5 Proven Procreate Resources to Improve Your Digital Art

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

Are you ready to take your Procreate game to the next level? With the right resources, you can transform your digital art from good to great. This blog will walk you through five proven Procreate resources that will help you improve your artwork, adding more depth, creativity, and complexity to your pieces. Let's dive right in!

1. Explore Procreate Brushes

One of the first Procreate resources you should familiarize yourself with is the vast array of brushes available. Brushes not only shape the texture of your work, but also play a significant role in defining your unique style.

Understanding Different Brush Types

Procreate offers a variety of brush types, each with its own distinct characteristics. From sketching to painting, inking to texture brushes, understanding their differences can drastically enhance your work. Here are a few to get you started:

Sketching brushes: These are perfect for creating initial outlines and adding detail.
Painting brushes: These help you add color and depth to your artwork.
Inking brushes: Perfect for creating clean, crisp lines and adding definition.
Texture brushes: These brushes can add a unique feel to your piece, giving it a more organic or tactile look.

Customizing Brushes for Your Style

Customizing your brushes is a fantastic way to make your work stand out. Procreate allows you to tweak brush settings for opacity, size, and more. With some trial and error, you can create your own set of brushes that best reflect your artistic style.

Importing Brushes from Other Artists

Another great feature of Procreate is its ability to import brushes. You can find a plethora of brushes created by other artists online, giving you an opportunity to experiment with a range of styles and techniques that differ from your own. Remember, while it's great to learn from others, always strive to keep your work original and authentic to you.

2. Master the Layers

Once you've got a grip on brushes, it's time to delve deeper into one of the most potent Procreate resources: layers. Layers can be your best friend if you know how to use them effectively. They allow you to work on different parts of your artwork independently, which can be a game-changer in your creative process.

Using Layers Effectively

Think of layers as transparent sheets stacked on top of each other. You can draw on each sheet (or layer) without disturbing the others. This allows you to experiment without fear of ruining your entire piece. For instance, you might use one layer for sketching, a second for coloring, and a third for shading.

Layer Blending Modes

Now, let's talk about layer blending modes. Each blending mode changes how a layer interacts with the layers beneath it. For example, the 'multiply' mode darkens the colors on the layer below, while the 'overlay' mode enhances the contrast. Blending modes can add depth and complexity to your work. Don't be afraid to experiment and see what suits your style the best!

Grouping and Merging Layers

As your artwork gets more complex, you might find yourself working with dozens of layers. To keep things organized, Procreate allows you to group related layers together. You can also merge layers to reduce the layer count or to combine elements of your artwork. Just remember, once merged, you can't separate the layers again, so be sure before you merge!

Mastering layers can seem daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it, you'll see a significant boost in your digital art prowess. It's all a part of becoming proficient with Procreate resources!

3. Get Creative with Colors

With a good understanding of brushes and layers, you're now ready to let your true colors shine. Procreate offers a palette of options to help artists get creative with colors. Whether it's managing color palettes or experimenting with color harmonies, Procreate resources have got you covered.

Color Palette Management

Color plays a vital role in setting the mood and tone of your artwork. Procreate's color palette management allows you to curate and organize your favorite colors for quick access. You can create as many color palettes as you want, each for a different theme, season, or mood. Remember, colors are more than just visual elements; they are a form of communication.

Color Dropping and Selection Techniques

Ever wondered how to fill a large area with color swiftly? Enter color dropping. Just drag the color from the color disc to your canvas, and voilà! For precision, the color selection tool helps you pick an exact color from your canvas. It's like having a color detective right at your fingertips!

Experiment with Color Harmonies

Artists, meet color harmonies, your secret weapon for creating aesthetically pleasing color schemes. Procreate resources include a color harmony tool that suggests complementary, analogous, triadic, and other color combinations. It's like having a virtual color consultant who helps you make visually appealing color choices.

Getting creative with colors in Procreate is a joy. The more you play with colors, the more you'll understand their role in expressing your artistic vision. Remember, art is all about experimentation—so go ahead, mix, match, and make your digital canvas come alive with color!

4. Use Gestures and Shortcuts

Why make things complicated when there's an easier way? Procreate resources include a variety of intuitive gestures and shortcuts that can simplify your workflow. Let's take a peek at how you can work smarter, not harder, with these time-saving features.

Procreate Gesture Controls

Did you know you can navigate Procreate with just a few swipes and taps? Gesture controls are one of Procreate's hidden gems. They let you zoom in and out, rotate your canvas, undo and redo actions, and more—all with simple finger movements. It's like having a magic wand that keeps your creative process flowing smoothly.

Optimize Your Workflow with Shortcuts

Here's a fun fact: you can complete multiple steps with just one shortcut in Procreate. Whether it's switching between brushes, adjusting brush sizes, or selecting colors—shortcuts can do the trick. They're like your personal assistant, helping you accomplish tasks faster so you can focus more on creating art.

Shortcut Cheat Sheets

Remembering all the handy shortcuts can be a bit overwhelming. But don't worry, Procreate resources have a solution: shortcut cheat sheets. These handy guides provide a quick reference for all Procreate shortcuts. Think of them as your personal tour guide, leading you through the landscape of Procreate's time-saving features.

With gestures and shortcuts, you can take your Procreate experience to the next level. These features are like your trusty sidekicks, ready to speed up your workflow and let your creativity flow uninterrupted. So go ahead, give them a try, and see how they can transform your digital art journey!

5. Learn from Procreate Tutorials

Every great artist was once a beginner, and every beginner can become a great artist. It's just a matter of practice—and a bit of guidance. Procreate tutorials are a goldmine of insights and techniques to help you improve your digital art skills. Let's see how you can learn and grow with these Procreate resources.

Finding Reputable Tutorial Sources

Not all that glitters is gold, especially on the internet. It's easy to find Procreate tutorials, but it's not always easy to find good ones. Look for tutorials from reputable sources — artists who are experienced, have a solid understanding of Procreate, and can explain concepts clearly. These are the tutors who can truly help you refine your skills.

Following Step-by-Step Guides

There's something satisfying about watching a blank canvas transform into a masterpiece, step by step. That's the beauty of Procreate tutorials. They walk you through every part of the creative process, from selecting the right brush to adding the final touches. Just follow along, and before you know it, you'll have a piece of art you're proud of.

Implementing What You Learn

Learning is half the journey, applying what you've learned is the other half. Once you've watched a tutorial, put those new skills to use. Don't worry about creating a masterpiece—just focus on practicing the techniques you just learned. Remember, every great artist started by learning and implementing, one tutorial at a time.

Procreate tutorials are more than just a learning tool—they're a bridge that takes you from where you are to where you want to be in your digital art journey. So get out there, find some great tutorials, and start creating!

If you're looking to enhance your digital art skills even further, don't miss the workshop 'Creating the Cosmos with Procreate' by Jeffrey Thelin. This workshop will guide you through the process of creating stunning cosmic imagery using Procreate, and help you unlock the full potential of this powerful digital art tool.