Henry Has
The Pen tool is the most basic essential tool used to create vector graphics. With it we can draw smooth, precise lines, Bézier curves, and complex shapes. We can transform rough, tentative sketches into flowing vector contours. The great thing about vector images is that they won’t lose resolution or quality no matter at what size they are printed. The Pen tool is a tool used in both Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator and various other bitmap and vector graphics programs.
Most digital artists begin by using ‘Brush tool’ or ‘Pencil tool’ in their graphics programs. These tools are fairly intuitive, their function is very similar to using brushes and pencils in the real world. However, the ‘Pen tool’ is different in that is uses anchor points to create an exact path. The path is reshaped, not by erasing, but by manipulating these anchor points.
It can be difficult at the start, learning how to draw a series of lines and curves, when to click the mouse button once, or twice, or where to drag to create a curve segment. But with a bit of practice, you will learn to love the Pen tool, and never look back. I have compiled a list of tutorials that are great for honing in your skills using the ‘Pen tool’.
The following tutorials go from the basics to beginner to advanced. Some of the final images may not be what you are aiming at. But you will find that the principles, commands, and actions are indispensable for you in you journey to master the valuable ‘Pen Tool’.
Photoshop’s Pen Tool: The Comprehensive Guide, tutorial by Ian Yates
Illustrator’s Pen Tool: The Comprehensive Guide, tutorial by Ian Yates
Essentials of the Pen and Pencil Tools, from AdobeTV
Adobe Illustrator Pen Tool Tutorial by Harry Hamernik
http://vimeo.com/6874824
Practicing With the Pen Tool, tutorial by Elias Sarantopoulos
Pen Tool tutorial by Aaron Spencer
Master the Pen Tool Under 30 Minutes, tutorial by Simon Hubbert
Make a Mailbox Icon, tutorial by Iaroslav Lazunov
Create a Colorful Cake Illustration in Photoshop, tutorial by Miriam Moshinsky
How to Create an Elegant, Vector Pen in Illustrator, tutorial by Ali
How To Create A Cute Snail, tutorial by Iaroslav Lazunov
Drawing a City Portrait Using Adobe Illustrator, tutorial by Mokhtaar Faqeeh
Create A Ladybird in Illustrator, tutorial by Ilie Ciorba
Modeling the Human Face, tutorial by Iaroslav Lazunov
Craft a Vector Collegiate Notebook Design, tutorial by Jonathan
Create a Corn Cob in Illustrator, tutorial by Jasmina Stanojevic
How to Create a Cool Monkey Character, tutorial by Callum Chapman
How to Create an Eagle Head Sticker, tutorial by Simona Pfreundner
How to Create a Rocketing, Vector Aircraft Shuttle, tutorial by Ferry Ickhwano
Create a Creamy Ice Cream Poster on Illustrator, tutorial by Marcos Torres
Create Retro Graphics in Illustrator, by Ryan Brinkerhoff
How To Create A Colorful Parrot, tutorial by Vanessa Colina
Create a Kaleidoscopic Effect, tutorial by Martin Sati
How to Create a Zodiac-Themed Portrait in Adobe Illustrator CS5, tutorial by Sharon Milne
Layer Up Vectors For Unique Effects, tutorial by Tom Mac
An Illustrator’s Project: From Start to Finish, tutorial by Zena Santos
Create a Badass Hip Hop Character in Illustrator, tutorial by Marcos Torres
How to Create a Punk Nouveau Mermaid in Adobe Illustrator, tutorial by Asher Benson
