The lovely library_of_sex asked for a tutorial on this icon. I'm not sure why, but how could I say no? So here we go, I tried to make this less rambly than usual but that wasn't gonna happen tbh.

Note: All of my tutorials are meant to provide a look into my process, techniques and reasons behind them, NOT to provide a way for anyone to copy an icon exactly, so please don't do that for any icon you intend to publish at least! Doing that just to practise is fine ofc. Instead, I'd be very happy to see what other kinds of icons this tutorial or any of my others could inspire :) (this part was not directed at Kim btw, I know you wouldn't do that! just a general message)

( this is 90% just gradient maps and textures )