How to Convert a JPEG Image Into a Vector Graphic in Adobe Illustrator

Easy way to convert your photograph into a vector graphic using the pen, gradient and eyedropper tools.
Here is a link to JPEG image I used in this video https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-bzSxrDlgKSTnJWQ2Z1b0NBdXc/view?usp=sharing

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Closed Caption:

hello today i'm going to show you how to
convert a JPEG image into a vector
graphic
let's make a new document said the world
to 1280 pixels and the height
- 8:20 pixels click OK for this project
you can use any jpg image you have
i'm going to use a photo of the leaf I
took if you would like to use the same
photo
feel free to download this file I
included a link to it in the description
below
after you download this file go to file
select place
locate your file and click place
now click somewhere here and your image
should fit into this document
first we'll create custom color swatches
to do that
select the rectangle tool now get rid of
this stroke and draw a small square
next select the eyedropper tool or press
the letter I on your keyboard and we'll
get our first color sample
now let's duplicate this Square and good
another simple and let's get a few more
samples
when you are done select all these
squares open the swatches panel and
select a new color group icon name it
whatever you like and click ok now you
should see your custom swatches in the
swatches panel
let's do this these squares we want to
need them anymore
next we'll trace the outline of our leaf
first let's lock this layer and create a
new layer
now let's get rid of the fill and change
the stroke too bright blue
let's zoom in on our leaf and we'll
start tracing the outline sense
select the pen tool and we'll start from
this point you can move the artboard any
time during tracing just press and hold
the space / and move your mouse
let's start here click click and drag
click and drag and keep tracing the
outline of the leaf until you come to
the beginning . i'm going to speed up
this video but you can take as much time
as you need
you should be familiar with using the
pen - if you would like to learn more
about it please check out my other
videos
let's zoom out turn off the visibility
of the bottom layer and here is our
traced image
next we'll add a grading to it
let's get rid of the stroke go to window
and select gradient next open the
swatches panel and we'll use our custom
swatches to create a gradient
just click on the color swatch hold and
register degrading slider
let's delete the whites work now change
the type to radio press the letter gene
to show the grading slide on the art
bolt and adjust the gradient now turn on
the visibility of layer 1 turn off the
visibility of layer 2 and let's make a
new layer
next we'll add veins to our leaf to do
that will create a custom brush
let's change the filter dark yellow
now select the ellipse tool and draw a
long and narrow ellipse next open the
brushes panel and drag it here to make a
new brush
select the art brush click OK
ok again now click on the new brush to
select it close the window and delete
this brush
next press the letter B for the brush
tool and start painting the saints
now turn on the visibility of layer to
select the layer 3 go to transparency
window and turn the opacity to fifty
percent
thanks for watching bye bye