... in Illustrator.

Step 1

First, place a high-contrasted image (high-key image, in this case my model Iva into Illustrator work area.

Step 2

There is a bunch of tracing software and plug-ins out there, but for this example I decided to do tracing manually with pencil tool.

Step 3

Use your imagination, draw something that you imagine, not just what you see.

Step 4

In order to get a right side of the face copy+paste left half, mirror and join to get the full picture, and then draw an oval shape around.

Step 5

Make some basic elements like simple flowers, leaves, circles and stains.

Step 6

On the other hand, if you need this illustration for any purposes and don’t want to bother going through ...

Scan something that you found on your desk. In this case it’s paper clip and pencil. Important: Don't forget to cover copyrighted words or logos.

Place images into Illustrator (or CorelDraw) and trace it in b&w (2 colors mode. Both Illustrator and CorelDraw offer built-in tracing feature.)

All scanned messy spots and dots are very welcomed because we will use them to get some grunge look of the illustration. Place your vectorized stuff around the background.

Add some ink splatters, ink drips, coffee stains... and that's it.

For beginners: What is vector?...

Let me show you how I created a simple web shop icon (shop trolley).

In Illustrator (or similar vector software) make a simplified shop trolley "L" shape (the handle + basis).

Now, we will select the basis line and copy it two more times to get something similar to E shape where the left vertical line end up above the top horizontal line. Draw one vertical line that will close the shape.

As for the wheels, create two circles below the basis of the trolley. Make one ellipse and then a second one, smaller in the middle of the first one. (Do that using Ellipse tool). Select both ellipses, and subtract them with "Pathfinder -> Subtract from shape area" option.

There is our wheel :)

Copy that wheel and position them under the basis.

Now for the background circle ...

And now something completely different!

Following the rumors on more and more people claiming to be Vampires, I decided to start a magazine "Vampire's Health", or at least design a cover page in case anyone ever decides to make a magazine for that particular "type" of people.

So, since I took the time and effort to make this cool cover page, thought I might as well show you how it's done :) so if you are into or plan to become a professional graphic designer this will be funny and cool way for you to learn how to make a cover for the magazine.

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