You can use the AddStrip() method of an image list (you have to use one indeed):

VB Code:
  1. ImageList1.Images.AddStrip(New System.Windows.Forms.PictureBox().Image.FromFile("C:\216.gif"))
and then you can assign the image index to one of your buttons.

Weird thing is that you never specify the number of images in the image strip - but AddStrip() figures it out anyway.