Illustrationdan :

A good tip for tracing photos or shapes is to trace the whole picture in one swoop, even if it isnt perfect. Then go back with the direct selection tool (white arrow) and tidy them up!

Kingdomunleashed :

I'm just learning to use Illustrator so these are really helpful, but I'm just wondering why you didn't show that by making a curved line and then clicking on the anchor point you just made allows you to get rid of the second bezier handle, making it possible to do sharp points while still using only curved lines.

Pyannaguy :

Have you given up? The pen tool can drive you crazy, but if you start by tracing simple shapes like circles you can start to make progress. I still draw by hand then scan the drawing in and trace with the pen tool. I'm finally getting better, and it's worth the trouble. Once you get some help and get better, you can see the value. Your drawings look really clean and parts can be saved (like faces, hands, etc.) and reused. They can then be tiny or big, colored in, etc. Hope you hang in!

NejixHinataFan :

The best tip I ever got? When your line or curve needs to radically change direction? Click and hold on your last point, press and hold down the option key (on a Mac, - Sorry, I don't know from PC's) and drag away from the point a little in the direction you need to go. Then, let off and go from there. Cha-ching! You just turned on a dime.

Suzannedrakie :

other illustrator tutorials are so damn slow and don't get to the point, this was quick but verrrry understandable...you're a good teacher lol thanks

TopSideUp :

i really love yoru video's its so nice to sit back and learn something new. illustrator is my new found stress reliever and you do a great job explaining it in a laid back tone and its cool

JCVdude :

Excellent tutorial. So, I'm working in CS and until a minute ago, had the tear-offs. They don't show anymore. I can access the hidden tools through alt click. But I want the tear-off again. Any idea what I have done and how I can get them back? Thanks - Blundering beginner here.

TheKidFlames :

Awesome! You explained something that has proven so confusing for me and made it very easy! Having been a Photoshop guru for the past few years, I tend to lean heavily on it, not using Illustrator outside of adding text to my projects. As I branch off from my day job, starting my own media company, I get a lot of requests for custom logos. Your tutorials are incredibly helpful! Keep these joints comin'! THANKS!

Illustrationdan :

I have a pretty ambitious project in the works I hope to release in the near future. In the meantime if there are any topics in illustrator youd like to learn more about, please feel free to send me a request. Thanks

LUKAvac :

man! i just have to give u 5 stars! a minute a go i looked a tutorial from some guy who is explaining pen tool too...like u ... BUT he was boring like hell, 27min vid and full of nothing, u just show him how to do a tutorial ! simple, fast and simply great! no complications ! regards. !!!