Transforming a Photograph into Vector Artwork

For this project, I selected a photo of my dog to edit and prepare in Photoshop, where I refined the sizing and made minor touch-up adjustments. I then imported the image into Illustrator and used the Image Trace feature to convert it into vector artwork. Using a 16-color trace setting allowed me to preserve key tones from the original photo while giving it a stylized look. From there, I fine-tuned the piece by selectively brightening and darkening specific areas to enhance depth and visual balance.

Building Custom Color Swatches and Applying Illustrator Painting Tools

For this project, I created a custom color palette using swatches to develop a cohesive look for the elephant illustration. I chose a light gray base and added a gray gradient to the body and feet for a more realistic appearance. I also applied a blue gradient to the eyes to create contrast and visual interest. Each color used was saved as a swatch, making it easy to reference and maintain consistency throughout the artwork.

To enhance the scene, I used the Symbol Sprayer tool to add butterflies and flowers, and applied the Texture Brush to create small dotted details along the tops of the elephant’s ears. These techniques helped bring depth and character to the final illustration.