Whether you're a designer building assets for a client or a creator wanting a unique profile picture, at some point you've wondered: how do I turn this photo into an illustration?

There are more options than ever. Here's an honest ranking of every method available today.

Method 1 — AI image converter (fastest)

Tools like Illustra use AI models trained on millions of illustrations to transform your photo into artwork that genuinely looks hand-crafted. The process: upload, pick a style, download. Total time: under 60 seconds.

Best for: Designers who need production-ready assets fast Output quality: High — especially for defined styles like anime and flat design Cost: Free to start, paid plans from ~$12/month Downsides: Less control over fine details than manual methods

Method 2 — Adobe Photoshop filters

Photoshop has had illustration-style filters for years — Oil Paint, Watercolor, Cutout, and the more recent Neural Filters. They work, but the results often look like what they are: a filter applied to a photo rather than a genuine illustration.

Best for: Existing Photoshop users who want a quick tweak Output quality: Medium — recognisably filtered rather than illustrated Cost: Included in Adobe CC subscription (~$55/month) Downsides: Steep learning curve for non-designers, results can look artificial