Create artwork with the Paintbrush and Pencil tools

The Paintbrush tool in the Toolbar is used to create free-form paths that can have a more hand-drawn feel. With the Paintbrush tool, you can draw a path and apply a brush to the stroke at the same time to give paths an artistic look, like calligraphy, for instance.

Set Paintbrush or Pencil tool options

Select either the Paintbrush or Pencil tool in the Toolbar, and then click Tool Options in the Properties panel or double-click the tool in the Toolbar. You can set a few options for how the tool works in the dialog box that opens.

Begin drawing with the Paintbrush or Pencil tools

With either tool, an asterisk appears next to the pointer, indicating that you can draw a new path. Drag to start drawing.

Choose a brush before drawing with the Paintbrush tool

With the Paintbrush tool selected, you can apply a different brush by choosing it from the Brush menu in the Properties panel before drawing a path or after (with the path selected).

Redraw parts of the path

To redraw parts of a path with either tool, move the pointer over a selected path. When the asterisk disappears, drag and redraw.