In this tutorial, I will show you how to do a basic vector. This is the original image I will be using. I am doing it in Photoshop, however, most of the steps are identical to those you would take in Illustrate to trace this image. This is a great tutorial to get you to understand the pen tool.

First, paste the original image in photoshop and duplicate it. Make the top layer 25% opacity. Keep this layer on top while you vector. This will enable you to see what you are vectoring even if your fill covers the bottom layer.

First layer you do, cover the base of the object with the pen tool. Try to get lots of points in where there is detail, but only a 3 or 4 on each curve. Initially, I generally do not use the rubber band option (when you pull on a point and it creates curves.) I add it after I have the whole base covered.

Now I start to smooth it out with the “Convert Point tool”. If you cant see it, hold down on the pen tool and it should pop up in a drop down.

You can see here that curves do not need as many dots, because you can bend the points with the rubber band.

Bending the rubber bands may seem erratic and random at first, but the more you use them the more you have control over them. Remember to bend the middle point to create a half circle. Bending the middle point for any sort of curve should become a habit. If you do it the incorrect way, the next point you make will be skewed. The correct way will let you put the next point anywhere you want, without weird curves. Do it correctly and you have more control over the bending.

Pay close attention to how you bend the points, so it looks like the original picture. Rounded smooth vectors look the best.

This is my final base.

Using the same technique, with the transparent layer on top, I add some detail to the object.

You can add whatever detail you wish, but focus on intricate designs but not random details. Adding highlights and shadows helps create depth.

Some people prefer having all vectors of the same color on the same layer, if you want to do this you can click “Add to Shape area (+)” at the top. I prefer having them on separate layers so I can easily remove parts or edit small details.

The amount of detail you use is your choice. More detail takes more time, but does not always look better. Vectors are great for logos. You can make them smaller and larger for any application.

Keywords: Adobe Photoshop, simple, easy, fast, logo, symbol.