You can use similar techniques to create not only an icon but an illustration.... Pretty simple and straightforward...
http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/interface-tutorials/how-to-create-a-van-icon-in-photoshop/
Cheers
Ken
http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/interface-tutorials/how-to-create-a-van-icon-in-photoshop/
Cheers
Ken