![Page 1: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artwork
Aug 23 2011 24 Comments By Jasmina Stanojevic
In this Adobe Illustrator tutorial, we’ll create a vector illustration of a high-heeled shoe by
tracing a reference photo of it using the Pen Tool. Using reference photos is a popular vector-
creation technique. This tutorial should be great practice, even if you’re just a beginner. For the
reference image, we’ll use a photo of my high-heel shoe, which I’ve made available for you to
download.
Preview
Tutorial Resources
![Page 2: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe
Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool
Download our reference photo and then open it in Adobe Illustrator. If you’d like to use your
own shoe, feel free to do so!
In the Layers Panel, lock the reference image’s layer by clicking on the empty box beside the eye
icon so we don’t accidentally move it around as we work. If done correctly, it should have an
icon of a padlock indicating the layer is locked.
After that, create a new layer on top of the reference image layer.
![Page 3: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Grab the Pen Tool (P) and start tracing the image. We’ll partition the shoe into small parts so that
we’ll be able to manipulate them individually later on.
![Page 4: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
![Page 5: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
![Page 6: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
![Page 7: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Your tracing doesn’t have to be perfect at first because you can always adjust your vector paths
later on. Also, some parts of the shoe will be hidden behind other parts, so don’t worry if some of
the edges aren’t completely perfect. We just need to make sure we’re creating smooth paths.
Let’s continue tracing. You can choose different Fill colors for each part of the shoe so we can
see them better.
![Page 8: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
![Page 9: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
![Page 10: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
![Page 11: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
![Page 12: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
![Page 13: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
You should end up with something like the image below (note that I’ve hidden the reference
photo temporarily):
![Page 14: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Those are actually all of the parts we have to create.
I have to admit, right now, our work doesn’t look like a shoe I’d wear in public. That’s what
we’ll work on next.
Step 2: Applying Colors and Gradients
Now, it’s time to apply some nice fill colors and color gradients to our vector objects.
Make sure to have the Gradient Panel open by going to Window > Gradient (Ctrl/Cmd + F9)
because you’ll be using it extensively throughout this step.
Use the images below to see how to color each part of our high-heeled shoe illustration.
![Page 15: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
![Page 16: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
![Page 17: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
![Page 18: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
![Page 19: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
![Page 20: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
![Page 21: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Use the same color gradient above for the strap by clicking on the strap to select it, choosing the
Eyedropper Tool and then clicking on the vector object above to set the strap to the same color.
![Page 22: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Do the same (use the same color gradient) for the strap’s edge.
![Page 23: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Continue filling in the unfinished parts of the shoe.
![Page 24: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
![Page 25: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
![Page 26: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
![Page 27: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
![Page 28: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
![Page 29: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
![Page 30: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
![Page 31: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
![Page 32: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
You’ll notice that we’re using the same gradients for the other parts of the shoe (we’re only
changing the gradient’s starting position and its angle).
![Page 33: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
![Page 34: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
![Page 35: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
![Page 36: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
![Page 37: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
![Page 38: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
Step 3: Create the Insole Surface
Select the inner side of the shoe and then go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Set the Offset value
to -5. Repeat this process for the lower part of the shoe.
![Page 39: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
Apply a red color gradient on the new path.
![Page 40: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
![Page 41: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Step 4: Adding Highlights
We could say that our shoe is finished, but since we’re trying to make the illustration as realistic
as possible, we need to give it some highlights.
Select the inner part of the heel and then duplicate it twice by first copying it (Ctrl/Cmd + C) and
then pasting in front (Ctrl/Cmd + F) two times.
Nudge one of the duplicates to the left by 1px using your Left Arrow key.
Next, select both the duplicates and then, in the Pathfinder Panel, hit the Minus Front button.
![Page 42: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Apply a subtle gradient to the resultant object.
![Page 43: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
Repeat the technique above for other edges of the shoe. Below, you can see some of the locations
where it’s a good idea to create highlights.
![Page 44: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
Step 5: Adding Surface Details to the Straps
Switch to the Pen Tool (P) and create the vector paths shown below. Make sure to create them
such that they follow the contour of the shoe’s shape.
![Page 45: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
Make sure you have the Stroke Panel open (Window > Stroke or press Ctrl/Cmd + F10 to toggle
its visibility).
In the Tools Panel, set the Stroke color to #414042.
In the Stroke Panel, check the box for the Dashed Lines option.
![Page 46: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
To remove any excess portions of the dashed lines, just use the Eraser Tool (Shift + E).
Step 6: Adding More Surface Details
There are a few more details you can add; use the image below for ideas.
![Page 47: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
Step 7: Creating Shadows
This is our last step. To enhance the 3D appearance of our illustration, we can give it a drop
shadow for enhanced depth.
To start, grab the Pen Tool (P) and create the two shapes shown below.
![Page 48: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
Select both shapes, go to Object > Blend > Blend Options and then, in the dialog box that
appears, set the Spacing option to Specified Steps and type in 30 in the input box on the right of
the option (which means the blend will be created using 30 steps).
Afterwards, create the blend by going to Object > Blend > Make.
![Page 49: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
Send the shadow behind the shoe by going to Object > Arrange > Send to Back (Shift +
Ctrl/Cmd + [ ).
Use the technique above to create a shadow for the shoe’s heel.
![Page 50: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
And we are done!
Tutorial Summary
The aim of this tutorial is to walk you through the process of creating a vector illustration using a
reference photo.
You can create amazing vector artwork just by tracing a reference image. All you have to do is to
practice your Pen Tool prowess, study the image’s colors, and take note of how the object’s
surface handles lighting.
Another thing I’d like to say — and you’ve probably heard it before — is that the details are
worth paying attention to. Try to breathe life into your illustration by actually using and
interacting with the subject (in this case, a shoe) if possible.
I hope you liked this tutorial. If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments
section below.
![Page 51: How to Turn a Photo into Vector Artworkhartington.esu1.org/~mhochstein/Graphic Design/How... · Stock photo: Jasmina’s High-Heeled Shoe Step 1: Trace the Photo with the Pen Tool](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022043014/5fb0ce1d2de8b10e1576ce09/html5/thumbnails/51.jpg)
Thank you for following along with me!
Download Source Files
high_heel_illustrator (ZIP, 1.03 MB)
Author: Jasmina Stanojevic