Vector Art Attempt

[DrewCCU]

My first attempt at using Illustrator and vectors ... it needs work, I know, but ...  I thought doing this wouldn't be so time consuming but it definitely was. I guess I have to contribute most of that to, like I said, my first time messing with Illustrator CS5. 

[Ghost]

This is just my opinion, but in direct comparison to your Digital Art version, this one looks much less "personal".
It's good; the lines are clean and I wouldn't mind having it as a talk view in a game, but it looks more generic. Still quite impressive for a first attempt. Vectors can be tricky

[cat]

Vector art usually uses clean, straight outlines and areas of different color for shading and stucture. Your linework looks like you drew the lines with some kind of pen tool (i'm not familiar with Illustrator) but usually you will either smooth (simplify) them afterwards or draw it handle by handle. The crinkles on the shirt for example I wouldn't do with black lines at all but use a darker yellow.

Here are some good tutorials (she uses the path tool of PS but that's vectors too):
http://www.melissaevans.com/tutorials/vector-art-with-photoshop
http://www.melissaevans.com/tutorials/turn-photos-of-people-into-line-art

[InCreator]

You lost eyebrow shape in vectoring proccess. Otherwise, it's pretty recongizable.

[DrewCCU]

Vector art usually uses clean, straight outlines and areas of different color for shading and stucture. Your linework looks like you drew the lines with some kind of pen tool (i'm not familiar with Illustrator) but usually you will either smooth (simplify) them afterwards or draw it handle by handle. The crinkles on the shirt for example I wouldn't do with black lines at all but use a darker yellow.

Here are some good tutorials (she uses the path tool of PS but that's vectors too):
http://www.melissaevans.com/tutorials/vector-art-with-photoshop
http://www.melissaevans.com/tutorials/turn-photos-of-people-into-line-art

that's not exactly what vector art is. You can NOT make Vectors in photoshop - it's not possible. You can make cartoon-looking art or comic-book style art ... many people call this look vector but in reality vector is a type of file ... it never loses quality no matter the size you make it because it's not pixel based (crazy, I know!).

[Snarky]

Actually, Photoshop does have vector tools (such as the pen tool used in the tutorials linked), though it's much less suited to do vector work than a dedicated application like Illustrator or Inkscape. Vectors are not a file format, but a particular kind of object that is mathematically defined, and allows you to define infinitely smooth curves.

[DrewCCU]

Actually, Photoshop does have vector tools (such as the pen tool used in the tutorials linked), though it's much less suited to do vector work than a dedicated application like Illustrator or Inkscape. Vectors are not a file format, but a particular kind of object that is mathematically defined, and allows you to define infinitely smooth curves.

I stand corrected. 

[Tuomas]

I like the one on the left better, you should keep that style.

[cat]

Exactly, Snarky. One thing is the tool, the other the technique. I, for example, use Inkscape for vector drawings. The important part is that you get familiar with this completely different kind of drawing, namely working with vector handles instead of free drawing. That's why I linked you those two tutorials for portraits.
For a more basic approach on vector art in general I recommend this collection of tutorials http://inkscapetutorials.wordpress.com/suggest-a-tutorial/tutorial-list/ and there especially this one http://kalaalog.com/2008/01/13/how-to-illustrate-an-ornate-pitcher/ because it uses many of the basic techniques. I'm sure if you google for it you will also find tons of tutorials for Illustrator.

[DrewCCU]

Exactly, Snarky. One thing is the tool, the other the technique. I, for example, use Inkscape for vector drawings. The important part is that you get familiar with this completely different kind of drawing, namely working with vector handles instead of free drawing. That's why I linked you those two tutorials for portraits.
For a more basic approach on vector art in general I recommend this collection of tutorials http://inkscapetutorials.wordpress.com/suggest-a-tutorial/tutorial-list/ and there especially this one http://kalaalog.com/2008/01/13/how-to-illustrate-an-ornate-pitcher/ because it uses many of the basic techniques. I'm sure if you google for it you will also find tons of tutorials for Illustrator.

I'm very familiar with how to search for tutorials. Thanks for all of your guys input. I have spent much of the day playing around and practicing in this style of art. I think I have developed a style I'm happy with ... here is another sample that was done by free hand drawing using Illustrator:



Anyway, just thought I'd share with you guys.