10 Essential Procreate Brushes for Digital Art

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 8 min read

1. Explore the Sketching Brush

3. Experiment with the Painting Brush

4. Dive into the Airbrushing Tools

5. Apply the Calligraphy Brush

7. Get Creative with the Abstract Brush

8. Manipulate the Charcoal Brush

10. Experiment with the Luminance Brushes

Procreate has become a go-to choice for digital artists, and it's easy to see why. With its plethora of versatile brushes, it offers a seamless and enjoyable digital art experience. One of the features that sets Procreate apart is its blending brushes. The art of blending colors like a pro becomes a breeze with Procreate blending brushes, making it a must-have in your digital art toolbox. This blog will walk you through the 10 essential Procreate brushes, including the ins and outs of Procreate blending brushes, to help you level up your digital art game.

1. Explore the Sketching Brush

Let's start our journey with the Sketching Brush. It may seem basic, but don't let that fool you. It's one of the most versatile tools in your Procreate arsenal and a good friend to Procreate blending brushes.

The Sketching Brush is your go-to tool for laying down the groundwork of your artwork. It's perfect for creating those initial lines and shapes that guide the rest of your creation process. Plus, it pairs well with Procreate blending brushes, adding depth and dimension to your sketches.

Why Use the Sketching Brush?

Control: It offers great control over line thickness, making it ideal for both rough sketches and detailed line work.
Variety: With a range of options available, from pencil to pastel, you can choose the right texture for your work.
Blending: When used with Procreate blending brushes, it can create smooth transitions between colors and tones, giving your artwork a more natural look.

In a nutshell, the Sketching Brush is an artist's best friend. So, grab your digital pencil and start sketching—you might just find it's your new favorite tool.

2. Navigate the Inking Brush

Moving on to the second essential tool in our list— the Inking Brush. If you've ever wanted to give your digital art that classic inked look, this is the brush for you. It's also another versatile partner to your Procreate blending brushes.

The Inking Brush is perfect for creating clean, crisp lines that mimic the look of traditional ink pens. But that's not all. With a bit of help from your Procreate blending brushes, you can also use it for shading, giving your artwork a unique, inky texture.

Why Use the Inking Brush?

Line Variation: It allows you to easily vary line weight, from thin, delicate lines to thick, bold strokes. This gives your art depth and dynamism.
Sharp Edges: It's great for producing sharp, well-defined edges, which is handy when you're working on intricate designs or lettering.
Blending: Used with Procreate blending brushes, it can create a range of interesting effects. Try blending different colors of ink for a stunning, multi-tonal effect.

So, if you're aiming for that inked-up style in your digital art, don't overlook the Inking Brush. It's a powerful tool that can add a whole new dimension to your creations.

3. Experiment with the Painting Brush

Our third essential tool is the Painting Brush. This brush is all about adding color and richness to your digital artwork. Plus, it's a key player when it comes to using Procreate blending brushes.

The Painting Brush is designed to mimic the look and feel of real paint. With this brush, you can create broad strokes of color, detailed brushwork, and everything in between. And, when used in combination with Procreate blending brushes, it can help you achieve some pretty amazing effects.

Why Use the Painting Brush?

Color Application: The Painting Brush allows you to apply color in a way that feels authentic and natural, just like real paint.
Texture: You can create a variety of textures with the Painting Brush, from smooth, blended color to rough, textured strokes. This can add a lot of character to your artwork.
Blending: This brush is excellent for blending colors together. You can create smooth gradients or mix colors together for a more dynamic effect. Remember, your Procreate blending brushes are your allies here!

The Painting Brush is a versatile tool that can elevate your digital art to new heights. Don’t be afraid to experiment with it and see what works best for your style.

4. Dive into the Airbrushing Tools

Next up, let's take a look at the Airbrushing Tools. These brushes are perfect for creating smooth gradients and soft shadows. But, their true power shines when used with Procreate blending brushes.

Like the soft whisper of a breeze or the gentle sweep of a feather, the Airbrushing Tools can add a subtle touch of magic to your digital art.

Why Use Airbrushing Tools?

Smooth Gradients: One of the standout features of the Airbrushing Tools is their ability to create smooth, soft gradients. This can add depth and realism to your artwork.
Shadows and Highlights: These tools are also fantastic for adding shadows and highlights to your art. Just a few strokes can create a sense of depth and dimension.
Blending: Last but not least, Airbrushing Tools are fantastic for blending. With the help of your trusty Procreate blending brushes, you can seamlessly merge colors and create stunning transitions.

So, don't hold back! Dive in and start exploring what the Airbrushing Tools can do. You might be surprised at the depth and dimension they can add to your digital art.

5. Apply the Calligraphy Brush

Now let's pick up the Calligraphy Brush. This is no ordinary brush—this is a tool that can turn words into art. If you're aiming for an elegant, stylized look, then this is the brush for you. And when paired with Procreate blending brushes, the effects can be truly mesmerizing.

What Makes the Calligraphy Brush Unique?

Stroke Variation: The Calligraphy Brush is designed to mimic the effect of a traditional calligraphy pen. This means that the pressure you apply changes the thickness of the line. Light pressure gives you thin lines, while heavy pressure results in thicker lines.
Elegance: With this brush, every stroke is graceful and flowing. It adds an elegant touch to any piece of digital art.
Blending: When used with Procreate blending brushes, the Calligraphy Brush can create stunning effects. Blend colors together for a watercolor effect or create smooth gradients for a soft, romantic look.

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you use the Calligraphy Brush, the better you'll get at controlling the pressure and creating beautiful, flowing lines. So, why not give it a try? Your digital art might just thank you for it.

6. Use the Textured Brushes

Next on our list is the Textured Brushes. These aren't your run-of-the-mill brushes. They are like the magic wand of the digital art world. They bring depth, realism, and a touch of whimsy to your canvas. And when used in conjunction with Procreate blending brushes, they can elevate your work to new heights.

What Sets Textured Brushes Apart?

Realism: Want to mimic the look of a charcoal sketch or a watercolor painting? The Textured Brushes have got you covered. They can replicate the effect of various traditional art media, making your digital art look incredibly realistic.
Versatility: From rough to smooth, from subtle to bold—the range of textures you can create with these brushes is impressive. Whether you're drawing a furry creature or painting a rocky landscape, there's a texture brush for that.
Blending: Procreate blending brushes work wonders with Textured Brushes. Blending with textures can create some unique and interesting effects. For example, blending colors on a textured brush can give the illusion of paint mixing on a rough canvas.

Think of Textured Brushes as the spices in a dish—they add that extra zing that makes your digital art stand out. So, if you haven't done so yet, it's time to explore the world of Textured Brushes. Your art will definitely be all the richer for it.

7. Get Creative with the Abstract Brush

Entering the realm of Abstract Brushes is like stepping into a world of boundless creativity. These brushes are a bit like wild horses — untamed, full of energy, and capable of producing some truly breathtaking art. Especially when used alongside Procreate blending brushes, the Abstract Brushes can turn your digital canvas into a playground of colors, shapes, and forms.

What Makes Abstract Brushes Special?

Unpredictability: Abstract Brushes are unpredictable, and that's what makes them so exciting. You never know exactly what you're going to get, and this element of surprise can ignite your creativity in unexpected ways.
Expressiveness: These brushes are perfect for letting your emotions flow onto the canvas. Feeling happy? Use an Abstract Brush to paint a riot of colors. Feeling gloomy? A few strokes of a dark, moody Abstract Brush can perfectly capture your mood.
Blending: Abstract Brushes and Procreate blending brushes are a match made in digital art heaven. When you blend abstract shapes and colors, you can create some truly mesmerizing effects. It's like watching a beautiful chaos unfold before your eyes.

Abstract Brushes aren't for the faint-hearted. They require you to let go of control, embrace the unexpected, and just have fun with your art. So why not give them a try? You might discover a whole new way of expressing your creativity.

8. Manipulate the Charcoal Brush

Alright, let's shift gears and talk about the Charcoal Brush. This brush is perfect for those of you who love the feel of traditional art but also enjoy the convenience of digital tools. The Charcoal Brush in Procreate is like having a charcoal stick that never runs out, doesn't create a mess, and can be used in combination with other tools like Procreate blending brushes.

Why Charcoal Brushes?

Texture: Charcoal Brushes are all about texture. The rough, gritty feel of charcoal can add a lovely touch to your digital art, making it feel more organic and tactile.
Versatility: From light, delicate shading to bold, expressive strokes, the Charcoal Brush can do it all. It's a versatile tool that can adapt to your unique art style.
Blending: Here's where Procreate blending brushes come in. Use them to smudge and blend your charcoal strokes, creating a range of effects from subtle gradients to dramatic shadows.

So, the next time you're in the mood for some traditional art vibes, why not reach for the Charcoal Brush? Pair it with Procreate blending brushes, and you're all set to create some stunning, textured art. Trust me, your digital canvas will thank you for it.

9. Master the Element Brushes

Next up on our essential Procreate brush list are the Element Brushes. Imagine being able to paint with fire, water, clouds, or even stars. Sounds cool, right? Well, that's precisely what the Element Brushes in Procreate let you do.

What Makes Element Brushes Special?

Unique Effects: With Element Brushes, you can add unique effects to your artwork. Fancy some twinkling stars in your night sky? Or maybe a fiery phoenix rising from the ashes? Element Brushes have got you covered.
Simplicity: Despite their complex appearance, Element Brushes are surprisingly easy to use. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to paint with stars or a meteorologist to create clouds. With a few strokes, you can add these stunning effects to your artwork.
Blendability: Like with the Charcoal Brush, Procreate blending brushes can be used with Element Brushes too. You can blend different elements together or soften the edges of your elements to make them look more natural.

So, why not add a dash of magic to your next digital art project with Element Brushes? Whether you're creating a fantasy landscape or a sci-fi scene, these brushes can bring your vision to life. Combine them with Procreate blending brushes, and you have yourself a recipe for some truly spectacular artwork.

10. Experiment with the Luminance Brushes

Finally, we reach the last but certainly not the least, the Luminance Brushes. If you're looking to add some shine, glow, or simply a touch of light to your digital art piece, then these brushes are your new best friends.

Why Use Luminance Brushes?

Light Effects: Whether you want to create a striking neon sign, a warm sunrise, a glowing candle, or the sparkle of a diamond, Luminance Brushes can help you achieve these effects.
User-Friendly: Similar to the Element Brushes, these brushes are easy to use. With a few strokes, you can add a magical glow to any part of your artwork.
Blend for More Realism: Remember our Procreate blending brushes? You can use them here too! Blending with Luminance Brushes adds a soft, realistic glow, enhancing the overall look of your digital painting.

By now, you must be eager to try out all these fantastic brushes. Remember, the key to mastering any brush, including Procreate blending brushes, is consistent practice and experimentation. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your digital pen and start creating!

If you're looking to expand your skills in digital art, especially using Procreate, don't miss the workshop 'Animating with Procreate and Photoshop' by Nyanza. In this workshop, you'll learn how to create eye-catching animations using both Procreate and Photoshop, further enhancing your digital art capabilities.