7 Easy Procreate Drawing Techniques for Beginners

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

3. Incorporate Shading Techniques

6. Use Procreate Brushes Effectively

7. Practice with Difficult Forms

Are you ready to dive into the world of digital art? With the rise of tablets and advanced drawing apps like Procreate, creating art has never been more accessible. Whether you're a seasoned artist looking to transition to digital or a complete beginner, this guide is for you. We'll cover seven easy procreate drawing techniques to help you get started. So grab your Apple Pencil and let's get to it!

1. Get to Know Your Tools

Before you can start creating easy Procreate drawings, you need to familiarize yourself with the tools at your disposal. Procreate is packed with features that can help you bring your creative visions to life, but understanding what each tool does is the first step.

Brush Library: Procreate comes with a vast assortment of brushes, each with its own unique style and texture. From paintbrushes to pencils, markers, and textures — there's a brush for every style.
Color Palette: The color palette is your key to adding life to your sketches. Experiment with different shades and tones until you find your preferred color scheme.
Layers Panel: This is where Procreate truly shines. The layers panel allows you to build your artwork layer by layer, providing you with the flexibility to edit, rearrange, and fine-tune your drawing without affecting the rest of your work.
Smudge and Eraser Tools: Mistakes happen, but with the smudge and eraser tools, you can easily correct them. These tools can also help you achieve unique effects in your drawings.

Don't be afraid to play around with these tools. The more you experiment, the more comfortable you'll become, and the better your easy Procreate drawings will be.

2. Start with Basic Sketching

Once you're familiar with your tools, it's time to start drawing. But where to begin? The answer is simple: start with the basics.

Sketching is the foundation of any good drawing. It helps you map out your ideas, identify potential issues, and create a solid base upon which to build your artwork. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Start Small: There's no need to jump into complex scenes right away. Start with simple objects or shapes. This will help you get a feel for the drawing process and allow you to practice using different tools.
Use Guidelines: Guidelines can help ensure your proportions are correct. You can create a new layer specifically for guidelines, then hide it once you're done. This is one of the great features that make creating easy Procreate drawings a breeze.
Don't Be Afraid to Make Mistakes: Sketching is all about trial and error. If something doesn't look right, simply erase it and try again. Remember, every mistake is a learning opportunity.

Once you've nailed the basics of sketching, you'll be well on your way to creating incredible easy Procreate drawings.

3. Incorporate Shading Techniques

Shading, in the realm of easy Procreate drawings, can be the secret sauce that takes your work from good to great. But don't let the word "shading" intimidate you. It's simpler than it sounds.

Essentially, shading is the art of creating depth and dimension in your artwork by varying the darkness or lightness of your color. Here's how you can begin to master this technique:

Understand Light Source: The first step to effective shading is to identify where your light is coming from. This determines where you'll place your shadows and highlights.
Experiment with Different Values: Try using different shades of your chosen color for different areas of your drawing. Remember, darker shades convey depth and lighter shades create highlights.
Use the Right Brush: Procreate has a range of brushes that are perfect for shading. For example, the soft brush is great for smooth transitions, while the hard brush is better for defined shadows.

When done correctly, shading can add a whole new level of realism to your easy Procreate drawings. The key is to practice, experiment, and have fun with it!

4. Experiment with Coloring

Coloring is like the magic wand that brings your easy Procreate drawings to life. But how do you choose the right colors? Here's a quick guide to get you started:

Start with a Color Palette: Instead of randomly picking colors, start with a color palette. This can help you maintain consistency and harmony in your drawing. Procreate offers a range of pre-made palettes, or you can create your own!
Understand Color Theory: Basic understanding of color theory can be very helpful. Complementary colors (those opposite on the color wheel) can create vibrant contrasts, while analogous colors (those next to each other) can create a harmonious feel.
Experiment with Blending: Procreate offers various blending tools. Use them to mix colors directly on your canvas and create smooth gradients.

Remember, coloring isn't about staying within the lines. It's about using colors to express your creativity and bring your easy Procreate drawings to life. So don't be afraid to experiment and play around with different colors. After all, if you don’t like something, you can always undo it with a tap!

5. Try Your Hand at Layering

One of the features that makes Procreate a favorite among digital artists is its layering capability. Think of layers like clear sheets of paper stacked on top of each other. You can draw on each sheet (or layer) without affecting the ones underneath. This is especially useful when you're working on complex, easy Procreate drawings. Here's how you can make the most of this feature:

Keep Elements Separate: By drawing different elements of your artwork on different layers, you can easily edit, move, resize or delete them without affecting the rest of your drawing. For instance, you can draw the background on one layer, the main subject on another, and finer details on yet another.
Use Layer Masks: Layer masks allow you to hide parts of a layer without permanently erasing them. This can be incredibly useful when you're not quite sure about a particular effect or detail.
Experiment with Blending Modes: Each layer can have its own blending mode, which changes how it interacts with the layers beneath it. This can lead to some really cool effects, so don't be afraid to play around with it!

Layering might seem a little daunting at first, but you'll soon find it's a game-changer for your easy Procreate drawings. The key is to experiment and find what works best for you. Who knows? You might just discover your own unique style in the process!

6. Use Procreate Brushes Effectively

Procreate offers a dazzling array of brushes — and they're not just for show. Each brush can give you a unique effect that can take your easy Procreate drawings to the next level. Here's how to use them effectively:

Understand Brush Categories: Procreate brushes come in several categories, like sketching, painting, artistic, airbrushing, and more. Each category is designed to mimic a specific real-world art medium. For instance, if you're going for a watercolor effect, you'd use a brush from the painting category.
Customize Your Brushes: You can adjust the settings of each brush to suit your style and the specific needs of your drawing. This gives you the flexibility to create the exact effect you're aiming for.
Import and Create Brushes: Procreate also allows you to import brushes from other users or create your own. This means the possibilities for your art are virtually limitless.

With so many options at your disposal, it can be tempting to try out all the brushes at once. But remember, the goal is not to use every brush in the palette, but to understand how each one can serve your vision. It's the artist, not the brush, that creates a masterpiece. So, while it's fun to explore, keep your focus on crafting your easy Procreate drawings.

7. Practice with Difficult Forms

Practice, as they say, makes perfect. This is especially true when it comes to easy Procreate drawings. You might start with simple shapes and lines, but don't be afraid to gradually step up your game. Here's how to practice with difficult forms:

Break Down Complex Shapes: Every complex shape is just a combination of simpler ones. If you're struggling with a tricky form, try breaking it down into basic shapes first. This can give you a clear roadmap to follow.
Use References: There's no shame in using a reference image, especially when you're learning. In fact, many professional artists use references for their work. Just remember, the goal is not to copy but to understand and replicate the form.
Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Even if you only have a few minutes to spare each day, use them to practice your drawing. Over time, you'll see a significant improvement in your ability to handle difficult forms.

Learning to draw complex forms can feel like a big leap from your easy Procreate drawings. But remember, every master was once a beginner. Keep pushing your boundaries, keep practicing, and you'll soon be creating art that you're proud of.

If you're looking to further develop your Procreate drawing skills, don't miss the workshop 'Learn How to Draw in Procreate' by Vicky Catalan. This workshop will provide you with in-depth guidance and tips on how to enhance your drawing techniques using Procreate, perfect for beginners who want to level up their digital art skills.