Comments on: How to turn a photo into an illustration http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration Design, marketing, graphics, internet, print, London Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:33:33 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Rob Cubbon http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-86967 Rob Cubbon Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:21:44 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-86967 I think you're right, <strong>Paul</strong>, sometimes, especially if the original bitmap is of poor resolution, the best way to do a vector is to trace by hand. It takes time but at least you'll know you get everything looking smooth and as it should. I think you’re right, Paul, sometimes, especially if the original bitmap is of poor resolution, the best way to do a vector is to trace by hand. It takes time but at least you’ll know you get everything looking smooth and as it should.

]]> By: Paul Baines http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-86887 Paul Baines Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:15:22 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-86887 Great article - a lot of people would say the only way to guarantee a perfect transition from bitmap to vector is to simply trace the whole image by hand. Preferably the black outlines first and then colouring. Halftones still present a problem for me! Great article – a lot of people would say the only way to guarantee a perfect transition from bitmap to vector is to simply trace the whole image by hand. Preferably the black outlines first and then colouring. Halftones still present a problem for me!

]]> By: Free stock photography for a graphic designer | Blog | Freelance Graphic Designer London http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-81896 Free stock photography for a graphic designer | Blog | Freelance Graphic Designer London Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:53:14 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-81896 [...] you can turn a photo into an illustration using Illustrator’s Live Trace function, Photoshop filters or by whatever other means. But, [...] [...] you can turn a photo into an illustration using Illustrator’s Live Trace function, Photoshop filters or by whatever other means. But, [...]

]]> By: Rob Cubbon http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-76521 Rob Cubbon Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:14:10 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-76521 Thank you <strong>Roselyn</strong> and <strong>Melayu</strong>, I actually can't do without Photoshop or Illustrator but I'm glad you have found this post useful. Thank you Roselyn and Melayu, I actually can’t do without Photoshop or Illustrator but I’m glad you have found this post useful.

]]> By: Melayu Boleh http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-72248 Melayu Boleh Thu, 14 May 2009 16:53:42 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-72248 Thanks Rob, for sharing this tutorial.. I really like it.. actually i'm not good in Adobe illustrator, but I want to try it by refering your tutorial.. Thanks again.. Thanks Rob, for sharing this tutorial.. I really like it.. actually i’m not good in Adobe illustrator, but I want to try it by refering your tutorial.. Thanks again..

]]> By: Roselyn | Nuviderm Tattoo Removal http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-71369 Roselyn | Nuviderm Tattoo Removal Fri, 01 May 2009 12:58:12 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-71369 Wow! I got a lot of cool info here. Thank you for recommending Adobe Illustrator CS2/3. I'm planning to buy the photoshop but I think I'll buy this one instead. Many thanks :) Wow! I got a lot of cool info here. Thank you for recommending Adobe Illustrator CS2/3. I’m planning to buy the photoshop but I think I’ll buy this one instead. Many thanks :)

]]> By: Rob Cubbon http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-69351 Rob Cubbon Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:34:17 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-69351 Hello <strong>avelino</strong>, Adobe Streamline isn't being supported anymore, you need Adobe Illustrator CS2 or CS3. Hello <strong>Adobe Flex Training</strong>, I'm always using Illustrator either for web or print design. Hello <strong>Adriana</strong>, it's a pleasure from England! Hello <strong>Patrick</strong>, I agree it's a hugely powerful feature of Illustrator and very helpful when doing general designing. Hello avelino, Adobe Streamline isn’t being supported anymore, you need Adobe Illustrator CS2 or CS3.

Hello Adobe Flex Training, I’m always using Illustrator either for web or print design.

Hello Adriana, it’s a pleasure from England!

Hello Patrick, I agree it’s a hugely powerful feature of Illustrator and very helpful when doing general designing.

]]> By: Patrick http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-68542 Patrick Sat, 21 Mar 2009 01:12:53 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-68542 Hi all! That feature of adobe illustrator is so simple but yet so powerful. It's easy when you have managed to learn it, this tutorial is another must learn for illustrator newbies Hi all!

That feature of adobe illustrator is so simple but yet so powerful. It’s easy when you have managed to learn it, this tutorial is another must learn for illustrator newbies

]]> By: Adriana http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-63197 Adriana Sun, 08 Feb 2009 22:50:22 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-63197 Thanks from Argentina!! Thanks from Argentina!!

]]> By: Adobe Flex Training http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-52082 Adobe Flex Training Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:34:21 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-52082 Very good breakdown of how to use illustrator. I find it to be a great program with a lot of possibilities to work it. Very good breakdown of how to use illustrator. I find it to be a great program with a lot of possibilities to work it.

]]> By: avelino http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-51492 avelino Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:09:10 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-51492 I'm trying to download the adobe streamline, but I still did'nt succeed. I do my arts jobs in a Mac (mini Mac), and I think it is not compatible with it. In my older machine, an G3 (also Mac) I had no problems to work with. Does anybody know what is happening and how I could handle it to have my streamline back? thanks I’m trying to download the adobe streamline, but I still did’nt succeed. I do my arts
jobs in a Mac (mini Mac), and I think it is not compatible with it. In my older machine, an G3 (also Mac) I had no problems to work with.
Does anybody know what is happening and how I could handle it to have my streamline back?
thanks

]]> By: Rob Cubbon http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-47710 Rob Cubbon Sat, 25 Oct 2008 17:53:05 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-47710 Hi Ben, I'm more of a marketer and designer than anything. Not a photographer but I do take a lot of photos and that will be my advice to you. I'm not sure about cameras but I do like a large margin of zoom in focal length (if that's the right terminology!) Hope this helps. Hi Ben, I’m more of a marketer and designer than anything. Not a photographer but I do take a lot of photos and that will be my advice to you. I’m not sure about cameras but I do like a large margin of zoom in focal length (if that’s the right terminology!) Hope this helps.

]]> By: Ben http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-43390 Ben Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:48:43 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-43390 Hi, I was looking for pictures of Big Ben when i came across your Photo and Illustration of Big Ben, I was just wondering wether you were a Photographer by trade or an Illustrater or possibly both? I have chosen Photography - Art in College and wondered if you could give me any good tips for use of Photography, what camera i might be best going for and any other general tips. Any feed back would be much appreciated. Hi, I was looking for pictures of Big Ben when i came across your Photo and Illustration of Big Ben, I was just wondering wether you were a Photographer by trade or an Illustrater or possibly both?

I have chosen Photography – Art in College and wondered if you could give me any good tips for use of Photography, what camera i might be best going for and any other general tips.

Any feed back would be much appreciated.

]]> By: Rob Cubbon http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-34175 Rob Cubbon Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:36:57 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-34175 Hi Blog Design Studio, I'm delighted, as always, that someone has decided to subscribe to my blog. Yes, hopefully there will be more handy design and marketing hints to come. One about Powerpoint presentations to come! Thank you, SEO Next, I can't believe that this method is so useful and so easy. Don't forget that vector illustrations are completely scalable - they can be reproduced at any size without any loss of detail! Hi Blog Design Studio, I’m delighted, as always, that someone has decided to subscribe to my blog. Yes, hopefully there will be more handy design and marketing hints to come. One about Powerpoint presentations to come!
Thank you, SEO Next, I can’t believe that this method is so useful and so easy. Don’t forget that vector illustrations are completely scalable – they can be reproduced at any size without any loss of detail!

]]> By: SEO Next http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-34068 SEO Next Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:14:23 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-34068 Nice entry Rob Your idea is simple and fantastic. It makes an image look more dynamic and unique as compared to any other photograph. Looking forward to read some more beneficial tips here. Nice entry Rob
Your idea is simple and fantastic. It makes an image look more dynamic and unique as compared to any other photograph. Looking forward to read some more beneficial tips here.

]]> By: Blog Design Studio http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-33502 Blog Design Studio Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:13:32 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-33502 Ah! that's a neat trick! It's fast and I'm sure this will help in increasing the use of these kind of illustrations in blog posts too. You have very nice tutorials. Subscribed to your blog Ah! that’s a neat trick! It’s fast and I’m sure this will help in increasing the use of these kind of illustrations in blog posts too.

You have very nice tutorials. Subscribed to your blog

]]> By: Stock Photos that Rock, 9 Reasons to Love iStockphoto | be awesome instead http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-33191 Stock Photos that Rock, 9 Reasons to Love iStockphoto | be awesome instead Sun, 07 Sep 2008 03:08:33 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-33191 [...] sometimes a need for an illustration. And incidentally, after reading after reading this post from robcutton on “How to Turn a Photo into an Illustration” …I may be trying to use a few more illustrations…great article by the way. Thanks [...] [...] sometimes a need for an illustration. And incidentally, after reading after reading this post from robcutton on “How to Turn a Photo into an Illustration” …I may be trying to use a few more illustrations…great article by the way. Thanks [...]

]]> By: Freelance Graphic Designer London | Using vector illustrations in designs to deliver your message http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-30665 Freelance Graphic Designer London | Using vector illustrations in designs to deliver your message Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:37:55 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-30665 [...] These characters can be made easily in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. You may find it easier to do an image search and trace over. Or you can use Illustrator’s Live Trace tool. [...] [...] These characters can be made easily in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. You may find it easier to do an image search and trace over. Or you can use Illustrator’s Live Trace tool. [...]

]]> By: Rob Cubbon http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-30167 Rob Cubbon Sat, 09 Aug 2008 08:52:24 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-30167 Thank you, lhtd, I'm glad I've saved you some time. Hello, Dan, I think it depends on what you are using the effect for. It's very useful if you want a simple vector outline for example. Cheers! Thank you, lhtd, I’m glad I’ve saved you some time.

Hello, Dan, I think it depends on what you are using the effect for. It’s very useful if you want a simple vector outline for example. Cheers!

]]> By: Photo-tips Dan http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-29910 Photo-tips Dan Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:00:48 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-29910 Interesting. Similar functions in Photoshop also, although I haven't really used them. I have to admit I agree with previous comments that this posterizing effect done by some editing program tends to be rather crude, and not very appealing IMHO. Photo-tips Dans last blog post..<a href="http://www.a1phototips.com/fill-the-frame-get-close" rel="nofollow">Fill the Frame - Get Close!</a> Interesting. Similar functions in Photoshop also, although I haven’t really used them.
I have to admit I agree with previous comments that this posterizing effect done by some editing program tends to be rather crude, and not very appealing IMHO.

Photo-tips Dans last blog post..Fill the Frame – Get Close!

]]> By: learn how to draw http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-28063 learn how to draw Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:45:26 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-28063 thanks for the info, i am creating a few t-shirt designs and was wondering how to create this effect, you just saved me a ton of time! thanks for the info, i am creating a few t-shirt designs and was wondering how to create this effect, you just saved me a ton of time!

]]> By: American flag inside country map outline | Freelance Graphic Designer London http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-25416 American flag inside country map outline | Freelance Graphic Designer London Fri, 23 May 2008 14:56:04 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-25416 [...] of the USA and a picture of the stars and stripes. I turned the country outline into vector form by using Adobe Illustrator’s Live Trace. The flag I re-created manually in [...] [...] of the USA and a picture of the stars and stripes. I turned the country outline into vector form by using Adobe Illustrator’s Live Trace. The flag I re-created manually in [...]

]]> By: Rob Cubbon http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-22400 Rob Cubbon Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:11:24 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-22400 Give it a go, Jonathan, it's easy! Give it a go, Jonathan, it’s easy!

]]> By: Jonathan http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-22374 Jonathan Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:00:32 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-22374 Nice Tip. I will check my illustrator, lets see if its easy for me. I should have come across this blog earlier, anyways am still glad I atleast found it now. Jonathan, <a href="http://www.drukhost.com" rel="nofollow">bhutan web hosting</a> Nice Tip.
I will check my illustrator, lets see if its easy for me.
I should have come across this blog earlier, anyways am still glad I atleast found it now.

Jonathan,
bhutan web hosting

]]> By: Rob Cubbon http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-20325 Rob Cubbon Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:14:46 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-20325 Thank you, Awesomeness, I'm sure they'll be lots of stuff of use to find here. And I'll always welcome a link. Cheers! Thank you, Awesomeness, I’m sure they’ll be lots of stuff of use to find here. And I’ll always welcome a link. Cheers!

]]> By: Awesomeness http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-20277 Awesomeness Mon, 25 Feb 2008 04:06:30 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-20277 Excellent tutorial Rob. I am always looking for good design blogs. You have another RSS reader now and probably a link in an upcoming article. Continue to Be Awesome. Excellent tutorial Rob. I am always looking for good design blogs. You have another RSS reader now and probably a link in an upcoming article.

Continue to Be Awesome.

]]> By: Rob Cubbon http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-18015 Rob Cubbon Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:39:42 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-18015 Thank you for your comments, Miss Lingerie and Marilyn. I can do the drawing of Marilyn to a certain size and colour scheme in return for a link, if you want. Thank you for your comments, Miss Lingerie and Marilyn. I can do the drawing of Marilyn to a certain size and colour scheme in return for a link, if you want.

]]> By: Marilyn http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-17993 Marilyn Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:13:09 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-17993 Both the photo and the drawing of Marilyn were excellent. Both the photo and the drawing of Marilyn were excellent.

]]> By: Miss Lingerie http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-11848 Miss Lingerie Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:19:42 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-11848 fantastic..have gain some ideas after reading your blog...thx for sharing your exp... fantastic..have gain some ideas after reading your blog…thx for sharing your exp…

]]> By: Rob Cubbon http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-9753 Rob Cubbon Sat, 25 Aug 2007 17:23:21 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-9753 @Blogging Mix. Your site looks very interesting too. I shall check it out soon. Thank you! Matthias Guenther from Quark in Hamburg who is a regular visitor to this site has pointed out that these effects can be achieved in Quark through their Picture Effects palette. Of course the tool is not as powerful as Illustrator’s and it doesn't convert to vector but for a quick effect it is a fast and easy thing to do. Have a look at the example he sent me. <img src="http://www.robcubbon.com/images/quark-poster.jpg" title="Quark's posterising image effects" alt="Quark's posterising image effects/><br clear="left" /> @Blogging Mix. Your site looks very interesting too. I shall check it out soon. Thank you!

Matthias Guenther from Quark in Hamburg who is a regular visitor to this site has pointed out that these effects can be achieved in Quark through their Picture Effects palette. Of course the tool is not as powerful as Illustrator’s and it doesn’t convert to vector but for a quick effect it is a fast and easy thing to do.

Have a look at the example he sent me.

Quark's posterising image effects/><br clear=

]]> By: Blogging Mix http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-9750 Blogging Mix Sat, 25 Aug 2007 16:11:43 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-9750 Very interesting blog. I like your simple and practical tutorials. Cheer! Very interesting blog. I like your simple and practical tutorials. Cheer!

]]> By: Rob Cubbon http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-9685 Rob Cubbon Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:42:43 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-9685 Best of luck in your new job, Michael. Artworking does improve your design eye, I believe. You make another good point about filter-abuse. I'm sure the visitors to this website would love to read more of your opinions! Best of luck in your new job, Michael. Artworking does improve your design eye, I believe. You make another good point about filter-abuse. I’m sure the visitors to this website would love to read more of your opinions!

]]> By: Michael http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-9634 Michael Wed, 22 Aug 2007 09:08:00 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-9634 I did happen to see see that post, yes, as well as the one where you're asking for portfolios. I love nothing more than to see expert design (layout/type/logo) coupled with beautiful illustrations. I'm trying to get a job as an artworker now, and I almost feel like the illustrator pretending to be a designer, and as if I'M using tricks like these just to get by, hah. To be fair though, I was trained to be a designer, so likely I wont do all *that bad. Thanks for the suggestion, by the way. Maybe I will write up a little article about this, it's an interesting topic. It's great that we have the technology, automated vectorisation is wonderful, it just gives the same 'power' to people that photoshop filters do. And I love filters as well, it's just that when a work smacks of filter-abuse, it's rarely any good :D Now i'm off to my prospective 'workplace' for a trial-week. That is, if the shutters aren't drawn again, as they were yesterday when I was supposed to start. Not a good sign, that. I did happen to see see that post, yes, as well as the one where you’re asking for portfolios. I love nothing more than to see expert design (layout/type/logo) coupled with beautiful illustrations. I’m trying to get a job as an artworker now, and I almost feel like the illustrator pretending to be a designer, and as if I’M using tricks like these just to get by, hah. To be fair though, I was trained to be a designer, so likely I wont do all *that bad.
Thanks for the suggestion, by the way. Maybe I will write up a little article about this, it’s an interesting topic. It’s great that we have the technology, automated vectorisation is wonderful, it just gives the same ‘power’ to people that photoshop filters do. And I love filters as well, it’s just that when a work smacks of filter-abuse, it’s rarely any good :D

Now i’m off to my prospective ‘workplace’ for a trial-week. That is, if the shutters aren’t drawn again, as they were yesterday when I was supposed to start. Not a good sign, that.

]]> By: Rob Cubbon http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-9602 Rob Cubbon Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:54:43 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-9602 Hello Michael, I understand exactly what you mean. I really should have titled this post "How to use Live Trace in Adobe Illustrator CS2 & CS3" but I didn't because I thought the above title would better satisfy my traffic greed! Did you see my post about <a href="http://robcubbon.com/using-illustrators-to-help-with-designs/" rel="nofollow">using illustrators to help with designs</a> where I showcase some work of an illustrator, Rory Walker, I've used? I included 2 illustrations of his, both I could never have done on the computer, or even come close to. There's a contact of an illustrators' agent there, if you're interested. Basically, you've got a very good point about lacklustre illustrations. It's the other side of the DTP coin that gave us the greater and more democratic scope for creativity. I agree with you that an illustration should produce something you couldn't achieve with a photo. In defense of the above technique - This can be used as just one technique within others to manipulate imagery to create something unique and creative. Also, it can be a quick fix way of getting a vector (an outline of Australia, for example) without incurring any financial or time cost. You certainly don't seem offensive! This is just the sort of comment I love because as you say it get discussion going. Also, Michael, if you'd like to write a little piece on this or anything else, you could publish it here with some of your samples. Just a thought! Hello Michael,

I understand exactly what you mean. I really should have titled this post “How to use Live Trace in Adobe Illustrator CS2 & CS3″ but I didn’t because I thought the above title would better satisfy my traffic greed!

Did you see my post about using illustrators to help with designs where I showcase some work of an illustrator, Rory Walker, I’ve used? I included 2 illustrations of his, both I could never have done on the computer, or even come close to. There’s a contact of an illustrators’ agent there, if you’re interested.

Basically, you’ve got a very good point about lacklustre illustrations. It’s the other side of the DTP coin that gave us the greater and more democratic scope for creativity. I agree with you that an illustration should produce something you couldn’t achieve with a photo.

In defense of the above technique – This can be used as just one technique within others to manipulate imagery to create something unique and creative. Also, it can be a quick fix way of getting a vector (an outline of Australia, for example) without incurring any financial or time cost.

You certainly don’t seem offensive! This is just the sort of comment I love because as you say it get discussion going.

Also, Michael, if you’d like to write a little piece on this or anything else, you could publish it here with some of your samples. Just a thought!

]]> By: Michael http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-9580 Michael Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:03:01 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-9580 I just realised this was also partly in response to another post in which you stated that this could be an easy way to get around hiring an illustrator. See, i just feel threatened, haha. I just realised this was also partly in response to another post in which you stated that this could be an easy way to get around hiring an illustrator. See, i just feel threatened, haha.

]]> By: Michael http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-9579 Michael Mon, 20 Aug 2007 20:58:47 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-9579 This is likely a view that stems from me being an illustrator, but feel like this mentality is behind a lot of the lackluster illustrations and even logos in a lot of publications. While i'm not averse to photo-reference being used, or even using photos as part of the illustration, photos aren't illustrations, and just throwing a few filter-driven modifications at it wont change that fact. It seems to me like a case of 'stick to what you excel at'. Much as design, this is something that takes a lot of time to get right, and every time I see a designer cutting corners like this, I can't help but think of the great illustration that could've accompanied the lovely design. It's something that i can see being used as one step in a time-saving process, but not the first and last step. And I apologise if this seems offensive, it's mostly meant as a way to get a discussion going, and certainly not as a stab at your work. I love reading your blog, it's indispensable for someone just trying to get into professional design. I'd love to hear what you think about it, so, what do you think? This is likely a view that stems from me being an illustrator, but feel like this mentality is behind a lot of the lackluster illustrations and even logos in a lot of publications. While i’m not averse to photo-reference being used, or even using photos as part of the illustration, photos aren’t illustrations, and just throwing a few filter-driven modifications at it wont change that fact. It seems to me like a case of ’stick to what you excel at’. Much as design, this is something that takes a lot of time to get right, and every time I see a designer cutting corners like this, I can’t help but think of the great illustration that could’ve accompanied the lovely design. It’s something that i can see being used as one step in a time-saving process, but not the first and last step.

And I apologise if this seems offensive, it’s mostly meant as a way to get a discussion going, and certainly not as a stab at your work. I love reading your blog, it’s indispensable for someone just trying to get into professional design.
I’d love to hear what you think about it, so, what do you think?

]]> By: Rob Cubbon http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-9536 Rob Cubbon Sun, 19 Aug 2007 15:49:15 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-9536 I'm glad you enjoyed it, Kianna. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Kianna.

]]> By: Kianna http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/comment-page-1#comment-9518 Kianna Sun, 19 Aug 2007 00:03:25 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/how-to-turn-a-photo-into-an-illustration/#comment-9518 hi i enjoyed the read hi i enjoyed the read

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