I need some SERIOUS help in Illustrator... PLZ

[@hot]

I am to the point of wanting to smash my computer into many pieces because I can not complete this assignment that is now due in one hour. I am having to use the mesh tool to color and shade an anime picture.

This is the picture http://kmlinux.fjfi.cvut.cz/~pauspetr/files/zabuza1.jpg

I have a perfect black outline of the entire thing I just need color and shading. Is there any other way besides the mesh tool that this can be accomplished easily? I have tried the live paintbucket tool and it paints over the detail on the inside of the path. The reagular fill is alright but it also fills over some detail.

Any help at all is greatly appreciated! (P.S. I have already contacted my professor but he is not responding.)

 

[Skuffyshootster]

Eh, gaussian blur?

I'm n with Illustrator, does it have blurring filters?

EDIT: I just checked the official site, it does. So what you do is create a transparent layer, paint over the parts you want shaded, and apply the gaussian blur filter to it. Then you erase all the bits that stick out.

It works for me.

 

[@hot]

Eh, gaussian blur?

I'm n with Illustrator, does it have blurring filters?

EDIT: I just checked the official site, it does. So what you do is create a transparent layer, paint over the parts you want shaded, and apply the gaussian blur filter to it. Then you erase all the bits that stick out.

It works for me.

Okay Im going to try that. Hopefully the professor doesnt mind because I am honestly not understanding the mesh tool AT ALL. I was literally shaking with rage earlier. This is the first thing that has escaped me. I found a way to add color effectivly (hopefully)

Thank you. Ill post if it worked out in a little while.

 

[@hot]

That works amazingly. The only problem is I can not place a mesh inside of it to make it seem that I used it. If anyone else has some more ideas Im still open for them, but thank you for that solution. Its what Im going to use if I dont get something better.