If you are frustrated with the Pen Tool, a simple tip is to break down the process into 2 Steps. The first step is to just apply Anchor Points to the start-curve-end of a line or path. The second step is to adjust the Curves with the Anchor Point Tool or Smooth Curve Button in the Control Panel.

Many of you are looking to use your Tablet with Adobe Illustrator. I am going to recommend breaking down your current tablet workflow into multiple steps. I do see a lot of mistakes when people try to combine too many steps all at once with their new tablets. 

I will use Shapes, Pencil, and Pen Tools in Adobe Illustrator as my Primary Building Tools. Notice I have simplified my drawings and sketches to make this step feel like tracing. Understand the Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator.

I will apply Brush Libraries for my Line Variation. Notice I am using Expanded Editing Tools to clean up my Paths before moving on to the Coloring Step. Understand and Apply Live and Expanded Editing Tools in Adobe Illustrator.

I will use Live Paint to create my Basic Fills or Flat Color Layer. Notice the steps to select and create a Live Paint Group. Understand Basic to Advanced Coloring Techniques in Adobe Illustrator.

Refer to our Brushes Resource Guide for saving brush libraries, applying brushes, and using the Shape Builder tool in Adobe Illustrator.

Refer to our Halftones Resource Guide for assistance with importing halftones, applying halftones, resizing pattern fills, and coloring halftones in Adobe Illustrator.

Refer to our Textures Resource Guide for assistance in placing textures, coloring BMP textures, using clipping masks, and applying textures with opacity masks in Adobe Illustrator.