How to make different shapes on an image with the pen tool in illustrator to colour each part

[Kloppel]

Hi I have used the pen tool on an image to make the shape of a flamingo in illustrator. But I would like to be able to colour each part of the flamingo seperately in the end so I have to make the feather, head, feet, eyes on the flamingo to be drawn with the pen tool to seperate parts I assume. But how do I do that best and easiest an still make correct overlap on the shape I already made of the flamingo. (hope it make sense) see attached files I have tried to show what i mean by using the pen tool on the second picture to draw seperate parts of the flamingo but it doesnt quite do it even when not doing it fast like her it still gets over the lines of the shape and I guess ther must be an easier way by just make a few simple lines and the make seperate shapes out of that afterwards?

Hope anyone can help me

Kind reagards 🙂 

[kglad]

in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post if it helps you get responses.

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[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

You can go different routes here.

1. Draw open paths that separate the single areas and then use Live paint to color it. https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/live-paint-groups.html 

2. Draw them as shapes as precise as you need. They can overlap, which is no problem, because the top shape is what counts and will get printed. You can also use the already existing shape and apply it as a clipping mask to cut everything off along the edges and to have a single stroke outlining everything else. https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/clipping-masks.html 

[Met1]

You could use Image Trace and play with the Advance settings to increase or decrease the amount of detail...