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How to Create a Realistic Candle in Inkscape

Edited byTeresa and 2 others

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Create a Realistic Candle in Inkscape

Maybe you need a vector candle for a project or a newsletter. Inkscape can help you with that.

Edit Steps

  1. 1
    Open Inkscape and make the basic shape of the candle.
    Open Inkscape and make the basic shape of the candle.
    Open Inkscape and make the basic shape of the candle. The beginning of the candle was made using two tools: The ellipse and rectangular tool. The two colors are meant to show the two shapes. You could also draw the shape using the pen tool and drawing it somewhat freehand. This is the initial layer. Name it Trunk.
  2. 2
    Be sure to narrow it at the base a bit and have a bit of a rounded bottom as in this screenshot.
    Be sure to narrow it at the base a bit and have a bit of a rounded bottom as in this screenshot.
    Be sure to narrow it at the base a bit and have a bit of a rounded bottom as in this screenshot. To change the top oval to resemble a partially melted candle, select the oval, click on Path >> Object to Path and then start altering it.
  3. 3
    Select all of the shapes, click on Path >> Union. This will make them all one path. It will all go to one color. Change it to black, if it isn't already.
  4. 4
    Right click on the candle and select Fill and Stroke. Select the Linear Gradient icon and set the stop parameters as follows:
    • Offset of 0.00 and color of #c62f08ff
    • Offset of 0.30 and color of #c03c08ff
    • Offset of 0.60 and Color of #bd4607ff
    • Offset of 1.00 and Color of #df512aff
  5. 5
    Add a layer and call it 'Top'.
    Add a layer and call it 'Top'.
    Add a layer and call it 'Top'. Using the ellipse tool, make an oval at the top of the candle. Click on Path >> Object to Path and then change the path to look like a circle of melted wax.
  6. 6
    Make the 'Top' be gradient with just one stop.
    Make the 'Top' be gradient with just one stop.
    Make the 'Top' be gradient with just one stop.
    • Offset of 0.00 and Color of #fffab0ff
    • Offset of 1.00 and Color of #ffac19ff
  7. 7
    Create a new layer between "Trunk" and "Top".
    Create a new layer between "Trunk" and "Top".
    Create a new layer between "Trunk" and "Top". Call it "Trunk Highlights".
  8. 8
    Draw a box over the top half of the candle.
    Draw a box over the top half of the candle.
    Draw a box over the top half of the candle.
  9. 9
    Fill the box with a radial gradient.
    Fill the box with a radial gradient.
    Fill the box with a radial gradient. The stop parameters are:
    • Offset of 0.00 and Color of #ffac29c3
    • Offset of 0.47 and Color of #ffa92247
    • Offset of 1.00 and Color of #ffa21c00
  10. 10
    Get rid of the overflow.
    Get rid of the overflow.
    Get rid of the overflow. To do this, select the Trunk layer and copy it to the clipboard (CTRL C). Click Edit >> Paste in Place. Color it green so that it stands out from the rest.
  11. 11
    Be sure the green layer is on top. Click on Layer >> Layer to Top or Page Up or Page Down.
  12. 12
    Select the Trunk Highlight Layer and the new layer (probably green). Hold down Shift while selecting the two layers.
  13. 13
    Click on Object >> Clip >> Set.
    Click on Object >> Clip >> Set.
    Click on Object >> Clip >> Set. This will remove the unwanted extra highlight that you are trying to get rid of.
  14. 14
    Add highlights to the side of the trunk.
    Add highlights to the side of the trunk.
    Add highlights to the side of the trunk. You can add the shapes by using the Rectangles and Squares icon and then adjusting them.
  15. 15
    Select the two shapes, right click to Fill and Stroke and then on the Fill tab, set the Blur to 4.00.
  16. 16
    Give each of the linear gradients that go from white to transparent.
    Give each of the linear gradients that go from white to transparent.
    Give each of the linear gradients that go from white to transparent. Clip them both to the shape of the trunk.
  17. 17
    Make the lip at the top stand out with highlights.
    Make the lip at the top stand out with highlights.
    Make the lip at the top stand out with highlights. At the top front, draw a shape, similar to the screenshot, just below the edge.
  18. 18
    Blur the shape.
  19. 19
    Apply another white to transparent gradient, but this one will be a radial gradient.
  20. 20
    Draw similar shapes at various points around the lip.
  21. 21
    Blur them and add more radial gradients.
  22. 22
    Add one more highlight that goes all the way around the candle. It will be a ring shape with a hole in the middle.
  23. 23
    To do that, draw the outer ring and then the inner ring. Select both rings and then choose Path >> Difference.
  24. 24
    Set this one semi-transparent white and blur it. It doesn't need a gradient.
  25. 25
    To imply light coming from the flame, add a highlight to the inside of the lip.
  26. 26
    Blur the inner highlight. Thanks to our layering, the Blur doesn’t spill over onto the yellow ellipse.
  27. 27
    Apply a radial gradient going from orange-yellow to transparent.
  28. 28
    Extend the gradient handles beyond the bounds of the object.
  29. 29
    Start drawing the wick and flame. First, draw an ellipse in the top-center, color it yellow-orange, and give it some Blur. This will simulate the pool of molten wax around the wick.
  30. 30
    Draw the wick. This should be a very simple shape, but make it a little more interesting than a rectangle. Give it a black to yellow gradient.
  31. 31
    Let’s draw the flame. Create a new layer called “Flame.” Start by drawing a simple shape that shown below. Fill it with a solid, fleshy color.
  32. 32
    Draw a slightly different shape on top of it, leaving a bit of a gap at the bottom.
  33. 33
    Fill the top shape with white and Blur it.
  34. 34
    Draw a boomerang-like shape at the bottom of the flame.
  35. 35
    Fill it with yellow and Blur it.
  36. 36
    Draw a circle at the bottom of the flame and Blur it.
  37. 37
    Apply a peach to transparent gradient, running top to bottom.
  38. 38
    The candle itself is done, but it looks rather bland against a white background. Let’s draw a simple backdrop.
  39. 39
    For mine, I just applied a vertical, linear gradient, then layered a radial gradient on top of it.


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Edit Sources and Citations

  • Original information and idea found at Vector.Tutsplus.Com

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Article Info

Last edited:
August 21, 2011 by Ttrimm

Categories:
Inkscape

Recent edits by: Sammie_fee, Teresa (see all)

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