This one is so easy its hard to believe I didn’t figure it out earlier. What’s great about it is not only the simplicity but the endless variations that can be done really quickly.
We’ll start out with one kind of flower and I’ll supply some extra examples at the end.
1. Go to the VIEW menu > SHOW GRID and VIEW menu > SNAP TO GRID. choose the Ellipse Tool and draw a perfect circle that is 2 small grid square wide and 2 small grid squares high (1/4″ circle). Use the SHIFT key to constrain the proportions.
2. With the Direct Selection Tool (White Arrow) draw a selection over only the bottom half of the circle – don’t go above midway.
3. Hit the DELETE key to delete the selected portion of the circle (if the entire circle disappears, undo and select ONLY the bottom portion of the circle). Then go to the OBJECT menu > PATH submenu > JOIN (cmd/ctrl + J) This will make a closed semi-circle.
4. Change the fill color of the semi-circle, if you are planning on having an outline for the flower petals go to the STROKE panel (WINDOW menu > STROKE if it is not visible) and change the alignment of the stroke to the inside – if the options are not visible for the stroke panel click the menu and SHOW OPTIONS. By doing this it will contain the stroke within the overall shape.
5. Choose the Selection Tool (Black Arrow), hold the ALT/OPT key down and drag the semi-circle immediately next to the original semi-circle. Do this 5 more times. With SNAP TO GRID still turned on the copies will lock into place as seen below.
6. Select the BRUSHES panel, if it is not visible go to the WINDOW menu > BRUSHES. Drag the collection of 6 shapes into the BRUSH panel window.
7. Select ART BRUSH and use the default options and click OK.
8. Draw a circle the same size as the original circle, with the new circle selected click on the flower brush in the BRUSH panel. Viola!
Some Variations:
Here is a version of the flower above with 12 “petals”
Use triangles instead of semi-circles
Or use a combination of circles and squares (I used the PATHFINDER > UNITE option)
To change where the brush sits, add an unpainted shape of equal height directly below the combination of shapes.
Because the brush is always oriented to the center of the shapes this forces the petals ride along the edge of the circle when you make your flower.
HAVE FUN!