Make a Cartoony Pencil in Illustrator
Convert an Anchor Point
The pencil point is too sharp and scary for a cartoon effect. Let’s soften it.
- Use the Direct Selection tool (A) to select the path point at the very tip.
Select the Path Point
- Select the Add Anchor Point tool (+) and click to add two points on either side of the tip, a little ways up.
Add Two Points
- Select the Convert Anchor Point tool which is in the flyout menu for the Pen tool (or press Shift+C).
Convert Anchor Point tool
- Click and drag on the tip point to convert the point to a curvy line. If you drag one way and the path seems to overlap itself, swing your direction around the other way.
Convert to a Curve
- The tip looks a bit bulgy, so use the Direct select Tool to move it in a bit.
Move the Tip Point in
- Change the fill color of your pencil if you like. Add a stroke too.
Finished Pencil
And here’s what I get when I really exaggerate the lines:
Super Exaggerated
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I’d love to hear from you!
By Ben H, 06/18/2009 @ 6:15 pm
Nice tut.
By Dawn Pedersen, 06/18/2009 @ 6:24 pm
Thanks, Ben!