How to draw a paperclip in Adobe Illustrator

In this tutorial, we'll draw a paperclip icon using the Polar Grid tool in Adobe Illustrator. This is an intermediate level tutorial.

To begin, open a new document: File Menu > New.
Next, go to Edit > Preferences > Units and select pixels. Click OK.

From the Drawing Tools panel, double click on the Polar Grid icon.

Enter 100 Width and 100 Height.
Enter the number 2 in the Concentric Dividers field, Skew 0%.
Enter the number 0 in the Radial Dividers field.
Leave ‘Create Compound Path From Ellipses’ and ‘Fill Grid’ unchecked.
Click OK.

You should see an object on your art board similar to this:

Select the object with the Selection Tool (V).

Next, double click on the Selection Tool (V) in the Tools Panel.
Enter 0 in the Horizontal field, and 100 in the Vertical field.
Click Copy.

Using the Select Tool (V) select both objects.

From the Object Menu, select Ungroup (Shift+Control/Command+G).

Using the Direct Selection Tool (A), delete the bottom halves of the top circles.
Next delete the top halves of the bottom circles.

Now your drawing should look like this:

Using the Select Tool (V), select the top 3 half circles.
Open the Align Window and select Horizontal Align Right. 

Next, begin deleting line segments.
Delete the outer two lines from the top group.
Delete the inner line from the bottom group:

Now your image should look like this:

Next, select the Pen Tool (P) and join these line segments. 

Using the Pen Tool extend the two ends:

Next, from the Stroke Window, change the Weight to 15. 
Still in the Stroke Window, set the caps to Round Caps.

Change the shape, stroke color and rotate to stylize your paperclip:

 

When your finished, go to the Object Menu > Path > Outline Stroke to convert your line stroke to a shape. Nice job!

---

More illustrations you can make with the Polar Grid Tool

Now that you've got the hang of it, try creating other icons using the Polar Grid tool. This tool makes it easy to create Bulls eyes, Dartboards, Targets, Radars and more. 

---

Vector icons a la carte from only $.99

Shop from thousands of high quality vector icons, providing a consistent look for your project. No subscriptions. Great prices. And free icon sets too.

Shop For Vector Icons

If you like this, please share!

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

---

Also in The Icon Blog