About drawing


    Drawing is what Adobe Illustrator is all about. So it's worth spending a few moments getting introduced to how and what you can draw.

    Illustration of Creating drawn artwork with these callouts: A. Drawing objects B. Adjusting their paths C. Combining objects into a single complex object D. Applying attributes to combined object
    Creating drawn artwork A. Drawing objects B. Adjusting their paths C. Combining objects into a single complex object D. Applying attributes to combined object

    Not surprisingly, you use Illustrator's drawing tools to draw objects. For instance, you use the Rectangle tool to draw squares, the Pencil tool to sketch freehand lines, and the Pen tool to create very accurate, custom shapes.

    As you draw, the resulting line is called a path. Paths can take any shape, ranging from a simple straight line to a geometric shape such as a star to a series of smooth curves and sharp corners that create the outline of a flower.

    Illustration of Drawing objects with these callouts: A. Straight line B. Geometric shape C. More complex path
    Drawing objects A. Straight line B. Geometric shape C. More complex path

    Once you've drawn an object, you can reshape it by adjusting its path with a variety of tools and commands. For instance, you might use the Erase tool to erase part of a path you drew, or the Simplify command to reshape it.

    Illustration of Adjusting paths with these callouts: A. Original path B. After being reshaped with the Simplify command C. After being partially erased with the Erase tool
    Adjusting paths A. Original path B. After being reshaped with the Simplify command C. After being partially erased with the Erase tool

    You can even combine drawn objects to create a more complex object. As a simple example, you can place one circle on top of another and then use the Subtract From Shape Area option in the Pathfinder palette to make the top circle cut a hole in the bottom circle, creating a crescent moon shape.

    Illustration of Combining objects into more complex objects with these callouts: A. Two circles B. Circles moved to overlap each other C. Subtract from Shape Area option applied
    Combining objects into more complex objects A. Two circles B. Circles moved to overlap each other C. Subtract from Shape Area option applied

    You can also apply appearance attributes to objects you've drawn. For instance, you might paint the outline of an object (called its stroke) with a color from one of the swatches in the Swatches palette or apply a color you created with the Color palette. Then you might paint the inside of the object (called its fill) with a pattern from the Pattern palette or a gradient from the Gradients palette.

    Illustration of Applying attributes with these callouts: A. Object with default black stroke B. Object with colored strokes at different widths applied C. Object with a gradient fill added
    Applying attributes A. Object with default black stroke B. Object with colored strokes at different widths applied C. Object with a gradient fill added

    These are just some simple instances of the many things you can do with the basic drawing tools. As you progress, you can learn about additional tools and techniques available in Illustrator.