How to Make a Vector Portrait

Illustration•Advanced•20 min read

Trace a photograph to create a stylized, flat-color vector portrait.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Place a high-contrast reference photo on your artboard and lock the layer.
Step 2: Create a new layer on top. Use the Pen Tool to trace the largest shadow shapes first.
Step 3: Fill these base shapes with your darkest colors.
Step 4: Create subsequent layers for mid-tones and highlights, tracing smaller shapes.
Step 5: Use the Pathfinder to clean up overlapping paths and ensure a clean final vector.