10 Procreate Brush Tips for Stunning Starry Effects

Published on 11 July 2023 8 min read

5. Experiment with Blending Modes

7. Try Different Brush Textures

9. Use Erasing for Highlighting

10. Practice with Different Colors

Creating a dazzling starry night sky on Procreate often comes down to the right techniques and, of course, the right Procreate star brush. Whether you are a budding digital artist or an experienced illustrator, this guide will help you unlock the potential of your Procreate star brush for the most stunning starry effects. So, let's jump right in and start twinkling!

1. Pick the Right Brush

Choosing the right Procreate star brush can make a world of difference to your starry sky drawings. Not all brushes are created equal, and the trick lies in picking one that best suits your style and the effect you want to create.

Free Star Brushes: If you're starting out, Procreate's free star brushes can be a great place to start. They provide a good range of textures and shapes that can help you create a basic starry sky.
Galaxy and Star Brushes: For a more advanced and detailed starry effect, you might want to consider the Galaxy and Star brushes. These brushes offer a more intricate design, suitable for a detailed piece of art.
Custom Star Brushes: If you're not quite finding what you're looking for in the standard sets, don't be afraid to create your own Procreate star brush. Tailoring a brush to your specific needs can provide an unparalleled level of control and uniqueness to your work.

Remember, the key is to experiment with various brushes until you find the one that fits your vision. It's all about trial and error. And who knows? You might end up creating a unique masterpiece with an unexpected brush choice.

2. Adjust the Brush Opacity

Playing around with the opacity of your Procreate star brush can be a game-changer. It's like the difference between seeing stars in a city versus a rural area. In the city, the stars might seem faint due to light pollution, but in the countryside, they're bright and clear. The same concept applies to your digital art.

Lower Opacity: Lowering the opacity of your Procreate star brush can create a faint, faraway star effect. It's like those stars you see on a bright city night—they're there, but you might have to squint a little.
Higher Opacity: On the other hand, a higher opacity can make your stars pop. It's as if you're staring up at the clear, rural sky, where every star shines brightly, demanding your attention.

Adjusting the opacity allows you to create depth and perspective in your starry sky. Some stars can appear closer while others look distant, creating a beautiful and realistic night sky. So, don't be afraid to mix it up and play around with different opacity levels. And remember, the night sky is rarely uniform, so let your Procreate star brush mirror that beautiful chaos.

3. Play with Brush Size

Art is all about perspective, and your Procreate star brush is no exception. By varying the size of your brush, you can create a starry sky that's filled with depth and dimension. It's like looking up at the night sky—some stars appear smaller and some appear larger, but together, they create a breathtaking view.

Smaller Brush: Using a smaller brush size can give the appearance of distant, twinkling stars. It's like those tiny points of light that you see in the farthest corners of the sky. If you want to create a sense of vastness in your artwork, a small brush size can be your best friend.
Larger Brush: A larger Procreate star brush, on the other hand, can make your stars feel closer and more pronounced. These are the stars that draw your eye and make you feel like you could reach out and touch them.

Remember, variety is key. Just as the night sky has stars of different sizes, your art should reflect that. So, experiment with your Procreate star brush sizes and create a night sky that is truly out of this world.

4. Use Layers Effectively

The magic of digital art lies in its layers. With the Procreate app, you can layer your stars for a more dynamic and realistic effect. Think of it as creating a sandwich, but instead of bread and cheese, you're working with layers of stars.

Background Layer: Start with a base layer of small, distant stars using a smaller Procreate star brush. You can think of this layer as the backdrop for your starry sky—those elusive stars that twinkle in the distance.
Foreground Layer: On top of your base, add a layer of larger, brighter stars. These stars would be the ones that appear closer and more luminous, almost like the stars that first catch your eye when you look up at the sky.

This layering technique can give your artwork a sense of depth and realism. By effectively using layers, you can create a starry sky that not only looks stunning but also feels rich and immersive.

5. Experiment with Blending Modes

Blending modes in Procreate are your secret weapon to supercharge your starry night sky. Using the right blending mode with your Procreate star brush can take your art from good to galactic in no time.

Imagine blending modes as different methods of mixing colors. Some modes, like "Multiply", darken your colors, while others like "Screen" lighten them. For starry effects, two blending modes stand out:

Add: This mode is perfect for creating glowing stars. It lightens your star color according to the color information in the layers below, giving your stars a brilliant glow. Remember to lower the opacity of your brush to make the effect more realistic.
Overlay: If you want your stars to have a subtle glow and interact with the colors below, Overlay is your best bet. This mode combines Multiply and Screen modes to create a nuanced, dynamic effect.

Blending modes are all about experimentation. You never know what stunning effects you might create, so don't be afraid to try out different combinations!

6. Utilize the Smudge Tool

Have you ever looked up at a starry night and noticed how the stars seem to twinkle and blur? With Procreate's smudge tool, you can recreate this effect effortlessly. The smudge tool isn't just for fixing mistakes—it can add a dreamy, ethereal quality to your starry sky.

Here's how you can use the smudge tool to enhance your starry effects:

Soft Glow: Select your Procreate star brush and set it to a bright color. Draw a few stars and then select the smudge tool. With a soft brush, gently smudge the edges of the stars. This gives your stars a soft, glowing look, just like real stars!
Shooting Stars: Want to add a shooting star to your night sky? The smudge tool makes it easy. Draw a bright line with your Procreate star brush, then use the smudge tool to drag the color along the path of the shooting star. This creates a beautiful, streaking effect.

The smudge tool is a fantastic way to add depth and movement to your Procreate star brush work. Give it a try, and you'll see how it can truly transform your starry scenes.

7. Try Different Brush Textures

Not all stars look the same, right? Some are bright and twinkling, some are soft and fuzzy, and others are faint specks in the distance. So, when you're using your Procreate star brush, don't limit yourself to just one texture. Procreate offers a variety of brush textures that can help you create a more realistic and visually interesting starry sky.

Here are a couple of brush textures you can experiment with:

Soft Brush: A soft brush is perfect for creating a gentle, glowing star. It gives your stars a hazy appearance, which can add depth to your night sky.
Hard Brush: Want your stars to stand out? Use a hard brush. This creates sharp, bright stars that pop out against the dark sky. Perfect for focal points in your artwork!
Grainy Brush: Looking to create a sky full of distant, specks of stars? A grainy brush texture can help. It creates a subtle, speckled effect that mimics a sky full of faraway stars.

Remember, the magic of Procreate star brush work lies in the details—experiment with different brush textures, and see how it changes the overall feel of your starry sky. It's all about finding what works best for your unique style.

8. Master Stipple Effect

Ever wondered how some digital artists manage to create such realistic starry skies with their Procreate star brush? Well, the secret often lies in the stipple effect. Stippling involves creating patterns with lots of small dots, and it's an excellent technique for creating diverse and dynamic starry skies.

So, how can you master the stipple effect with your Procreate star brush?

Start Small: When you start stippling, it's easy to get carried away and create a star overload. Instead, begin with a small number of dots, gradually adding more to fill in your sky.
Vary Dot Size: Not all stars in the sky are the same size. Some are larger and closer to us, while others are smaller and further away. Vary the size of your stipple dots to create this depth and diversity in your sky.
Use Different Opacity Levels: Similarly, not all stars shine with the same brightness. Some are brighter, while others are dimmer. You can mimic this effect by using different opacity levels for your stipple dots.

With practice and patience, you'll soon master the stipple effect and create more realistic and breathtaking starry skies with your Procreate star brush. Remember, it's all about the details—the more attention you pay to the little things, the more impressive your overall artwork will be.

9. Use Erasing for Highlighting

Let's talk about a tip that might seem a little backwards initially, but trust me—it works. When working with your Procreate star brush, one effective technique is to use the eraser tool for highlighting. Yes, you heard that right—erasing!

What is this sorcery, you might ask? Here's how it works:

Make a Sky Full of Stars: First, use your Procreate star brush to create a dense field of stars. Don't worry about making it perfect—just fill the canvas with tiny specks of light.
Use the Eraser: Next, switch to the eraser tool. With a slightly larger size setting, start erasing some of the stars. As you do this, you're essentially creating 'gaps' or 'voids' in your starry sky, which will serve as your highlights.
Add the Finishing Touches: Finally, go back to your star brush and add a few more stars in the erased areas. These will appear brighter against the dark background, creating the illusion of more intense starlight.

It might seem strange to erase your hard work, but this technique creates a beautiful sense of depth and intensity in your starry skies. Try it out next time you're working with your Procreate star brush, and see the amazing effects you can achieve!

10. Practice with Different Colors

Color can truly make or break your starry sky masterpiece. So, let's dive right into our final tip—experimenting with different colors while using your Procreate star brush.

When we think of stars, our minds often default to whites and yellows. But let's not limit our imagination. The universe is brimming with rich, colorful nebulas and galaxies, so why not bring some of that color into your artwork?

Start with a Base Color: Choose a base color for your starry sky. This could be a deep blue, a vibrant purple, or even a soft pink. Remember, your base color will set the mood for your entire piece, so choose wisely!
Choose Complementary Star Colors: Next, pick out some different colors for your stars. For example, if your base color is a deep blue, you might opt for lighter blues, whites, or even pinks for your stars.
Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment with different color combinations. You might be surprised at some of the beautiful effects you can create. Try adding a touch of green or red to your stars for a truly otherworldly effect!

So there you have it—don't be shy about mixing and matching colors when using your Procreate star brush. By experimenting with different hues, you'll be able to create starry scenes that are truly out of this world!

If you're eager to learn even more about creating stunning starry effects using Procreate, be sure to check out the workshop 'Creating the Cosmos with Procreate' by Jeffrey Thelin. In this workshop, you'll dive deeper into the world of Procreate brushes and learn how to create mesmerizing cosmic art on your iPad. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your digital art skills!