Pen Tool Practice

Use both Chromebook & Computer

Recommended: Use both your Chromebook and classroom computer:

  • On your Chromebook, you can display the instructions and video

  • One your classroom computer, you can have Illustrator open

Copy Illustrator Template

  1. Go to the Pen Tool Practice Template (Illustrator)

  2. If you aren't already signed in to Adobe, click "Sign in" in the top right corner.

  3. Click "Copy to Files"

  4. Open the Creative Cloud desktop app.

  5. Right-click on the file and click "Rename"

    • "Last Name, Pen Tool Practice"

  6. Right-click and click "Open"

Adjust Your Workspace

  1. Adjust your workspace (go to "Window" > "Workspace" > "Essentials Classic"


Choose Your Stroke Color

  1. On your left side toolbar, double-click the black outline square to open the color picker.

  2. Choose a color for your stroke.

Adjust Stroke Weight

  1. In the top left corner, next to "Stroke:" make sure it is adjusted to "1 pt"

Zoom in

To zoom in to view task #1, click "Ctrl" and "+"

Follow Along with the Video (#1-7)

  1. Go to the Pen Tool Practice video (EdPuzzle)

  2. Follow along with the instructions in the video to complete tasks #1-7:

    1. Straight Lines

    2. Multiple Curves

    3. Curves with Corner Points

    4. Curves with Straight Lines

    5. Curves with Corner Points

    6. Add & Delete Anchor Points

    7. Convert Anchor Points

Trace the Car and Plane (#8-9)

  1. For tasks #8-9 use the pen tool to trace both the car and the plane.

Free Draw (#10)

  1. For task #10, use the pen tool to free draw whatever you want (school appropriate)

    • Can't think of what to draw? Try drawing a:

      1. House

      2. Tree

      3. Bicycle

      4. Cube (3D square)

Save as .aic and .pdf

  1. Go to "File" > "Save" to make sure to save your .aic file (if it is grayed out then it is already saved).

  2. Go to "File" > "Save As..."

  3. Choose "On your computer"

  4. Click "Creative Cloud Files" folder on the left menu

  5. Name: "Last Name, Pen Tool Practice"

  6. Click "Save"

  7. Click "Save PDF"

  8. Once you save as a .pdf, exit out of Illustrator. If you need to edit again and resave, make sure to edit your .aic file and re-save as a .pdf.

Turn in to Canvas

Turn in your .pdf file on Canvas in the "Pen Tool Practice" assignment.

More time in class?

If you have more time in class, your options are:

  • Start a new Illustrator file and practice drawing with the pen tool

  • Play the Bezier Game online and screenshot your best score (email to Mrs. Hodges to add the scoreboard)

  • Help a classmate with the assignment