5 Procreate Templates to Make Your Digital Art Stand Out

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 7 min read

Digital art has been revolutionized by the introduction of Procreate templates. With diverse options at your disposal, you can bring your artistic vision to life in ways you never thought possible. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner trying to find your style, Procreate templates are a game changer. Let's dive into five of them that can make your digital art stand out.

1. Using the Basic Template

The Basic Procreate template is your starting point. It's like a blank canvas waiting for you to fill it with your artistic ideas. Let's break it down into three key aspects - layers, brushes, and colors.

Understanding Layers

Think of layers as clear sheets stacked upon each other. Each one adds a new element to your artwork without disturbing what's below. You can:

Move and adjust each layer independently.
Switch the visibility of layers on and off to test different looks.
Use the opacity slider to control how much of a layer shows through.

Remember: the more you play around with layers, the more control you'll have over your final piece.

Playing with Brushes

Brushes are your digital paintbrushes, pens, pencils, and more. The basic Procreate template offers a wide variety of brushes to help you create different effects. For instance:

Use the "Sketching" brush for initial drafts or outlines.
The "Inking" brush is perfect for adding bold, clean lines.
The "Textures" brush can add a tactile feel to your artwork.

Tip: Don't forget to adjust the size and opacity of your brushes for different effects.

Applying Colors

Color is the soul of your artwork. The color wheel in the basic Procreate template allows you to select a broad spectrum of colors. You can:

Use the eyedropper tool to pick up and reuse a color from your canvas.
Save your favorite colors in the palette for easy access.
Experiment with different color blending modes to see how they interact.

With the basic Procreate template, you have a powerful toolkit to start creating stunning digital art. But this is just the beginning—let's explore some specialized templates next.

2. Exploring the Watercolor Template

If you love the fluidity and unpredictability of watercolors, the Watercolor Procreate template is your digital equivalent. It's designed to mimic the real-life effects of watercolor paint, allowing you to create stunning, vibrant artwork without the mess. Let's delve into its unique features: blending techniques, mixing colors, and creating textures.

Blending Techniques

Blending in the Watercolor Procreate template simulates the diffusion of watercolor on paper, and it's the secret to achieving those dreamy, fluid effects. Some tips to get you started:

Use the "Smudge" tool to blend colors together smoothly.
Try the "Wet Mix" brush to create a wet-on-wet look, where colors seamlessly merge into one another.
Use a lower opacity for a more subtle blend, and a higher one for a more dramatic effect.

Remember that blending is an art in itself—it can take some practice, but the results are worth it.

Mixing Colors

The Watercolor Procreate template allows you to mix colors just like you would with physical paint. For example:

Start with two base colors and mix them on a separate layer to create a new hue.
Use the "Color Drop" feature to fill in an area with a specific color.
Experiment with layering different colors to create depth and richness.

With digital watercolor, you have the freedom to undo and redo until you get the perfect shade—something that's not possible with traditional watercolor!

Creating Textures

Texture is what gives your watercolor painting its unique character. The Watercolor Procreate template offers a multitude of texture brushes to help you recreate the tactile feel of watercolor on paper. Here are a few ways to use them:

The "Splatter" brush can create a spray of color, perfect for backgrounds or adding interest to your painting.
The "Salt" brush mimics the effect of sprinkling salt on wet watercolor, resulting in a speckled texture.
Use the "Grain" brush to add a rough or gritty texture to your work.

So there you have it—the Watercolor Procreate template, your tool to creating digital watercolor paintings that are as vibrant and fluid as the real thing. Next, let's move on to a template that's all about storytelling—the Comic Art Template.

3. Mastering the Comic Art Template

For the comic book enthusiasts and aspiring graphic novelists, there's the Comic Art Procreate template. This template is your digital canvas for creating engaging and dynamic comic book pages. Let's look at three key aspects of this template: drawing panels, inking and shading, and adding dialogue.

Drawing Panels

Comic panels are the building blocks of your story. Here's how you can make the most of them in the Comic Art Procreate template:

Create panels using the rectangle tool—just tap and drag to define the panel's size and shape.
Use the "Snap to Grid" feature to ensure your panels are evenly spaced and sized.
Experiment with different panel layouts to influence the pacing and flow of your story.

Remember, panels don't always have to be square or rectangle—feel free to get creative with your panel shapes for a more dynamic layout.

Inking and Shading

Inking and shading give depth and drama to your comic art. Here's how you can achieve that in the Comic Art Procreate template:

Use the "Inking" brush set for clean, sharp lines. This set includes a variety of brushes for different line qualities.
For shading, use the "Hatch" brush to create a cross-hatching effect, or the "Blend" brush for a smoother gradient.
Play with light and shadow to add volume and perspective to your drawings.

Remember, where you place your shadows can greatly affect the mood of your scene, so choose your light source wisely.

Adding Dialogue

Dialogue is the voice of your characters, and the Comic Art Procreate template makes it easy to add speech bubbles and captions. Here's how:

Use the "Speech Bubbles" brush set to create balloons and tails. Remember to leave enough space for your text when drawing your bubbles.
For text, use the "Text" tool. You can adjust the size, font, and alignment to fit your speech bubbles.
Keep your dialogue concise and impactful. Remember, in comics, less is often more.

With these tools and techniques, the Comic Art Procreate template empowers you to bring your comic book visions to life. Now, let's move on to something a little less conventional—the Abstract Art Template.

4. Getting Creative with the Abstract Art Template

Now let's dive into the world of non-representational art with the Abstract Art Procreate template. This template is the perfect playground for your creativity, offering endless ways to experiment with shapes, patterns, and dimensions. Let's explore how to use geometric shapes, experiment with patterns, and add depth and dimension in your abstract art.

Using Geometric Shapes

The Abstract Art Procreate template comes with a variety of shape tools that you can use in your art:

Use the "Shape" tool to create perfect circles, squares, triangles, and more.
Alter these shapes using the "Transform" tool to stretch, squash, rotate, or skew them.
Layer these shapes to create complex compositions and intriguing visual relationships.

Remember, abstract art doesn't have to represent anything specific—it's all about expressing yourself through colors, shapes, and lines.

Experimenting with Patterns

The Abstract Art Procreate template also allows you to create and manipulate patterns:

Use the "Pattern" brush set to create repeating shapes or textures.
Alter these patterns with the "Warp" tool to create a sense of movement or distortion.
Layer different patterns to create visual interest and complexity.

Remember, patterns can be regular or irregular, simple or complex—it's all up to your creative vision.

Adding Depth and Dimension

Even in abstract art, you can create a sense of depth and dimension. Here's how you can do it in the Abstract Art Procreate template:

Use the "Layer" tool to create a sense of depth. Objects on higher layers will seem closer, while those on lower layers will seem further away.
Use the "Blur" tool to create a sense of distance. Objects that are blurred will seem further away, while those in sharp focus will seem closer.
Use color and value to create a sense of volume. Lighter colors will seem to advance, while darker colors will seem to recede.

Remember, with the Abstract Art Procreate template, there are no rules—only endless possibilities for creative expression. Now, are you ready to explore the last template on our list—the Landscape Art Template?

5. Working with the Landscape Art Template

Just as we've journeyed through the abstract, now we'll anchor ourselves back to reality with the Landscape Art Procreate template. This template is your gateway to creating stunning natural scenes, from calming beach sunsets to majestic mountain ranges. Let's walk through how to sketch the scene, paint the sky, and detail the foreground.

Sketching the Scene

Every great landscape starts with a solid sketch. Here's how you can create one using the Landscape Art Procreate template:

Start by blocking out the main elements of your scene with the "Sketch" tool. This could be a mountain range, a forest, a river, or a field of flowers.
Don't worry about the details at this stage. Focus on getting the shapes and proportions right.
Once you're satisfied with your sketch, you can start adding details with the "Detail" tool.

With a solid sketch in place, you're ready to bring your landscape to life with color.

Painting the Sky

Next, let's add some color to our landscape, starting with the sky. Here's how you can paint the sky using the Landscape Art Procreate template:

Start by selecting a color for your sky. The "Color" tool offers a wide range of blues, pinks, oranges, and purples for sunrise, sunset, or midday scenes.
Use the "Brush" tool to paint your sky. Experiment with different brushes to find the one that gives you the texture you're looking for.
Remember to vary your tones to create depth in your sky. Lighter tones can indicate a source of light, while darker tones can add drama and mood.

With a vibrant sky in place, it's time to turn our attention to the foreground.

Detailing the Foreground

Finally, let's add some details to the foreground of our landscape. Here's how you can do it using the Landscape Art Procreate template:

Use the "Brush" tool to define the shapes in your foreground. This could be trees, rocks, a path, or a body of water.
Add texture to these elements with the "Texture" brush set. This can help to make your landscape more realistic and visually interesting.
Remember to add shadows and highlights to create a sense of depth and volume.

With these steps, you'll have a stunning landscape that's ready to share with the world. Remember, the Landscape Art Procreate template is just a starting point. It's your creativity and imagination that will make your digital art truly stand out.

If you're excited about enhancing your digital art skills, check out the workshop 'Animating with Procreate and Photoshop' by Nyanza. This workshop will teach you how to bring your digital art to life through animation, taking your Procreate creations to the next level.