The planets in this example help to give
your illustration a sense of depth. By
keeping your lighting consistent and
sizes varied, you can give the impres-
sion that these bodies might actually
have a surface. The creation really is
quite simple but can be taken to
extremes if need be.

 

Most of the planets in this example are
nothing more than a combination of
three circles, one black, one with a tex-
ture and directional fade applied, and a
smaller one indicating reflected light.

 

The two methods here are quite simple
since the resulting image will be very
small and little if any detail will show in
the finished image.

 

Remember to keep your light on all of
the images coming from one direction.
Unless of course you’re trying to depict
the odd binary star system... you’ve got
your work cut out for you!