How To Draw Line Art In Illustrator Design Talk

By Tania Melissa
last updated February 10, 2025
Contributions sourced from
How to Make Line Art Illustration in Illustrator
In this tutorial we will be making a line art illustration in Adobe Illustrator. These illustrations are perfect designs for t shirts, tote bags and so much more.Create them for mementos of all your favorite places or holidays!Check outour Illustrator tutorial section for more great tips!
Step 1 - Create a new document and draw your diamond outline
Once you have created your new document, select the Star tool from your left toolbar and click on your artboard.
This will bring up the star settings. Change the number of points to 3 to create a triangle and select OK.

If you need more detailed information, follow our tutorial on
using the Shape builder tool.


You can now select your diamond and change your settings as you need. I want to have softened corners so I have selected a rounded cap and rounded corners with a 1.5 stroke.

Step 2 - Use the Pen tool to draw waves inside the diamond
To draw your wavy line, select your Pen tool and draw a straight horizontal line by clicking one point and then holding shift before clicking your second node. Now, to add the waves, select Effect > Distort and Transform > Zig Zag.We have a fun tutorial on
creating a wavy line in illustratorfor you to follow if you want.


Select OK in the menu, then select
Object > Expand Appearanceto change your path to the waves.

. T
his will create a duplicate.
When you have created a duplicate, press
Command + Dto add more with equal spacing.


Finally, draw a line using your Pen tool to create a straight line to divide the waves and the mountains.

Step 3 - Draw 3 more triangles to create the mountains
Draw another triangle using the Star tool as we did in Step 1.Next, select the Direct Selection Tool to click and remove the bottom side of the triangle. With the Direct Selection Toolactive
, select and hold the small blue circle that sits below the top node of the triangle. You can drag this circle to change the point to a rounded edge. Im just going to soften this a tiny bit for the peak of the mountain.


When you are happy with your layout of the mountains, select the whole design. Using the
Shape Builder Toolagain, hold
Commandto remove lines that overlap the diamond and also inside your mountains to create some in front of the other.

We can now add a small detail to look like snow on the mountains. We will do this in the same way that we created the waves, by turning off the smooth setting. Start by using the pen tool to draw a straight line, then select
Effect > Distort and Transform > Zig Zag. Amend your settings to create small Zig Zags on your line. When you are happy select OK, then select
Object > Expand Appearance.

Step 4 - Draw the sun to complete your design
Select the Ellipse tool from your left toolbar and draw a circle roughly center to your diamond. When you are done, you can again highlight your design and use the Shape Builder Tool. H
old down Command to remove the unwanted lines.



When ready, select all of your lines then resize and position where you would like these to sit within your design. Select all of your design then use the
Shape Builder Tool.Press Command to remove sections of the paths you don't need.

How to Make a Wavy Line in Illustrator
Drawing a wavy line in Adobe Illustrator is super quick and easy. You simply choose the amount of waves and the size for your project. This can be used with many design options including logos or fun personal projects. I will be teaching you how to create a sunset with waves in Illustrator.
Step 1 - Create your new document
Create your new document and select the Pen Tool from your toolbar. Click your first point then hold Shift and click your next point to the side of the first to create a straight line.
This could be horizontal, vertical or diagonally, Im creating a horizontal line to create the waves in front of the sunset.
Step 2 - Create your wave
Now, select Effect > Distort & Transform > Zig Zag. Your Zig Zag options will appear and this is where you can completely adapt your waves. Start by clicking preview, so you can watch your design changing with your settings to help you achieve your desired effect.
To create smooth, curved waves, select Smooth in your Zig Zag options. I want my waves to represent the sea, so Ive set the size of my waves to be quite low and I only want 4 waves across my line.
Once you have your desired effect, select OK.
Step 3 - Adjust and duplicate your wave
You can now adjust the weight and color of your line to the desired effect by selecting the line and selecting Stroke in your top tools panel.
Duplicate the line by holding down Shift + Alt + Cmd, then press Cmd + D to duplicate.
Step 4 - Edit your wave
If you need to amend your wavy line you can select Window > Appearance to bring up with Appearance window.
Select your lines and then in your Appearance window double click Zig Zag. This will then bring up the Zig Zag options to amend your values.
Step 5 - Expand appearance to convert your strokes to outlines
Once you have completed this step, you can no longer use the Zig Zag options to adjust the options of your wave so make sure you are happy with the design before completing this step. Select all your lines and then select Object > Expand Appearance.
When your strokes have been converted to outlines, you could then add text to these wavy lines. We have a very helpful tutorial on how to type on path to help you along.
To take it further, you could add a circle to make a sunset image. To create this, I drew a circle behind the waves and used the Pathfinder Tool to remove the section of sun behind the waves. To learn how to use Pathfinders, see our tutorial on how to use the Pathfinder Tool.
Now that you know how to create a wavy line, you can create so many different effects. You can apply this tool to various different shapes or paths you create for an array of designs.
We have more great tutorials for you to follow such as create an SVG, using the character panel and using the blend tool with text.
How to Draw a Line in Adobe Illustrator
You're not alone if you're new to Illustrator and struggling with drawing lines. It can be overwhelming to figure out where to start and which tool to use. But don't worry. With a little practice and guidance, you'll create smooth and precise lines in no time.
In Adobe Illustrator, creating lines is a breeze with the variety of tools available. Whether you need a straight line, a curved line, or even a spiral, Illustrator's got you covered.
With pre-made line tools and the versatile pen tool, you can easily create any line you need for your design project.
This tutorial will guide you through the process of drawing lines in Illustrator using four different drawing tools. You'll also learn when to use each tool for optimal results.
How to Draw Lines in Adobe Illustrator
When it comes to drawing lines in Illustrator, the Line Segment Tool is great for straight lines. However, if you need to draw curves, you'll want to use the Pen Tool or Pencil for freehand lines.
And if you're drawing a spiral line or shape, the Spiral Tool is a game-changer, making it much easier to create perfect spirals.
How to Draw a Straight Line with the Line Segment Tool
To start, click on the artboard to choose where you want your line to begin, and then drag your cursor to the ending point.
The Line Segment Tool (keyboard shortcut ) is your best bet if you need to draw a straight line.

Select the tool from the toolbar, hold down the Shift key, and click and drag on the artboard to create a straight line. It's that easy! Holding the Shift key ensures that your line is straight.

How to Draw a Line with the Pen Tool
The Pen Tool (keyboard shortcut P) in Adobe Illustrator is powerful for creating precise lines and curves.

You can create anchor points that connect to form your desired shape by clicking on the artboard.

Whether you need a straight or curved line, the Pen Tool allows you to create it easily. Start at your desired beginning point and click to make your first anchor point.

The Pen Tool also allows you to create curves by clicking and dragging to create anchor points and adjust the handles.
With practice, the Pen Tool can become essential for creating professional-quality illustrations and designs.
How to Draw Lines with the Spiral Tool
Creating spiral lines in Illustrator may seem like a daunting task, but fear not!
Illustrator has a Spiral Tool that makes it easy. While it may not be visible on the basic toolbar, you can easily access it by going to the Edit Toolbar option. With this tool, you can create beautiful and intricate spiral designs with ease.

To access the Spiral Tool in your editing toolbar, simply click on the Edit Toolbar menu and locate the Spiral Tool. Once you've found it, drag it to your toolbar wherever you prefer. For example, you may want to place it next to the Arc Tool for easy access.
Simply access the Spiral Tool and use your mouse to click and drag on the artboard to make a spiral.

How to Draw Freehand Lines with the Pencil Tool
In Adobe Illustrator, the Pencil Tool (keyboard shortcut N) is versatile and allows you to draw freehand lines and create illustrations.
The Pencil Tool is even more precise and responsive if you have a drawing tablet. To use the Pencil Tool, simply select it from the toolbarand start drawing as you would with a traditional pen and paper.

Whether you're sketching out ideas or creating detailed illustrations, the Pencil Tool is valuable for any digital artist.

Final Thoughts
Adobe Illustrator is a powerful tool for creating digital art and designs. One of the most important skills to master is using the various drawing tools available. Whether you need to create straight lines, complex shapes, or freehand drawings, Illustrator has a tool for every task.
Some of the most commonly used tools include the line segment, pen, and pencil tools. With practice, you can become a master of these tools and create stunning works of art with ease.