@daring-celt 21 September 2021 more from that month

Autumn Sketches #5. Pumpkin (part 1) Hi friends! Theme of 5th day in my sketch challenge named **Pumpkin** I decided to work in free vector editor **Inkscape**. I've not worked in this program before and found it very attractive.

My tutorial turned out to be very long, so I split it into two parts. So, I open **Inkscape** and create new file - **900** х **900** pxl

Then I select the **Oval tool** and draw a shape corresponding to the name.

According to my idea, the pumpkin will consist of four slices, so I draw three more ovals.

I select all of them, copy and paste copies into the document - I'll need them in later stages.

Then, do not deselect, I go to **Object - Align and Arrange**, a window opens with different alignment buttons. I press **"Align Bottom Edges"**

Then I move them closer together to create the basic pumpkin shape.

Then, again, without removing the selection, I go to **Path - Union**

Now, to give the shape a recognizable look I select **Path - Object to Path**

Now I can select **Edit paths by nodes** and give this object a recognizable pumpkin shape. To make it easier to align the lower nodes, I use **Select and transform objects** tool to pull out a horizontal guide from the upper ruler - nodes snapping to it is enabled by default.

I choose a color more reminiscent of a pumpkin for the shape.

Now I need to give the pumpkin a more or less realistic volume. I take one of the 4 ovals I copied earlier and place it over the base shape. It will be glare

I choose **Path - Object to Path** again to give the desired shape to the glare

When I modify all glares, I go to **Object - Fill and Stroke**

A separate window **Fill and Stroke** opens

Using the color wheel, I choose the right color

and remove the stroke in the Stroke tab (f*irst icon as cross*)

and then, using one of the lower sliders, I set the blur for it to **20**%

For the second glare I set blur **15%**

Ready-made version with glare.

To create a shadow on the pumpkin, I copy and paste the base shape. Move it below the original, select both objects and choose **Difference** from the **Path** menu. Yes, both of these shapes have strokes off.

I want to paint a shadow with a radial gradient

By default, the program opens a gradient - from color to translucency. To make the top of the shape semi-transparent, I change the direction of the gradient with **Create and edit gradients**

Then I select a shadow shape and press **Rise selection one step** on the property bar

and combine the shapes

Then I change blend mode of shadow to **Multiply** for a more spectacular look

The pumpkin is pretty, but still not bulky enough. I think it's worth adding some bright highlights on top. I will make them from copies of the first row of highlights, only I will modify them using the node editor.

I choose a very light yellow shade for the upper highlights.

But now the first row of highlights looks too sharp. Fill them with a suitable gradient to soften the edges.

I like this result better!

I also make for second highlights gradient fill

So, an appetizing ripe pumpkin is ready!

I select all the elements and group them for the convenience of further work

Next, I choose **Draw Bezier curves and Straight Line** tool and draw a stalk.

Fill in green, adjust the nodes

I select a suitable gradient for the stalk

and move it to the background

That's all for today. In the second part I will show you how to create pumpkin leaves, as well as how to create a beautiful background for your picture. Thank you for your attention and upvotes! Have a nice and creative day! Regards