You hear it over and over, and you wish it wasn’t true, but everyone keeps telling you:

“You must know how to sketch with the Pen Tool in Illustrator.”

And they’re right. The Pen Tool is an essential for Illustrator users and fashion designers. But most of you kinda hate it.

Me? I actually LOVE the Pen Tool.

Whaattt? How can that be?!

Long ago, I figured out why it works the way it does. Since I understand its intricacies and can predict what it’s going to do next, it works great for me. And because I’m not a hand sketcher, its “non-organic” and “technical” approach to drawing works for me.

But I know that for many of you, especially if you’re more comfortable drawing on paper, don’t feel the same way. And I get it.

Which is why I released my most recent video (one I’ve never shared on the site before):

How to sketch fashion flats in Adobe Illustrator without the Pen Tool

We’ll use the lesser know but effective Pencil Tool – and if you’re looking for a way to draw more organically in AI, this tool may just be your new bestie.

Watch the video below, and let me know in the comments, what do you think about this sketching method? Is it something you could use in your workflow? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Related posts:

How to Easily Sketch with the Pen Tool in Illustrator Fashion Flats + Textile Design with Illustrator Then and Now: My Embarrassing Fashion Flats