Actually, I use vector based images all the time - all the logos in the lumiblue theme were done that way. I use Corel Draw instead of Adobe Illustrator, but both packages are equally powerful, they are just different in how you access the functionality.
The pen tool is easy, it's just different. Too many people try to DRAW with it, and that's not what it's for. Pick a line that you want to duplicate that has a smooth curve to it, and draw a STRAIGHT line from the start point to the end point. Then transform the line to a curve, and drag the center of the line to match the curve of the picture you are duplicating.
I could likely do up a tutorial if there was enough interest...
