Introduction to the Pen Tool

Instructor: Kirk Nelson

Description

This course is an exploration of Photoshop’s Pen Toolset and Paths.  The course will cover the creation, manipulation, and many uses of vector paths within Photoshop.  Students will become familiar with using Photoshop’s Paths for a variety of real world tasks such as vector drawings, logo creation, clipping paths, cutouts and other effects that can be accomplished with Paths.  Detailed step by step instructions as well as video examples provide the means for students to take control of this powerful but intimidating tool.

Skill Level

Beginner to Intermediate

Software Requirements

  • Photoshop CS or above

Hardware Requirements

  • Windows or Mac capable of running Photoshop CS or above.
  • Graphics tablet is helpful but not required

Before Class

The Pen tool in Photoshop is one of the most avoided tools by the most Photoshop users.  It may be explored or played with while using the program, but many users find in unintuitive and cumbersome to make a part of their normal workflow.  There tends to be a strange level of intimidation regarding the Pen.  This course is meant to change that.  At the culmination of this class students should be as comfortable with the Pen as with any other tool in Photoshop.

Week One

The Pen is mightier than the sword, or the brush, or the clone stamp tool, or even the filter menu.

This week we’ll delve into what exactly the Pen does that is different than anything else in Photoshop, and why you’d want to use it.  We’ll explore the interface and get some hands on time in Path wrangling.

Week Two

Now cut that out! Remove an object from a background without the Magic Wand tool!

Remove an object from a background without the Magic Wand tool!

This week we’ll see why the Pen is the “Anti-Magic Wand” tool.  We’ll use it to cut an object out of the background of an image.  We’ll explore the techniques the pros use and develop an efficient work flow for quickly creating precise clipping paths, and discuss why that’s a good thing.

Week Three

Illustrating in Photoshop, learning to draw a logo that can be scaled to any size without smudging

Learn to create tight vector illustrations in our favorite image editor.  In a program where pixels reign supreme, the vectors tools are often forgotten.  This week we’ll dust them off and see that Photoshop can draw!

Week Four

Keeping it real, practical path projects and Professional Pen practices

This week we’ll cover some real life applications of the Pen techniques and explore some of the secret tricks of the pros.