Pen Tool Basics
Hardest Tool for Beginning Illustrators
Designers and Illustrators have many tools and programs at their disposal to assist them in their creations. Some are easier to learn and master than others but there’s an overall consensus on which tool is the hardest. The Pen Tool is a love it or hate it type of tool that can prove to be difficult for beginner Designers and Illustrators.
The Basics
The one thing to keep in mind: The only way to master any skill is to practice. The Pen Tool can be conquered in stages, starting with the basics. What is the Pen Tool good for? Well, it can be used to create anyhting with a few inputs, it is the ultimate customization tool. There are two simple “gesture inputs” when it comes to this tool, click or click-and-drag (for iPad or Cintiq users its tap or tap-and-drag). Think of this as a connect-the-dots game.
A click of the mouse, or tap of a stylus, creates an endpoint. A mouse click-and-drag, tap-and-drag with a stylus, creates a flexible endpoint with two handles on each end. These two inputs can create anything. This is where the fun begins, placing endpoints to make a unique shape. Remember that connect-the-dots game? That is all we are doing with the Pen Tool, except instead of having the dots laid out already, we are creating them as we go.
A click (or tap) of the mouse, places an endpoint on the artboard. Placing a second endpoint on the artboard with another click (or tap) of the mouse, creates a path connecting the two points. It’s almost like magic how the path appears instantly. Again, the goal is to create unique custom shapes. It’s like drawing but with points instead of lines.
Creating Shapes and Beyond
No need to overcomplicate this tool that can create anything. Think of it this way, you have a pen in your hand but instead of drawing a straight line, you draw a series of points. The “line” or path appears in between the points, connecting them to each other. The more points that are placed will end up, eventually, into a shape…or just a mess of points and lines. Either way, the goal is to create custom shapes which are made of points and lines that are completely editable. These fully editable shapes and paths are known as Vector.
Vectored shapes can change as much as the Illustrator wants them to by moving the aforementioned points around the artboard to change how the shape looks. There’s no limit to the shapes that can be created with the Pen Tool, the only limit is the Illustrators’ imagination. These shapes can be as complex or as simple as one wants depending on the art piece and the number of endpoints in the shape. Let’s not forget the flexible endpoint, the one with handles, which is where a lot of customization can occur. This type of endpoint allows for more flexibility and a wider range of motion for shapes.
Customization
Flexible endpoints, like a standard endpoint, is used to connect the path of the shape being created but with more custom options available. The handles that appear on each end of this endpoint can create curves, sharp corners and various angles of direction. To create this level of customization, select one of the handles by clicking on it and dragging it in different directions. The handle can also be dragged further away or closer to the endpoint it comes from for acute or obtuse angle variations. This opens up a multitude of possiblities for all types of shapes.
The amount of customization is up to the Illustrator with these two types of endpoints. Whether its a standard endpoint or a flexible endpoint, shapes of any size and form can be created. The main takeaway is to practice using the Pen Tool and to have fun creating. There are no limitations with this tool, the only limit is imagination. Get creating!