What you use as an input device for Illustrator can be something huge for some of you out there.
The two I am talking about here are a mouse and a graphics tablet.
First off is your mouse, which you use on a daily basis. It's your trusty pal. Using a mouse to draw in Illustrator is not that hard, and it usually is because you already know how to use it.

The downside to a mouse (if there is a downside) is the lack of organic shapes you can draw, its hard for beginners to try to draw those swirly shapes. I still have a hard time doing so! But if you practice enough you can do them.

For those that are not aware of what a tablet this is what it looks like:

Graphic tablets usually come with the tablet, a pen and a mouse. You can create more organic shapes and mimic lines you draw on paper (or other surfaces) depending on how hard you press down on the pen. A tablet can also put less stress on your wrist. The down side? They take a bit getting used to because of the surface of the tablet.

A comparison of mouse and tablet

Its Up To You

It really is up to you to find what you are comfortable drawing with. Neither one is better than the other, some people can create some really awesome pieces just using a mouse or just using a tablet. Now if you have a laptop, I would recommend looking into getting a mouse at least. Trying to draw with the trackpad is pretty hard and not very comfortable.

Before you can even think about taking your mouse or tablet pen to Illustrator, you need to sketch some ideas out. Granted there are some pretty talented people that can bang out an image/drawing out like nobody's business without taking a pencil/pen to paper, but the reality is most people need to get a clear idea of what they are drawing. Don't worry if you aren't the best drawer in the world, I used to have classmates that couldn't draw for beans but could make 3D models that were seriously impressive. Sketching out ideas helps you hash out bad ideas and bring details into good ones.

This was a beginning sketch for the header of the site. I was planning on having a monkey hanging on to a banner in the sky, with a star floating next to its head. But I quickly realized that I have done the whole sky thing before, so I decided to scrap that idea and go with the pencil, swirly, happy face theme. I wouldn't have realized this without sketching it out first.

Tips On Drawing

In Illustrator, there are two ways to draw, with the pen tool or using shapes (or a combination of the two). Sketching helps you go through the process of fleshing out a drawing at least once, so you have an idea on how to do it in Illustrator later.

I just wanted to make a note of what you can use to sketch. I tend to use Col-Erase pencils by Prismacolor, but this is just a preference. You can use a simple ball point pen (just go light on the beginning shapes), or a regular pencil (i've used all before) you'll find what you like with more sketching.

Draw It Out

So lets get sketching!

Start off with shapes that make up the final drawing. I used 5 circles make up the skeleton of the star. After we outline the star to make the actual shape.

Clean up the inside and the main outline by using an eraser. Then we'll add eyes and a mouth!

Usually I will darken up the outline with pen if I used pencil, or a pencil if I used a Col-Erase. This step is optional, but it gives a clear outline of what the you want your final drawing to look like.

Wait A Second

"All this just to draw in Illustrator?!"
Yes, like I mentioned before, sketching helps you go through the process of drawing an object, so you'll have an easier time drawing it out in Illustrator.
Building out with shapes in a sketch is the same as taking shapes in Illustrator  and building a star that way, rather than using the preset star.
The same applies for drawing an outline for the star, its the same as using the pen tool in Illustrator.

Go Outside!

Instead of going online, turn off that computer and head outside!
You can find loads of inspiration by going out, this can range from a color palette to an object to draw.

Take this quilt for example, it was taken at the local county fair (this picture does no justice to the real thing) there is almost an instant palette there with each colored hectagon, as well as colors that work well them.

In fact the way the hectagons off set from the center gave me the idea for the color circles in header of this blog!

You don't need to go that far either, anything in a room or just outside in the yard can help if you are drained of all creative energy.

This picture was taken out in the yard, colors look somewhat familiar? They should! they were used for this site!

No Fancy Equipment Needed!

Now you might be saying that you need a fancy camera to capture images, the fact is you don't. I took my picture with a four year old camera, and with my phone. If all else fail, if it is a tangible object, take it with you (as long its legal to do so and small enough that it isn't a hindrance). A leaf or a flower, a wooden spoon, doesn't matter as long as it provides you with what you're looking for.

What Else Can I Do?

So far i've touched slightly on colors and objects, but remember you can also look for textures and patterns. Its best just to take a camera of sorts and just capture anything that catches you're attention, because you never know when you might need it. again want a texture like dirt and you don't have a camera, just take a jar with you and scoop it up.

Oooh, sand, but it could used fro a project in the future.

And here the streamers from the piñata make a nice square pattern, and the jarred guavas are a squishy pattern.

Remember

Going out should be accompanied by research on the internet, but only after you've gone out. I take my style of drawing from "Kawaii" (cute) drawings from Japan.

Without the internet I would have never discovered this style. So take researching on the internet with a grain of salt. There are great and some not so great resources out there.
Even if you aren't working on a project, or drawing just for fun, get out there and make a collection or reference that uniquely suits your needs and the way you see things.