How To Use The Pen Tool in Illustrator

There’s many tools and techniques that need to be learned in order to master the art of vector illustration, but none may be more important than knowing how to manually create freehand lines and shapes. In Adobe Illustrator, the tool that allows you to do that is the Pen Tool, and in today’s tutorial I’ll be demonstrating how to use the Pen Tool in Illustrator.
In Adobe Illustrator, the Pen Tool allows you to manually draw freehand lines and shapes. It allows you to draw straight or curved edges that can be used either as independent lines or as complete shapes.
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Intro song: "In Da Mood" by Combustibles, used with written permission

[@jakebrayojeda3484]

Ok I have been watching pen tool tutorials for a while now, and I was just still not able to figure out how to use it. You have been the first one to actually say you have to press ENTER to end the path and that you can press SPACE to move it. Those little things matter greatly when trying to teach. Thank you!! I have definitely subscribed!!

[@artcrushmovies5336]

You can also press ALT and click on the anchor point to cut off the rounding handle and get a sharp line from that point. It's easier than pressing ENTER each time and reselecting the anchor point.

[@thetrollpatrol8799]

Wow. I was struggling with that for too long and couldn’t figure it out

[@GeanImation]

or press esc

[@myhavocal]

​@@artcrushmovies5336or you could just click on the old anchor point and it will cut off the handle and turn it into a line without pressing anything just giving some quicker ways here

[@artcrushmovies5336]

@@myhavocal appreciate it.

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

Best tutorial ever! Clear and concise, no annoying music in the background. It took going through about 50 annoying videos to find this one. Thanks

[@jrdub7546]

I'm not sure I've ever made a comment on a video but I'm in college for game design and this video taught me more about the pen tool (literally everything I wanted to know plus stuff I didn't even know to ask about) than the last two weeks of my classes combined. So thanks.

[@Iden_Elihio_1999]

Which college is that?

[@austina.1580]

@@Iden_Elihio_1999 90% of them 💀

[@Iden_Elihio_1999]

@@austina.1580 I meant which college did he go to ?

[@Mynuereality]

Beginner here and all I gotta say is your tutorials have been the most helpful and easy to understand. I hope to learn more illustrator tutorials from you. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

[@nickname420]

YOU'RE LITERALLY THE BEST I'm a graphic desing student struggling to understand Ilustrator but the way you explained it made it all clear, thank you so much for this tutorial!

[@JerryN7970]

I’ve been using the pen tool since Illustrator 5.0 in the ‘90’s when I first learned the program, but I occasionally watch videos on people using the pen tool, just to see if there’s anything new that I didn’t know before. I actually didn’t know about the enter key to end the path, so thank you for that! But one thing I never see anyone point out is, if you drag out a handlebar to finish a curve, but then want a new curve that angles off in a different direction, hold down the option (alt) key and then click and drag out from the last anchor point. That breaks the handlebar in a different direction. This creates a curve that comes to a point and then curves off in a different direction. It also works to close a path, when you come back to your starting anchor point, you can option (alt) click the first anchor point, and drag out a handlebar in a different direction.

[@i.gerarhumaru6640]

This procedure may appear most simple and basic, yet the ‘rabbit hole’ of its sophistication difficult to follow without such tutorials as this. Thank you for easing my stress of mastering and manipulating the pen tool!

[@faryallone968]

Literally 100% true

[@dariensalomon6672]

“Learning curve...”. I see what you did there;)

[@Dan_ny]

2:54 instead of pressing enter you can just click on the last anchor point there and it will also have the same effect :)

[@revolvency]

Thank, it helps a lot

[@bort-]

Yeah not sure why anyone would do it using enter 🤔

[@EthanEmc2]

@@bort- i think it may be easier if they are just beginning and or depending on the subject they are tracing

[@marabbaatube3149]

you teach us in clear way dear! NO ONE ELSE, ON THIS POINT!

[@Leadweight2]

4:30 Saved me right there. Thanks a milion for this! No other video I watched explained this simple step of NO FILL

[@vernielariosa8996]

This is awesome. I love how you explained things clearly. I appreciate you for creating this tutorial to help others. Kudos!

[@richardyasushiii3848]

Dude, this is the BEST tutorial for Illustrator's pen tool! I was banging my head against the wall for years because every other tutorial was unnecessarily complex and confusing. I hated this f•king tool for as long as I could remember and avoided it - but this just made it all make sense. Thank-you. Instant sub.

[@lilahylizaliturri9101]

Wow, finally someone taught using pen tool and anchor tool that worked! Thank you soooo much.

[@neilaconfuser]

You're just amazing. The best 8mins46s of my life, thanks!

[@anatolylis9993]

It took me just one video to completely know how to use the pen tool properly, and I want to thank you for it, so may your work not go unappreciated. Thank you

[@kyoukatti]

wow, this was so helpful! I started my school later than others and been having hard times following teacher on a illustrator class! (He dont give any helpful notes, just what happens on a screen while talking and showing. I understand your "lesson" so much better! Thanks a lot for making these helpful tutorials ♥

[@PolDee187]

at 3:06 , you can also just left click on the last anchor and it switches back from a curve to a straight line .. the cursor indicates that. no need to press enter if you wanna go ahead immediately .. In case somebody doesn't know that :) .. great tutorial Mr.

[@lovelifewithchris5683]

Bro!! You touched on a few simple things that I could not find anyone talking about for the life of me!! Thank you soooo much! 🙏🏼💪🏼

[@musasizigodfreydixion6231]

Excellent video.You have summarized everything in just 8 minutes.

[@mimishell8956]

thank you very much for the clear instructions, my teacher did not mention Enter to end the path either and I was so frustrated that I am such an idiot that I was not able to do things smoothly as it was requested. I am not an English native speaker so I also enjoyed clear English and a lovely voice to listen to. Subscribed :)

[@airshiptelepicures]

Brilliant! I have been avoiding the pen tool like the plague. Now I am a little more inspired to give it try. Thanks so much! :)

[@F1withNick]

Thank you so much I struggled a little bit when I started working with the tool but you helped me out alot!

[@tarias_sketchy_adventures]

Super clear and well explained, thank you!

[@siddikaaa]

Thank you so very much.... I just started learning illustrator online...and it helped me a lotttttt!!

[@jobaecker9752]

Are you kidding me? I've been doing (mainly photoshop) for 25+ years and, having just recently switched vector illustrations to Illustrator, NOW I learn these incredible pen shortcuts? Not to mention the Alt+mouse wheel zoom trick? I'm embarrassed! (But grateful!) Thanks!

[@zizalka99]

The info about pressing enter was exactly what was missing. I was getting so frustrated. Thanks!

[@thatfrizzyartist]

Thank you, I was looking for this tutorial everywhere!

[@esmithiii2003]

Great tutorial. The pace is perfect. Thank you for sharing this!

[@marcusdandrea8574]

Man... this is the best video about the subject. Thanks.

[@Anana-e9d]

Thank you so much! I was about to give up on this program

[@ImNotZachKNZ]

Very well spoken made it easy for me to comprehend 👍

[@joemarwil]

Instead of ending the line with Enter, you can click back on the last endpoint to change the current line to a straight line and then continue drawing. This allows you to maintain continuity of the shape till you close it off. Just one less step. Thanks, man!

[@AndyTheChef]

Solid tutorial, appreciate you king

[@savillah]

Thank you ! Wish I had seen this yesterday when I spent 3 hours trying to learn the pen tool & failed miserably.

[@mora9036]

You have a good way to educate people i do appreciate that I learned a lot from your videos thank you

[@jimmyt-o1r]

omg finally an easy to follow video on this bastard of a tool :D

[@gabrielclaredo3206]

Thanks for the tutorial man, was having a really tough time trying to figure this tool out hahahah

[@nithikabalakrishnan4999]

This was really helpful! I found every shortcut I was looking for. Amazing tutorial

[@bimaltwayana2058]

This video teaches stuff very well. It made me easy to understand.

[@mubalamashukuru4879]

Thank you, I've learnt new things!

[@andraemanuelaraileanu2948]

Ok, I've watched 3 tutorial to learn the shortcuts you mentioned in literary 3 seconds :))

[@merihunmekonnen502]

best tutorial ever....thanks

[@YoungBuddhaEzuk]

Yo big thanks! That really sped up my morning!

[@quentindecoteau7429]

You sound like a young Alan Alda. Good tutorial. Thanks.

[@annac3957]

You explained the pen tool so clearly! Thank you very much for such a great tutorial.

[@chibikkotravels]

Honestly, hands down best tutorial of its kind. Thanks so much. I have been recently learning how to use AI through following tutorials and has been so frustrated especially with the pen tool cause couldn't figure out why I can't use it well :D

[@Daniel-2275]

thank you man,you are a legend

[@no120992]

this was soooo clear and easy to understand! you're a great teacher!

[@MrGeoWolf]

This is exactly what I needed! Thanks a ton!

[@thecapital2693]

Thanks for the tutorial! That was really helpful !!

[@petermadej6237]

This is exactly what I was looking for . great video thank you so much

[@MoeMurdock]

Thanks for creating this!

[@msieurdaveyray5393]

Thanks heaps for your presentation, Now I understand 👍

[@danieladebajo7974]

Thank you very much, you truly made it very simple. I was able to create something I was worried I won't be able to do using this tutorial. You already have a fan and subscriber in me.

[@aliciachi8133]

Wow very precise and helpful 😊👍🏽 Thank you!!

[@Thepaperroute94]

Your videos are so direct to the point! Good stuff

[@spoonmanchen7631]

Thanks for your great explanation

[@silverwood6705]

Love the Benny Goodman & the great advice!

[@shairaivymohammadsaid5537]

thanks for this. quick tutorial. others have to many extras. you, however were direct to the point with some real useful extras

[@jeremymicah1850]

Thanks a lot. This tutorial is so easy to comprehend.

[@Maria-secret]

This was so helpful, thank you so much 🙏

[@leadforaliving]

Excellent tutorial

[@eddykasili8131]

thank you sir for teaching me how to use the pen tool

[@marthaoikono2049]

Thank you so much!! Your video really helped me!! ❤

[@MrDeerbomb]

You can use alt key to adjust the next angle and make a sharp point without having to press enter key

[@stormy7744]

This does not seem to be working in Illustrator 2020 for me, it's very frustrating.

[@designengineeringservices9149]

@@stormy7744 try essential classis enviroment

[@catcygaming6145]

how to move on corve anchor. what is the special key for move anchor plzz tell me

[@neonoize]

Best tutorial!

[@canesdaryll]

is there a next video after this where he do the details inside after doing this outline? thanks for this tutorial btw :)

[@amcstudiogy]

Omg thank you so much ❤❤❤❤❤❤I’m honestly in awwww

[@evgeniasalahaddinova8379]

Thank you very much for the tutorial. It's so clearly explained. I got lucky to find your channel! :-)

[@AMHoo-zy7cf]

Thank you for your helpful toturial Really appreciate that

[@rtrslihoatulet2562]

very good explanation, this helps a ton

[@notnerbable]

very great teaching style straight forward

[@JC-fk4xp]

Thank you soooo much!!!! You made it sooo easy for me..

[@arturabbishilla7210]

Good guide for beginners)

[@faithfilledprints]

Woww.. Amazing video👏

[@Quintopia1]

simple and to the point.. love it

[@Quintopia1]

thank you

[@deuivui5591]

Good tutorial! Fast and clear enough Thank you

[@rtzfrtz1]

This is so great! Solved a big problem for me. I have a question. I accidentally hit "path" and I can't get rid of it. What do I do?

[@nigelnovak3096]

Phenomenal, thanks so much!

[@rolipoli7601]

simple and precise

[@maccy1234]

Thanks very helpful!

[@IvyPlans]

Great tutorial!

[@ahmmadnoorytanzim283]

clean video . thank you sir

[@ericl6742]

You are a good teacher! thumbs up 👍

[@Essince]

This is great, Thank you

[@jorgeeduardoreynoso6790]

Man I just got the adobe creative cloud to animate my characters, but tbh I start following you in ur Inkscape channel and fr inskcape is way easier and intuitive than illustrator, like why do we need to use a million tools to make curves in a line, it's frustrating ngl, I mean is my first day but inkscape is so easy to learn and so cool, I wish it was industry standard :/, anw man ig tomorrow I will have a marathon of this channel haha, stay safe love ya :D

[@DesignMadeSimple]

I'm with you! I think Inkscape is more intuitive with lines and nodes.

[@TaranehAsadi-ul5mr]

Just perfect

[@mauricioposada8270]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@user-to3tx1rz7g]

Very nice 👌but I still don't kw wht to do next after u trace wht is the combination to cut it out?

[@khanhlynguyen3197]

Thank you so much, that was very helpful.

[@Molialicious]

This was super helpful! Thank you so much!

[@Solomon-pn9qr]

it was really helpful

[@andy0245]

Great tutorial and easy to follow along to 👍🏾

[@missmessy3]

Thank you thank you, no one ever said that I can press enter to end the path aah it was confusing to me , thank you

[@ABC1209]

For me also same. ☺️

[@catcygaming6145]

how to move on curve anchor. what is the key that you press for move anchor

[@madhushanrathnasiri9595]

Thank you. so much helpful

[@akanecollazo6244]

best tutorial! thx so much :)

[@parisaesmaili8410]

Hi, teacher. First thank you for your perfect teaching. I have a problem, what I do , I can not match my tracing with my pattern, controlling the pen tool for curves is hard for me, What should I do?

[@finestford007]

thank you for this video

[@alirizwankj]

Great video.... give it up