Let’s create our “Greyscale” version of the digital mascot design.
Open the Swatches panel. You’ll find a folder in the library that’s called “Grey” with a range of grey swatches.
Select the Pen Tool (P), and experiment with the grey tones from the Swatches panel, to fill in white spaces between the black outlines, with Stroke to None.
Your character will begin to appear alive.
Let’s take it to another level.
Unlock the “Outline” layer from the Layers panel. Select the Direct Selection Tool (A), and experiment with switching some black paths or shapes to white or grey tones.
Changing the outline colors and black shapes will diminish the aggressiveness of the black outline.
Lock the “Outline” layer from the Layers panel. With the Selection Tool (V), grab all the grey layers we created.
Duplicate the grey shapes to the mascot character design below, by holding down the Alt key and dragging, so we can create the color version without having to trace under the outline again.