Introduction: This tutorial teaches us how to master the details of the pen tool operation in Photoshop and how to draw the outline of a penguin.
Final effect preview
step one
Open the image in photoshop and resize it to the size you want. I resized it to 1800px*2546px.
I lowered the transparency of the penguin image to 50% so you can more easily see the paths and curves you created. To do this, simply duplicate the layer
Delete the original layer, then set the opacity to 50%.
Step 2
Create a new layer named 'Body' and select the Pen Tool (Pen Tool shortcut key 'P').
Make sure you have selected path mode.
Step 3
First we start with the outline of the body. Left-click on the top of your head and a small square will appear. This is called the anchor point. This is the beginning of the path.
To create larger areas I like to create larger lines, I feel it creates a smooth curve rather than creating a lot of anchor points. But if you want, you can also create smaller lines and use more anchor points. Try both methods to see which works best for you.
When you create smaller and more detailed details such as footsteps, you create smaller lines and curves.
Step 4
Click and hold to start drawing the arm
Now drag the mouse down and you will notice that the line will curve.
Drag and release the mouse button when the outline of your line fits the outline of the edge of the head.
If the lines don't turn out the way you imagined, no problem, the Pen Tool is very forgiving.
One option is to delete the last anchor point you created. To do this, press DELETE. This will delete the last anchor point. You must remember to click on the last anchor point after you delete it otherwise you will create a new sub-path.
You can also select the Convert Point tool to edit the angle of the line. When you create the curve you may notice these two lines showing up. These are called guide/direction lines. They control the angle and length of the curve.
With the Pen tool still selected, hold down 'alt' (this is the shortcut for the Transform Point tool) and hover over the top direction line. (You will notice that your cursor movement will not change until you hover over either end of the direction line or an anchor point).
Now you click and hold the top direction line on the upper one and you'll be able to edit the curve and make any fine adjustments to it.
The final way to edit is to hold down the 'Ctrl' key. This allows you to move the anchor point and direction and make some modifications to your lines and curves.
If you want you can make a few lines and see how you can manipulate the lines.
Step 5
If you didn't edit it, the bottom orientation would look like this.
If you continue clicking on the outside of the arm with the Pen Tool, the line will not be where you want it.
This is the big direction line and creates a large curve (basically a long direction line = long curve, short direction line = short curve!).
Alt-click and drag the bottom direction line upward so that the line tracks the direction of the arm reasonably close to the anchor point.
Now you should draw a curve around the arm. Use different methods to edit the line or curve.
This is how I do it
