Total Beginner – How Can I Recreate This Tree with Circuit Roots Graphic?

[JDavid77CR]

Hey everyone, I’m completely new to Illustrator and just starting to learn how to use it. I have no design experience and don’t really know what the tools do yet, but I’m trying to recreate this graphic that AI made for me (attached below). It’s a tree with colorful leaves, and instead of regular roots, it has these circuit-looking lines branching downward. I love the concept and thought it’d be a great way to start learning.

I have both a MacBook and an iPad with an Apple Pencil. I wasn’t sure if I should try drawing the tree on the iPad or build it from scratch on the Mac. Either way, I want to learn how to do this properly and understand how Illustrator works along the way. I’ve opened Illustrator a few times and tried messing around, but it’s still really overwhelming. If anyone has advice, tutorials, or step-by-step guidance that’s beginner-friendly, I’d really appreciate it. Super excited to learn!

Thanks in advance 🙂

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

I would probably create a grid for the Circuit roots using angled lines and then making a blend. Then mirroring that and rotting. Like this: https://youtu.be/eNS7kNI6cSQ

For the tree: I think I would draw the trunk. And then for the branches use open paths and the width tool. For the leaves you could check out brushes to make the base shapes easily. THen expand appearance and add the coloring.

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

This is just one option to draw the leaves. You might add a colorizazion method to create different colors easily. https://youtu.be/WHAfAV1_Yv4