Drawing Curves with the Pen Tool
Grade 12th Grade · Art · 30 min
What's Included
Learning Objective
I can use the Pen Tool in Adobe Illustrator to create shapes with curved lines and minimal anchor points.
Warm-Up Video
Bring Your Own Laptop · 11:31
Master the Pen Tool in 10 Minutes | Adobe Illustrator Tutorial
Guided Notes
3 key concepts
- 1
To make anchor points easier to see, especially on smaller displays, go to Edit > General > Selection and Anchor Display and increase the anchor point size.
- 2
Instead of placing anchor points in the middle of curves, place them at corner points and drag handles to create the curve with fewer points.
- 3
While drawing with the Pen Tool, hold the Ctrl key to temporarily switch to the Direct Selection Tool and adjust anchor points, or hold the Alt key to break the handles and change the curve.
Practice Questions
3 questions · Multiple choice & Short answer
Exit Ticket
Quick comprehension check
“Using the Pen Tool in Adobe Illustrator, create a curved line with only two anchor points. Describe the steps you took, including how you manipulated the handles to achieve the curve.”
Teacher Guide
Get the complete package:
- Answer keys for all questions
- Differentiation strategies
- Extension activities
- Printable student handouts
