Brush Tool Width Variation

[MBK2006]

I've seen this posted a few times and none of the solutions have worked for me. I want to use the paintbrush to create varied widths on my stroke but when I choose a brush and a width profile it just continues to be the uniform size. I've read posts about turning off "New Artwork Has Basic Appearance", which I've done and drawing with the pencil tool instead, which works but am I to believe there is no other way to get a varied brush stroke?? I've used the brush stroke in this way with the paintbrush tool in older versions of Illustrator and have never encountered this problem before.

[Monika Gause]

Which kind of brush are you using? Width profiles don't work with calligraphy brushes

[MBK2006]

I've tried lots of different brushes and I've also tried creating bristle brushes but can't seem to get it working with anything other than the pencil tool for some reason

[Monika Gause]

Art brushes and pattern brushes work with variable widths.

If you want just a simple stroke with a width profile, then indeed use the pencil tool to draw the line.

[MBK2006]

I have seen many people online using the paintbrush tool with various width, would this mean they are using custom made brushes? I was able to do this with previous versions of Illustrator so this is no longer possible? I'm creating outlines for illustrations so just require a simple stroke with width profile but using the paintbrush rather than the pencil. Thank you

[Monika Gause]

So you just want simple lines with varying widths?

Use a graphic tablet and calligraphy brushes.

Bit Variable width profiles (the ones created with the Width tool and available in the strokes panel) won't work with calligraphy brushes and never have.