whats the best way of creating vector images in illustrator??
is it just simple using the pen tool??

thats what i do.


There's alot of different techniques, but you should start practicing working with the pen tool

Yeah knowing the pen tool and understanding the bezier curve is the backbone of Illustrator and other illustration programs in its class.

Another helpful was of creating vectors is by using the Pathfinder Palette.

Take basic shapes and use the trim, merge and other pathfinder actions and you will be able to come up with other stuff as well...

yeah exactly, pathfinder is one of the best features in AI (after the gradient mesh), but before you start using it, you gotta know how to create them smooth shapes, right ;)