Live paint is an function in Illustrator which in my opinion doesn't get enough attention and it is a powerful tool. Pathfinders cut the shapes into separate shapes whereas live paint leaves the objects editable it's non destructive. Here's a simple example of a simple info graphic illustration made with live paint showing the average beer consumption.
1. I drew a typical dutch beer glass.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCwWw1tlpOD1fAsSrnwOa9jYQ8tSvNkG1-wAJ5Ook8M5LSNM42houW8Ti5zUgGt5C0bNXFhlO0Fbr026OjZIEXHaEXde2kl6lCk21Qu2gZ-CS4facx5-Cw1GTC9l1lM9DDFt1JHcoytQ/s320/Picture+30.png)
2. With the pen tool i drew a line marking the top of the beer (beer line).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UyEUcZP-tW1egT5iPXorGOu9SzNRZdCQk4Ij2vtnloEWvamFPZdjy4NaOmHwfcmrHdvs0mmx4ud164XSiiYo1kI6_EcwuVfKeEavRk-5hrW1He5EfM3oXH9S1fL20fDMzRtN29Z4I3A/s320/Picture+29.png)
3. Select the glass and 'beer line', select the live Paint tool in the toolbox and click to make a live paint group. You can also go to Object> Live Paint> Make.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5o8GOV1UyesCNQeHk3FcqoKW4dokls6bU2_VGIVtS46pj1A2WWpFWtq5ySO7dCsdgKo7RQr4Fr1a70bzKKcY5VgToSmbvx9Flg-WOzCY3Tlq-jX99DA58ehXboxYS_phlq_lf-rZ0GU4/s320/Picture+22.png)
4. The separate parts of the illustration will now have a thick red border when hovering above them to show you the live paint sections. When selected the anchor points with the crosshairs shows you that it is a 'Live Paint Group'
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-bVK4EzLSjZcyx4aaiOUiNNq5XlsguV4D_8Wk_Fr8VOf15ltzo8wMKWlE_uKz-t7PMgw5gDYVik_OY2LTSnI9ZQkiWmwwAFsLUSpOhf0aHAAHfqtqxoy3v_mz3xbu6ZXiiwEgmY07Uc/s320/Picture+28.png)
5. Select a yellow swatch, select the Live paint tool and click in the lower part of the glass.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZTePzROcy1vRgwtcxve4gfFtHn66mqAMze4C51no-EAxl_pr6A5GO91xCYwzmfSpSEFpbU-L53OdeGhj77X3sYNtdum5BeeLXNn9m_h4njkxezU7n7GB3HjZNCC_JkQYlOlGzJoBJX8/s320/Picture+31.png)
6. Select the 'beer line' with the group selection tool and drag it up or down to change the amount of beer in the glass.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCtttZtnLHDyXcp-Qh1s89c2wkDIyhx7w-FqfCubr45zlSH_o4OKKC5rNg2kr5Xct6fzlO5uB_CdnPT4nBmzpxdMXh57wp53EnZG3vzIDdG93uWRnwauvY9Xv8jQZ6sCbiHQjLqKyiMk/s320/Picture+24.png)
Give the 'beer line' a stroke of none to hide it.
The first glass has been copied and the 'beer line' simply dragged down.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7fhP0EIz0tl9UzJmH4GDVBKr7FprMadOm14gRcMnBdErURgaNrwtQPlTFQ5F06bZ_urpaitC2_hsjp8P3YTXhhdlKrmzadHn2fGJhvOVKywGcHeu6jfuoCsMf9fr1A1AFQ6kbxPPtlY/s320/Picture+27.png)
How much the average consumption is I have no idea. If I have to go by our last BBQ all the glasses would be filled to the rim and the scale larger ; - ) Cheers.