10 Procreate Tips for Realistic Light & Shadow Effects

Published on 7 August 2023 9 min read

Set the scene with an envisioned light source
Use proper brushes for light and shadow
Manipulate opacity for realistic effects
Apply blur effect for distance and depth
Create shadows with clipping mask
Use layer blending modes to enhance lights
Add texture to your shadows
Implement color dodge for intense lights
Play with gradient maps for ambient lighting
Experiment with glow effects for special lighting

Mastering light and shadow in digital art can elevate your work from good to great. It's one of those skills that creates a sense of depth, realism, and mood in your artwork. Today, we're going to walk through 10 practical tips for using Procreate—a popular digital art tool—to create realistic light and shadow effects. Whether you're a seasoned Procreate user or new to the app, you'll find these techniques helpful in your creative journey.

Set the scene with an envisioned light source

One of the first steps in creating realistic light and shadow effects in Procreate is to envision your light source. Where is the light coming from? Is it a soft, diffused light from a cloudy sky or intense, direct light from a midday sun? The direction and intensity of the light source will greatly influence how you apply light and shadow to your composition.

Let's break down how to do this:

Decide on the direction of the light: Draw an arrow on a separate layer to represent the direction of the light. This will serve as a constant reminder of where the light is coming from.
Establish the intensity of the light: Is it a bright, sunny day or a dim, moonlit night? This will influence the contrast between light and shadow in your artwork.
Consider the type of light: Is it natural or artificial? Natural light tends to be warmer and changes throughout the day, while artificial light can range from the cool fluorescents of a supermarket to the warm glow of a candle.

By taking the time to establish your light source at the beginning, you'll create a more convincing scene. This step is a fundamental part of mastering Procreate light and shadow techniques.

Use proper brushes for light and shadow

Not all brushes are created equal—especially when it comes to painting light and shadow in Procreate. There's a vast selection of brushes available in Procreate, each with its own unique properties. So, how do you choose the right one?

Here are some tips:

Choose a brush based on the texture you want: If you're painting a rough surface, like a tree bark or a brick wall, you might want to choose a textured brush. For smoother surfaces, like glass or metal, a soft brush might be more appropriate.
Experiment with different opacity levels: Brushes with lower opacity can help you build up layers of light and shadow gradually, resulting in a more realistic effect.
Try different brush sizes: Larger brushes can cover a wide area quickly, while smaller brushes allow for more detailed work. But remember, it's not about the size of the brush—it's how you use it!

Finding the right brush can be a bit like Goldilocks and the Three Bears—you have to try a few until you find the one that's just right. But once you find it, it can make a world of difference in your Procreate light and shadow techniques.

Manipulate opacity for realistic effects

Have you ever noticed how some things just seem more real? Well, when it comes to adding depth and dimension to your artwork, manipulating opacity is your secret weapon. Just as an illusionist uses smoke and mirrors to create realism, you can use opacity in Procreate to create more realistic light and shadow effects.

Here's how you can do it:

Start with a lower opacity: Just like a painter starts with a thin layer of paint, you should start with a lower opacity. This allows you to build up your light and shadow effects gradually.
Build up opacity gradually: Don't rush it. Take your time and gradually increase the opacity as you add more layers. This will give your light and shadow effects a more realistic feel.
Blend your layers: Once you've built up your layers, use the blending tool to smooth out any harsh edges. This will give your light and shadow effects a more natural look.

Remember, the key to successful Procreate light and shadow techniques is patience and practice. So, don't be afraid to experiment with different opacity levels and see what works best for your artwork.

Apply blur effect for distance and depth

Imagine you're standing on a mountain top, looking out at the vast landscape. Objects in the distance appear softer, less detailed than those up close, right? This is because of a little thing called atmospheric perspective. We can mimic this effect in our Procreate artwork by applying a blur effect to our light and shadow elements. Let's see how:

Choose your subject: First things first, decide what parts of your artwork are in the distance and which are up close. Your distant objects will be the ones we apply the blur effect to.
Select the blur tool: Procreate has a handy tool called "Gaussian Blur". With this tool selected, you can adjust the amount of blur to apply to your selected areas. Less is often more; a subtle blur can often be more effective than a heavy one.
Apply the effect: Now for the fun part - apply the blur effect to your chosen areas. Remember, you're trying to mimic the natural blurring that occurs with distance, so keep your close-up objects sharp and clear.

By applying the blur effect wisely, you can create a sense of depth and distance in your artwork, making your Procreate light and shadow techniques even more effective. So, why not give it a try?

Create shadows with clipping mask

Shadows are a big part of the realism game. They give a sense of form, depth, and grounding to your artwork. But creating shadows can be a bit tricky, right? Well, not if you know how to use a clipping mask in Procreate.

Create a new layer: To start off, make a new layer above the one you want to add shadows to. This will be your "shadow layer".
Turn on clipping mask: Tap on the new layer and select "Clipping Mask". This will ensure that your shadows only appear on the artwork in the layer beneath, and not outside of it.
Choose your shadow color: Next, pick a color for your shadows. Remember, shadows aren't always black. Depending on your light source, they could be any color. Experiment to find what works best for your artwork.
Brush in your shadows: Now, it's time to add your shadows. Using a soft brush, start painting on your shadow layer. Because you're using a clipping mask, your shadows will only appear on your artwork, giving a neat and realistic effect.

And that's it! You've now mastered one of the most practical Procreate light and shadow techniques. Remember, practice makes perfect. So, keep experimenting with clipping masks in different scenarios to see how they enhance your artwork.

Use layer blending modes to enhance lights

Ever wondered how some digital artworks have such vibrant, lifelike lights? The secret often lies in using layer blending modes. Here's a quick guide on how you can use this feature to enhance the lights in your Procreate art.

Create a new layer: Just like with shadows, start by creating a new layer above your artwork. This will be your "light layer".
Select a blending mode: Tap on the 'N' button on your layer panel. This will open up a list of blending modes. Each mode interacts differently with the colors beneath it. For lights, modes like 'Add', 'Lighten', and 'Screen' often work well. But don't be afraid to experiment with others!
Pick your light color: Choose a color for your lights. Depending on your art, this could be anything from soft yellows for sunlight, to cool blues for moonlight, to vibrant pinks for neon lights.
Start painting your lights: Using a soft brush, start painting on your light layer. You'll see your lights blend with your artwork, creating a luminous, realistic effect.

And there you have it. Another one of the Procreate light and shadow techniques in your toolkit. Keep in mind that less is often more when it comes to lights. So, use them sparingly to highlight the most important parts of your artwork.

Add texture to your shadows

Next up in our exploration of Procreate light and shadow techniques, let's talk texture. Adding texture to your shadows can make a world of difference. It adds depth, makes your work look more realistic, and creates a fascinating visual experience for the viewer. So, how do you add texture to your shadows in Procreate? Let's break it down.

Create a textured brush: Procreate comes with a vast library of brushes. Choose one with a texture you like, or customize your own brush in the brush library.
Apply your shadow: On a new layer, use your textured brush to apply your shadow. Remember to consider your light source while doing this. Shadows should be darker and more concentrated where the object blocks the light most directly.
Adjust opacity and blending mode: If the shadow looks too harsh, adjust the layer's opacity. You can also play around with the layer's blending mode to see how different modes interact with the colors of your artwork.

And just like that, you've added an extra touch of realism to your piece. Adding texture to your shadows is a simple yet effective trick, and it's one more tool in your Procreate light and shadow techniques arsenal. Remember, art is all about expressing yourself, so don't be afraid to experiment with different textures and see what works best for you.

Implement color dodge for intense lights

Ready for more Procreate light and shadow techniques? Let's dive into one of my favorites: using color dodge for intense lights. If you're looking to create a dramatic effect or make your artwork pop, this technique is your secret weapon. But, what exactly is color dodge, and how do you use it in Procreate?

Understand color dodge: In simple terms, color dodge is a blending mode that lightens your base color to reflect the source color. It creates intense, saturated mid-tones and brighter highlights, making it perfect for creating striking light effects.
Select color dodge: To use color dodge in Procreate, select the layer you want to apply the effect to, then click on the 'N' symbol. A dropdown menu with different blending modes will appear. Scroll down until you find 'Color Dodge' and select it.
Apply your light: Now, you can use your brush to paint where you want the light to appear. You'll notice the color dodge effect intensifies the light areas and creates a vibrant, glowing effect.

And there you have it! With color dodge, you can create some truly stunning light effects. Remember, like any tool, the key is to use it in moderation. Too much of it can easily overpower your piece. As always, don't forget to have fun and play around with different ideas - after all, Procreate is a playground for your imagination. Keep practicing, and you'll soon be a master of Procreate light and shadow techniques.

Play with gradient maps for ambient lighting

Continuing with our journey through Procreate light and shadow techniques, let's discuss gradient maps. Gradient maps are a fantastic tool for creating ambient lighting in your artwork. Not sure what a gradient map is or how to use it? Don't worry, we've got you covered.

Decoding gradient maps: A gradient map applies a range of colors to your image based on its existing grayscale values. Lighter areas get colors from one end of the gradient, darker areas from the opposite end, and midtones get a mix. This range of colors can help give the illusion of ambient lighting.
Accessing gradient maps: In Procreate, tap on the magic wand icon for adjustments, then select 'Gradient Map' from the dropdown menu.
Choose your gradient: Procreate provides a range of preset gradients to choose from, but you can also create your own. Select one that complements your art's color scheme and the type of lighting you're trying to emulate.
Apply and adjust: Once you've selected your gradient, paint it onto your image. You can adjust the intensity and balance of your gradient map to achieve your desired result.

There you have it! Gradient maps are a simple, yet powerful tool for creating ambient lighting effects. Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you experiment with these Procreate light and shadow techniques, the better you'll become. So, get out there and start playing with gradient maps—you'll be amazed at the difference they can make in your artwork.

Experiment with glow effects for special lighting

Let's move forward in our exploration of Procreate light and shadow techniques by focusing on something a bit more magical - glow effects. Glow effects can add a touch of fantasy and magic to your creations, making them stand out.

Understanding glow effects: Glow effects are a fun way to add a luminous quality to elements in your artwork. They can make objects appear as if they're radiating light, perfect for creating magical, otherworldly scenes, or for simply highlighting important features.
Creating a glow: First, select the object you want to glow. Create a new layer beneath it, then with a soft, low-opacity brush, paint the glow in a color that matches the light source. This is your base glow.
Enhancing the glow: To create a more intense glow, duplicate the base glow layer, then apply a Gaussian blur to it. Adjust the blur until you achieve the desired intensity.
Refining the glow: For a refined effect, add another layer above the original object, use a soft brush to apply white at the center of the glow. This technique gives the illusion that the object is radiating light, enhancing the glow effect.

So, why not give it a try? It might take a bit of practice to get right, but once you've mastered this Procreate light and shadow technique, you'll find it's a wonderful addition to your digital art toolbox. Remember, the key to a great glow effect is subtlety - you're aiming to enhance your artwork, not overpower it. Happy glowing!

If you're looking to improve your skills in creating realistic light and shadow effects in Procreate, don't miss the workshop 'Shadow Casting In Perspective Like A Pro' by Roberto Bernal. This workshop will provide you with essential techniques and knowledge to master the art of shadow casting and enhance the realism of your artwork.