Why the pen tool is the best tool for beginners to learn how to use Adobe Illustrator

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When I first started learning how to use Adobe Illustrator, I was a bit overwhelmed. 

Adobe Illustrator is one of the best graphic design programs to learn how to use as a beginner graphic designer. 

I knew this to be true when I started, but I didn’t know how many things Adobe Illustrator could do for my graphic design portfolio. Adobe Illustrator was still a foreign concept when I set out to start designing newspapers.

Once I decided to go back to school, I saw how much impact learning how to use Adobe Illustrator would have on my graphic design career. I had so many more projects that required me to become comfortable and adaptable with Adobe Illustrator rather than my preferred program, Adobe InDesign.

I wish I were able to go back and start in Adobe Illustrator rather than Adobe InDesign. I heard many of my friends wish they knew more about Adobe InDesign, but I knew Adobe Illustrator held many more advantages than InDesign.

One of the best business tools that I’ve learned in Adobe Illustrator is the pen tool. I’d say the pen tool is my favorite and most recommended tool to acquaint yourself with when you’re starting as a beginner. 

The pen tool will allow you to manipulate and create various objects and design styles that add variety to a graphic designer’s portfolio. You might have a preferred style and method, but you will be able to show the range and ability you can provide to your clients or employer.

Adobe Illustrator Pen Tool Tip #1: Trace

When you’re a beginner and learning how to use Adobe Illustrator, I wholeheartedly recommend using the pen tool as a tracing tool. Eventually, it will be easier to use the pen tool to create your illustrations but learn by doing and tracing first to understand how things work.

Tracing things in Adobe Illustrator is the best way to figure out how to use Adobe Illustrator. I’ve found this to be extremely helpful when you are trying to capture facial expressions or to try out a new style of illustration unfamiliar to you.

If you’re trying to find something to trace and are apprehensive about what to start on, find everyday objects. Starting with something small is better than getting in over your head. 

For a style, I’d start with line drawings. If you’re a beginner learning how to use Adobe Illustrator, this type of illustration and tracing will be most accessible because all you have to worry about is your subject matter outlines. You won’t have to worry about color, shading, or anything else that’s more complicated.

Once you feel more comfortable with the pen tool, try another style or subject matter. You choose another subject or another method to try learning a more complex skill.

Adobe Illustrator Pen Tool Tip #2: Manipulate

Probably my favorite ability when using the pen tool in Adobe Illustrator is being able to manipulate objects.

As a beginner, when learning how to use Adobe Illustrator, I’d suggest working with type. To start, I’d recommend working with a san-serif font. This way, you’ll be able to manipulate the font as much as you’d like. 

To manipulate fonts and typography, you’ll have to create outlines out of your text. You go to the Type drop-down menu at the top left of your screen and click Create Outlines. After this, you won’t be able to change your text’s wording or grammar, but you will see all of the points that make up a letter(s). 

There are a few ways to insert text into shapes or make illustrations out of a phrase or word, like shaping a word or phrase into a heart. While I’d encourage you to learn how to do this, use the pen tool to manipulate your text further. Many shapes will be too complex and won’t give you legible text.

Work your way through san-serif fonts and progress through serif, slab serif, scripts, and decorative fonts. Once you work through a few different types of fonts, you can learn how to use Abode Illustrator to make your type!

Adobe Illustrator Pen Tool Tip #3: Illustrate

Now that you’ve learned how to use Adobe Illustrator’s pen tool by recreating and manipulating objects, now you can make your illustrations!

You might start making your illustrations by imitating others at first. Remember, copying is fine when you are learning and not passing things off as your own and receiving payment for anything. 

Just like the previous tips, start simple. I’d start by making line art illustrations and working your way up to creating new pictures that fit your style. Try to incorporate hand-drawn illustrations that you import from photographs or invest in a Wacom tablet to learn new techniques with the pen tool.

When it comes to illustrating your artwork, it can be an overwhelming feeling. Don’t forget, you’ve learned just as much as others who are demonstrating new creations. You might be at the starting point, but you’ve learned how to use the pen tool just like they have. 

If you’re intending to freelance your services, try a few Facebook Groups or reaching out to local companies that connect with your style of illustration to see if they’d be interested in working with you. You might have to build up your pricing, but it’d be an excellent start to your career and get your work in a published industry.