Vector Drawing

Illustrator Vector Drawing and pen tool...
select pen tool (p) and click to start path 
click and drag to create bezier curves.
To add points to the pathway click along the line (+)
To remove points, click them (-)
To cut path select scissors and click on path
To convert the path (shift C)
To move / adjust existing points select the second arrow tool and click on the anchor points


Cursors


website link to illustrator pen tool guide


Vector Drawing...
Import an image into illustrator
create a new layer and start drawing
layers can be turned on and off to make it easier to work
it may in most cases be easier to draw using just the outline switched on rather than the fill.
to create a completely straight line hold shift
alt + apple key to move on after bezier curve


To test out the pen tool and get an idea of how to use it to create curves I drew around the template of the lettering below following the instructions. 

Taking a photo of myself with the web cam then opening it in illustrator I tried out the pen tool by testing out drawing layers of colour to create a vector.