Adobe Illustrator CC Tutorial using Pen Tool

Adobe Illustrator CC Tutorial using the pen tool along with our anchor point guides.

In this beginner Adobe Illustrator CC pen tool tutorial we will be going through a simple process of inking and coloring using live paint. We will also add shadows and halftone effects. In this easy to follow tutorial we will be going through our resource anchor point guide to build our character and practice using the the pen tool with our direct selection tools.

Anchor Point Guides

Anchor point guides are designed to make life easier as you are learning where to place anchors while using the pen tool and how to adjust handles using the direct selection tool.

Using Pen Tool

We will be using our 2 step approach to using the pen tool. The first is using straight lines to just get down our anchor points. We will then be using the convert anchor tool to create curves and handles.

Color & Shadows

Using live paint and the knife tool are fast ways of getting down flat color and shadows without having to use pathfinder to new create shapes.

Inking using the Pen Tool

Using Resource Folder

1. Place the anchor point guide into NEW illustrator document and scale to fit the 5″x 5″ artboard. In your layers menu select Template Layer. Create a New layer ABOVE IT for inking.

Using the Pen Tool

2. Trace the image using the shape and pen tool. There should be no fill when using the pen tool. Use straight line and the convert anchor point tool to create your curves.

Custom Brushes

3. Add OUR custom brushes library to create variation in your lines. Expand the lines and use the eraser tool to erase overlapping or unwanted lines. Unite brushes in pathfinder panel.

Using Live Paint

4. Select All – Object- Live Paint. Fill in flat colors wIth our color palette or find others on https://color.adobe.com Object – Expand live paint. Ungroup (3X) or until you can select individual shapes.