right click on any node that may need editing & change the 'node type' to Cusp - This makes it easier to reshape each section, as needed). This shape may now be duplicated then mirrored to create a 'twisted' ribbon effect. (I used the Lighten/Darken brush to finish my ribbon off)   Your twisted ribbon template is now complete. Painted Twisted Ribbon Click HERE to view a sample of the finished product. Step 1: Grab your paint brush tool (or click the letter 'b' to activate it). Click the 'Presets' button on the Tool Options Palette > click the black arrow. Change your brush setting to match mine below: Step 2: In your Materials Palette, set the Foreground color to a color of your choice. Draw a squiggly line on your canvas (see the image on the left of my sample for reference). When you have a shape you like, add some detail using the Retouch brushes.  The dodge and burn, or even lighten/darken brushes work great for that. I didn't spend much time on mine, but as you can see, the possibilities are endless.

SHAPES 3 - Thin floppy bow:

Click HERE to view a sample of the finished product. Create a new file. Set your Pen Tool to Bezier Curves.  Follow the below steps, making sure you 'select none' after each step.: BOW LOOP: Create a new vector layer and draw out your tail. TAIL: Use the same technique as we did in our first bow, grouping your loop layers, and creating a knot from the rectangle selection tool. Your thin floppy bow template is now complete.

Now that you have an idea of what steps to take, below is a sample
of some of my other finished bows, along with the shapes used to create them.

I hope you had fun trying this tutorial; I would love to see your results!