5 Procreate Techniques for Creating Stunning Comic Book Art

Contents

1. Create Dynamic Panels
2. Use Clipping Masks for Coloring
3. Draw with Perspective Grids
4. Add Texture to Your Art
5. Use Blend Modes for Shading and Lighting

If you've ever dreamt of creating your own comic book art, then Procreate on your iPad is a game-changer. This powerful digital illustration app has all the tools you need to bring your comic book dreams to life. In this blog post, we're going to explore five Procreate techniques that can take your comic book art to the next level.

1. Create Dynamic Panels

When it comes to Procreate comic book art, creating dynamic panels is the first step to captivating your audience. Panels are the building blocks of your comic book's narrative, and the way you design and arrange them can have a big impact on how your story unfolds.

Choosing Panel Layouts

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to setting up your comic book panels. The layout you choose should serve the story you're trying to tell. For instance, a simple, grid-like arrangement can help maintain a steady pace, while a more unconventional layout can add drama and excitement.

• Grid Layout: This classic layout is perfect for straightforward storytelling. It's clean, orderly, and easy for readers to follow.
• Dynamic Layout: If you want to add a little more excitement to your Procreate comic book art, try using a dynamic layout. This could mean panels of different shapes and sizes, or panels that overlap and interact with each other.

Drawing Your Panels

You don't need to be a professional artist to draw your panels in Procreate. It’s as simple as selecting the rectangle tool, choosing your preferred size and shape, and drawing the panel on your canvas. You can also adjust the thickness of the panel borders to suit your style.

Arranging Your Panels

Once you've drawn your panels, the fun really begins. You can move, resize, and rotate your panels to create a layout that serves your story. Remember, the goal is to guide your reader's eye through the story in a way that makes sense, and this can often be accomplished through thoughtful panel arrangement.

Mastering the art of creating dynamic panels in Procreate can truly elevate your comic book art. So grab your iPad, fire up Procreate, and start experimenting with different panel layouts. Before you know it, you'll be creating Procreate comic book art that's not just visually stunning, but also narratively compelling.

2. Use Clipping Masks for Coloring

Coloring is a key aspect of Procreate comic book art. It brings your characters and scenes to life. But did you know you could make your coloring process smoother and more efficient? The secret lies in using clipping masks.

Understanding Clipping Masks

Think of clipping masks as a magical tool that lets you color within the lines without even trying. When you create a clipping mask, you can only color within the boundaries of the layer below it. So if you're coloring a superhero's cape, for example, you can't accidentally color outside the lines of the cape.

Setting Up Your Clipping Masks

Setting up a clipping mask in Procreate is surprisingly easy. All you need to do is create a new layer above the one you want to color, tap on it, and select "Clipping Mask". The new layer will now "clip" to the layer below, meaning any colors you apply will stay within the boundaries of the lower layer.

Coloring With Clipping Masks

Once you've set up your clipping mask, you can start coloring. You can use any brush you like, and you can try different colors and shades. The best part? You don't have to worry about going outside the lines. It’s a real game changer for your Procreate comic book art.

Using clipping masks for coloring can help you achieve a clean, professional look in your Procreate comic book art. It's a simple technique, but it can have a big impact on your final product. So why not give it a try? Your future self (and your art) will thank you!

3. Draw with Perspective Grids

Now that your coloring game is top-notch, let's level up your drawing skills. When creating Procreate comic book art, perspective is key. It's what makes a flat image on a page feel like a window into a three-dimensional world. And Procreate has a fantastic tool to help you nail it—perspective grids.

What Are Perspective Grids?

As the name suggests, perspective grids are gridlines that you can overlay on your canvas. They guide you in creating depth and dimension in your drawings. They're like the training wheels of drawing in perspective—helpful guides that keep you on track.

Setting Up a Perspective Grid

To set up a perspective grid in Procreate, tap on the "Actions" menu, then "Canvas", and finally "Edit Drawing Guide". Here, you can adjust the grid size and opacity to your liking. You can also set up multiple vanishing points for complex scenes.

Drawing with Perspective Grids

Once you've set up your grid, it's time to start drawing. The gridlines lead to your vanishing points, showing you how to skew and scale objects to create the illusion of depth. It's like having a map that shows you exactly how to draw your Procreate comic book art in 3D.

Mastering perspective can be a challenge, but with the help of Procreate's perspective grids, you're well on your way. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. After all, every great comic book artist started somewhere, right?

4. Add Texture to Your Art

So, your panels are dynamic, your colors are vibrant, and your perspective is on point. What's next? Texture. Adding texture to your Procreate comic book art can take it from good to great. It adds a layer of richness and depth that flat colors alone can't achieve.

What is Texture in Art?

Texture refers to the surface quality of an object. In art, it's the illusion of physical texture. It could be the grain of a wooden table, the roughness of a brick wall, or the smoothness of a superhero's suit. It's all about the small details that make your art feel tangible and real.

Finding Textures in Procreate

Procreate comes packed with a variety of brushes that you can use to apply textures. You can find them in the brush library under the 'Textures' category. Each brush has a unique texture effect, so feel free to explore and see which ones work best for your comic book art.

Applying Textures in Procreate

To apply texture, select your texture brush and the color you want. Then, simply brush over the area where you want to add the texture. But remember, subtlety is key. You don't want to overwhelm your art with texture. Instead, use it to enhance and add interest to your work.

Texture can make your Procreate comic book art feel more immersive and engaging. So, go ahead and give it a try. Who knows, you might just find it's the missing piece that takes your art to the next level.

5. Use Blend Modes for Shading and Lighting

Last but not least, let's shine some light on blend modes. No pun intended. Blend modes in Procreate are magic wands that can instantly enhance your comic book art. They can help you create realistic shadows and highlights, and give your art the depth and volume it needs to stand out.

Understanding Blend Modes

Blend modes are settings that change how two layers interact with each other. In simpler terms, they determine how the color on one layer mixes with the color on the layer below it. Procreate offers a variety of blend modes, each with its own unique effect. Some darken, some lighten, and some even change the color entirely.

Using Blend Modes for Shading

For shading, you'll want to use blend modes that darken, such as Multiply or Linear Burn. To do this, create a new layer above your base color layer, set its blend mode to Multiply or Linear Burn, and paint your shadows. This will make your shadows blend more naturally with your base colors and give your Procreate comic book art a more three-dimensional look.

Using Blend Modes for Lighting

For lighting or highlights, use blend modes that lighten, such as Add or Screen. The process is similar to shading. Create a new layer, set its blend mode to Add or Screen, and paint your highlights. This will give your art a luminous quality that can make it really pop.

And there you have it. By using blend modes for shading and lighting, you can add depth and volume to your Procreate comic book art. So, why not give it a shot? You might be surprised by the results.

If you enjoyed learning about Procreate techniques for creating stunning comic book art, don't miss the workshop '1-2-3 Comics' by Ruby Elliot. This workshop will further enhance your comic creation skills and provide you with valuable insights on how to bring your comic book characters to life.