How to Create a Kawaii Avocado in Affinity Designer

Today we have a super fun tutorial on how to create a Kawaii Avocado in Affinity Designer. Kawaii designs are cute, lovable creations that are simple to draw but full of character. With this easy to follow tutorial, you will be creating adorable Kawaii Avocado characters in no time.

We will be showing you two shapes that you can start with. If you want to try out other really cute faces, have a look at how to create Kawaii faces in Affinity Designer.

Let’s begin by creating a new document in Affinity Designer. If you prefer to use a ready made option, we have an awesome collection of Kawaii Avocado designs for you to browse.

Step 1 - Create a Grid Guide

To help with drawing our design, we need to first set up a grid on the page. Go to View and make sure that Show Grid is ticked. Then click on Grid and Snapping Axis. A new window will open.

We changed the Preset to 1cm Square and made sure the box for Show Grid was ticked. All the other settings were left as is.

Step 2 - Create the Round Avocado Shape

We will begin with a very easy and basic shape before creating a more rounded version. You are welcome to use either shape or create your own.

Create Rounded Rectangle

At the top toolbar, click on the Snapping tool to activate. Then click the drop down menu > Snap to grid.

On the left side toolbar, click on the Rounded Rectangle tool. Now hold Shift and click + drag out the shape.

Convert the Shape to Curves

During the process we will be using the Node Tool to create the shapes. In order to use the tool we need to convert the shape to a curve. Select the rectangle then right click > Convert to Curves.

Delete the Nodes

We want to delete some of the top nodes. With the Node Tool active, click + drag to select the two left corner nodes. They will be highlighted in blue. Now hit Delete on the keyboard. Do the same for the right side.

Curve the Nodes

Click on the top node then click on Curve to Smooth.

For the next part, we are going to add Ruler guidelines for a more visual guide. This is totally optional.

Go to View > Show Rulers if your rulers are not visible. Now, click + drag out a guide from the left ruler to the right side. Place it where you want the bottom curve to be. Drag out another guide and place it on the left side. This will determine the width of the avocado base.

Click + drag out a guide from the top ruler down about two thirds of the way. This will be the height of the curve. The grid will help with snapping in place.

Shape the Round Avocado Design

Click + drag each side node so that it snaps to the guidelines. Begin shaping the round avocado design. Use the Convert to Smooth tool to smooth out the sharp nodes. If needed you can use the image below for reference.

Next, we will create the curved shape. If you prefer to use this round shape, you can skip the next step.

Step 3 - Create a Curved Avocado Shape

Use the round avocado shape above as the basis for the curved shape. Simply move the two top nodes inwards to create an almost pear shape. Adjust the handles to smooth out the curves.

The image below is the result of our curved avocado shape. We have highlighted the nodes so you can clearly see how both nodes and handles are positioned.

We are going to use this curved shape to complete our Kawaii Avocado design.

Step 4 - Add Avocado Character Elements

With the more complicated part out of the way, let’s have some fun. We don’t need the ruler guides right now so click on View > Guides Manager. At the bottom of the window click on Remove All Guides.

You can drag out guides again later and remove them whenever you want.

Create Custom Palette

If it makes things easier, create a custom color palette before carrying on. We used the following HEX code colors. To use HEX codes, go to the Color Panel on the right, click on the burger menu and select Sliders. Then, click on the drop down menu > RGB Hex.

#374F1D

#71A639

#B6E189

#CFF3AA

#362414

#6E4523

#835D3B

#AF8E70

#CE648B

#E393BB

#EBCADB

Black and White

Color Base of Kawaii Avocado

Select the shape then click on the Color Picker tool (eye dropper) on the left side toolbar. Click on the darkest green to fill the base.

Right click the avocado shape layer under the Layers Panel, then select Duplicate. Fill with the next color of green. Click on the Move Tool top left and resize the shape so you can see the dark green as a thin outline. Using the Move Tool, you can reposition the second shape to center it.

Duplicate the layer again, fill with the next color green. This time, resize it a bit smaller.

Add a Side Accent

Let’s add a side accent to our avocado base. Duplicate the layer and fill with the lightest green.

Switch over to the Node Tool, then click + drag two right side nodes to the left. We added in an extra node to make it easier to curve to the shape of the avocado. Work with the nodes and handles to create the result you want.

Create the Kawaii Eyes

If needed, you can drag out new ruler guides. We added a ruler guide for the mouth element that will be added soon.

The eyes are very easy to create. Use the Ellipse Shape tool on the left side panel. Then change the fill to black using the Color Picker at the top toolbar. Now, hold Shift and click + drag out a circle.

You can also use the Transform tools bottom right to input the values.

Create two more circles, fill these with white. Make these smaller than the black circle. Make one white circle smaller than the other one. Position these as shown in the image below.

Create a third white circle, then convert it to a curve. Edit the nodes until it looks like a side accent. Place this accent bottom right of the black circle.

Next, select the layers for the black and white circles under the Layers Panel. Now, right click > Group and rename to Eye. This will make it easier to work with.

If you want, you can also group the avocado bases.

Duplicate the Eye Layer

Select the Eye group layer, right click > Duplicate. Click + drag this duplicate layer to the right side of the avocado. You will see red guidelines appear that will help with repositioning.

Create the Mouth

Select the Segment Tool from the Shape tools on the left toolbar. Drag out the shape, then right click > Transform > Flip Vertical. Reposition using the guides so it sits just beneath the eyes.

Convert this shape to a curve in order to edit the nodes.

Adjust the top of the mouth to create a curve by clicking + dragging down.

Once again use the Segment Tool, but this time create a little tongue. Let this overlap the bottom of the mouth just a bit. Now fill with the darkest pink.

Use the Boolean Operations

The tongue detail needs to be edited with the Boolean Operations for the mouth design.

Duplicate the mouth layer, then click on the top toolbar icon Move to Front. This will move the layer to the top.

Select both the mouth duplicate and tongue detail. Then click on the Intersect button in the Boolean Operations top toolbar.

This is the result.

Design the Avocado Pip

We are almost done with our Kawaii Avocado design. Let’s create the avocado pip. Using the Ellipse tool, drag out a large oval shape. Then fill with the darkest brown.

Duplicate this layer and fill with a slightly lighter brown. Decrease the size so that the darker circle creates a prominent border.

Create an oval shape and fill this with the third lightest brown. At the top of the selection box you will see a white circle.

Placing your cursor over this will turn it into rotation handles. Next, click + drag to rotate. Position the oval on the bottom right of the pip.

Create Accents for Pip

To complete the pip, add three accents using the lightest brown color. You can use the image below as a guide on the size and position of each accent.

Keep in mind, when editing nodes, the shape needs to be converted to a curve.

Add Pink Cheeks to the Face

One last thing to add to our Kawaii Avocado design are the pink cheeks.

Create a circle, fill with a pink color. Now create a second circle two thirds the size. Fill this with the lighter pink. Position this lighter circle as an accent on the right side of the first circle.

Select both circle layers, right click > Duplicate then move the duplicate to the other side of the face. You can position the cheek spots where you choose or follow our image as a guide.

You can turn off the grid by going to View > Grid and Snapping Axis then untick View Grid.

There we go, all done. You can now go ahead and export the design as a JPG or PNG. Do this by going to File > Export, then choose a format.

Here is our Kawaii Avocado design. We have also included the rounded shape as an alternative.

How cute are these avocado designs? They would make great sublimation ideas for t-shirts, or even used as stickers. There are so many projects these little cuties can be applied to. We hope that you had fun learning how to create a Kawaii Avocado in Affinity Designer.