How to use the Pen Tool(Affinity Edition)

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The Pen Tool is one of the most powerful and essential tools in Affinity. While it can feel intimidating at first, once you understand how it works and how each mode behaves, it becomes an incredibly precise and flexible way to create clean vector artwork.

In this follow-along tutorial, we’ll break down what the Pen Tool is, what it does, and how each Pen Tool mode works. Then, we’ll walk through practical examples using shapes and designs you can follow along with using the images provided.

This tutorial is designed to be hands-on, so open Affinity, and draw along as you go.

What Is the Pen Tool?

The Pen Toolis used to create vector paths made up of nodes (also called anchor points) and segments. These paths can be straight, curved, or a combination of both. Unlike shape tools, the Pen Tool gives you full control over every point and curve, making it ideal for logos, icons, illustrations, lettering, and detailed designs.

With the Pen Tool, you can:

 -Create custom shapes from scratch

 -Draw smooth curves and sharp corners

 -Edit and refine paths at any time using the Node Tool

 -Build complex designs with precision

In Affinity, the Pen Tool includes several modes that change how paths are created.

Download To Follow Along

You can download the follow along for this tutorial here. Ive set the blend mode on the Pattern layer to Multiply, and reduce the transparency to about 50%. Adjust the opacity if needed. Use the follow along layer to follow along.

Pen Tool Modes Explained

1. Pen Mode

What it does:

Pen Mode gives you full manual control. You place each node individually, and you decide whether a segment is straight or curved by clicking or clicking and dragging.

How to use it:

-Click once to create a straight corner node

-Click and drag to create a curved node with Bézier handles

-Continue placing nodes to build your shape

When to use it:

-Custom shapes and illustrations

-Logos and icons 

-Lettering and organic curves

This is the most commonly used and most flexible Pen Tool mode.

2. Line Mode

What it does:

Line Mode restricts the Pen Tool to straight lines only. No curves are created, even if you drag.

How to use it:

 -Click to place nodes, and drag to create a straight line.

 -Each new segment will be a straight line

When to use it:

 -Geometric designs

 -Technical or architectural drawings

 -Patterns made entirely from straight lines

Line Mode is perfect when you want precision without worrying about curves.

3. Polygon Mode

What it does:

Polygon Mode automatically creates straight-line segments and closes the shape for you once you click back on the starting point.

How to use it:

 -Click to place each corner of the polygon

 -Click the starting node to close the shape

When to use it:

 -Triangles, squares, and multi-sided shapes

 -Flat geometric artwork

 -Decorative patterns

This mode speeds up creating closed geometric shapes.

 4. Smart Mode

Honestly, I’m not a fan of Smart Mode, and I personally don’t ever use it. For this reason im not making a video for it, or explain how it works. I find it frustrating and hard to control. I like controlling where my Paths and Nodes are. Once you’ve mastered the other modes, you won’t ever need to use Smart Mode.

Editing Paths: Node Tool & Point Transform Tool

Drawing with the Pen Tool is only half the process. Refining and perfecting your paths happens after the nodes are placed. That’s where the Node Tool and the Point Transform Tool come in.

Using the Node Tool

What it does:

The Node Tool lets you edit existing paths by moving nodes, adjusting curves, changing node types, and refining the overall shape.

How to use it:

1. Select the Node Tool (white arrow).
2. Click on a path to reveal its nodes and handles.
3. Click and drag nodes to reposition them.
4. Drag Bézier handles to adjust curve direction and smoothness.

Node Types:

• Sharp (Corner): Creates hard angles
• Smooth: Keeps curves flowing evenly
• Smart: Automatically adjusts based on movement

You can change node types from the context toolbar at the top.

When to use it:

• Cleaning up curves
• Fixing uneven lines
• Adjusting proportions after drawing
• Refining lettering and shapes

Tip: Most professional-looking vector art is created by editing nodes—not placing more of them.

Using the Point Transform Tool

What it does:

The Point Transform Tool allows you to move, rotate, scale, and skew individual nodes or small sections of a path instead of the entire shape.

How to use it:

1. Select the Point Transform Tool.
2. Click and drag a single node to move it.
3. Use the on-canvas handles to rotate or scale selected nodes.
4. Select multiple nodes for more controlled transformations.

When to use it:

• Adjusting corners in geometric designs
• Fine-tuning lettering
• Creating subtle shape variations
• Correcting alignment without redrawing paths

This tool is especially useful when working with patterns, block lettering, and precise layouts.

Follow-Along Examples

Below are the designs you’ll be recreating using the Pen Tool. Use the

provided images as visual guides for node placement and handle direction.

Follow along image Download.

Triangle

Recommended Mode: Polygon Mode or Line Mode

Steps:

1. Select the Pen Tool and choose Polygon or Line Mode.
2. Click to place the first corner node No.1.
3. Click corner node No.2 and No.3 to create the remaining corners.
4. Click back on corner node No.1 to close the shape.

Square

Recommended Mode: Polygon Mode or Line Mode

Steps:

1. Place four corner nodes in a square shape Starting with corner node No.1,

then follow by placing nodes in No.2, No.3, and No.4.

2. Keep all segments straight.
3. Close the path by clicking the starting node No.1 .

Tip: Hold Shift to help keep lines straight and aligned.

Circle

Recommended Mode: Pen Mode

Steps:

1. Click and drag to place the starting node No.1.
2. Click and drag to place node No.2
3. Click and drag to place node No.3
4. Click and drag to place node No.3
5. Place the final node on node No.1 to close the curve.

 Tip:Adjust handles with the Node Tool to refine the curve.

Zigzag

Recommended Mode: Pen Mode or Line Mode

Steps:

1. Click and place your starting point
2. Move diagonally up and click to create the first peak
3. Move diagonally down to create the first valley.
4. Continue alternating up and down clicks at even spacing.
5. Press enter or Esc to finish the path

Tip: Hold Shift while clicking to keep angles consistent. Use node tool afterwards to

Nudge peaks and valleys into alignment. Use a Guide in the Center to help keep even.

Wave

Recommended Mode: Pen Mode or Smart Mode

Steps:

1. Click and drag to create the first curve.
2. Alternate dragging direction for each node.
3. Keep spacing between nodes consistent.

This exercise helps you practice smooth curve transitions.

Tip: Place a guide in the center to keep the nodes even.

Block Lettering: Affinity

Recommended Mode: Pen Mode + Line Mode

Steps:

1. Draw each letter as a separate shape.
2. Use straight lines for vertical and horizontal strokes.
3. Connect the dots. Start with No.1
4. Close each letter shape before moving on.

Tip: Work letter by letter to maintain consistency.

Additional Shapes to practice with.

Once you’re comfortable with the basic exercises, these additional shapes are excellent for building confidence and control with the Pen Tool, Node Tool, and Point Transform Tool. Use the provided images as visual references and focus on clean paths rather than speed.

Flame Shape

Recommended Mode: Pen Mode

Practice Focus: Smooth curves and sharp transitions

Directions:

1. Start at the bottom of the flame with a sharp node.
2. Click and drag upward to create long, smooth curves.
3. Alternate between smooth curves and sharp inward points.
4. Close the shape at the base.
5. Use the Node Tool to refine curves and reduce unnecessary nodes.

Pine Tree

Recommended Mode: Line Mode + Pen Mode

Practice Focus: Combining straight edges with clean angles

Directions:

1. Use straight segments to create each triangular layer.
2. Stack the shapes vertically, narrowing toward the top.
3. Draw the trunk as a simple rectangle or closed path.
4. Use the Node Tool to align and evenly space points.

Heart

Recommended Mode: Pen Mode

Practice Focus: Symmetry and smooth Bézier handles

Directions:

1. Start at the bottom point of the heart.
2. Draw one side using smooth curves.
3. Either mirror the shape or carefully draw the opposite side.
4. Adjust handles so both sides feel balanced.

Star

Recommended Mode: Line Mode or Polygon Mode

Practice Focus: Precision and sharp corner nodes

Directions:

1. Place alternating outer and inner points.
2. Keep all nodes sharp.
3. Close the shape and refine spacing with the Node Tool.

Organic Blob Shapes

Recommended Mode: Smart Mode or Pen Mode

Practice Focus: Flowing curves and node economy

Directions:

1. Roughly sketch the shape with minimal nodes.
2. Click and drag lightly to create smooth curves.
3. Avoid over-adding points.
4. Use the Node Tool to soften and balance the silhouette.

These shapes are ideal for practicing organic form control.

Palm Tree

Recommended Mode: Pen Mode

Practice Focus: Repeating curves and variation

Directions:

1. Draw the trunk using a slight curve.
2. Create each frond as a separate curved shape.
3. Vary the length and curve direction for a natural look.
4. Combine shapes if desired.

The Pen Tool is a foundational skill in Affinity Designer, and mastering it opens the door to creating professional-quality vector artwork. By understanding each Pen Tool mode and knowing when to use them, you’ll work faster, cleaner, and with more confidence.

Take your time with these exercises, don’t be afraid to adjust nodes and handles, and remember—precision comes with practice. Thanks for following along, and be sure to check back for more Affinity Designer tutorials and design tips.

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