Why not make cartoon characters of yourself if you don’t feel comfortable using real images to portray yourself in online profiles and avatars? When you portray yourself in your online profiles in a cartoonized manner, it will undoubtedly be entertaining and unique to others.

Creating an online profile or avatar can be intimidating, so if you’re not sure how to portray yourself online, make a fun caricature instead. Feel free to experiment with this basic tutorial on how to cartoon yourself.

 

Getting started

This technique can be used on any picture and applied to any subject. However, we believe it is better if the subject is well known or isolated, particularly for your first attempt, so that you can outline it more easily. Preferably use a picture that is not too cluttered. So, once you’ve decided on a picture, bring it into Photoshop.

Outline the subject

The Pen tool will be used to trace your subject. The way it works is that each click creates an anchor point. A straight line then links the points. Carry on in this manner all around the topic.

Shift the Pen tool to the Convert Point Tool by keeping down on the Pen before the drop-down menu appears.

You can curve the straight lines with the Convert Point to match the silhouette better. Simply select the anchor point and begin dragging it. Every anchor point will have two handles, one for controlling the line in each direction of the anchor and the other for controlling the line in the opposite direction.

This will help you achieve a cleaner silhouette while eliminating the bumps that would occur if you just traced by inserting anchor points.

Create your outline

Build a new layer after you’ve outlined the subject’s silhouette. You can do this by selecting Layer > New Layer from the top menu. Since you’ll be adding more layers later, you can rename it “silhouette” or “outline” to keep things tidy.

Next, you’ll transform this path into a painting, or more specifically, the line that surrounds your drawing. As a result, you have the option of selecting the color and thickness. To do so, go to the Brush tool and choose a hard brush that is as thick as you like. You can try using 8px.

You can also select the color by clicking on the foreground color at the bottom of the tool palette. To see how it will look, turn off the background layer, remember to click the little eye icon, and adjust your settings.

Now that you’ve completed this go to the path palette while keeping the new layer active. If it’s already open, go to the top Menu > Windows > Path to open it. A Work Path has been developed, and the icon will display the picture as a grey rectangle, with the path being the silhouette you traced.

After that, right-click on the Work Path and choose Stroke Path from the drop-down menu. A pop-up window will appear; check that Brush is selected, and then click OK.

Adding details

You’ve got a border or a silhouette, but you’re missing some information. Each one will have its own layer and direction, allowing you to keep it separate and manage it more precisely. Keep working in the same layer if you want two specifics on the same layer, for example, to keep the two ears in one layer so that all adjustments apply equally. However, you must build a new route with each one.

Other tricks

You can also multiply your cartoons, use changing layers to alter the color or saturation, and do whatever else comes to mind! And the best part is that you can do it with any type of photo; here are some more examples; please share yours in the comments!

Are you up for this guide to help you turn your photo to cartoon? If you are still having a hard time and just want to let someone do it for you, you can send it to caricature makers who will surely give the best results. You will not have to worry about doing it and edit it again if you think it looks bad as you have professionals who can do it for you. 

You can try TheCartoonist.Me, they offer services such as cartoon yourself, couple cartoon, cartoon logo, and more. Just send your photo and your instructions, and they will send it back to you within the day.