Pen Tool Bootcamp

Do Now (5 min)

• Open Illustrator → File > New A4 / 300 ppi.
• Set Fill: None and Stroke: 1 pt Black. Turn on View > Smart Guides (Cmd/Ctrl+U).
• Enable Pen “Rubber Band” in Preferences > Pen.

Fill and Stroke controls

Choose a stroke color and keep fill set to none (red diagonal).

Demo (10 min)

• Straight segments: click, then click with P. Hold Shift for 45° or 90°.
• Curves: click and drag to pull handles for smooth points.
• Corner vs smooth: use Shift+C to break or pull handles; use A to move anchors and handles precisely.
• Close a path: hover the start anchor until you see the small circle, then click.
• Reposition while placing: hold Spacebar before you release.

Guided Drill (20 min)

Trace the four rows on the Pen Tool Exercise Sheet and place it as a locked layer in Illustrator. Create a new layer on top and draw:

1. Row 1 – Peaks: straight segments with sharp corners (click only).
2. Row 2 – Scallops: smooth arcs (click and drag with equal handles).
3. Row 3 – Waves: alternating curves; practice handle length and direction.
4. Row 4 – Small ripples and diagonals: short repeating curves and angled lines.

Challenge (10 min)

Create a small icon such as a leaf, paperclip, or wave using a single clean path with minimal points. Keep stroke weight even and handles smooth.

Exit Ticket (5 min)

1. How do you close a path?
2. What does Shift+C do?
3. When would you switch from V to A while drawing?