7 Proven Steps to Expertly Color Line Art in Procreate

Published on 19 June 2023 7 min read

Mastering the art of coloring line art in Procreate can transform your digital illustrations and make them come to life. With a few simple steps, you can elevate your artwork to a new level, and in this guide, we'll show you how to color line art in Procreate with ease. So, let's dive right in!

1. Choose the Right Brush

The first step in coloring your line art in Procreate is selecting the right brush for the job. The app offers a wide variety of brushes, each with its unique characteristics, making it essential to understand which brush will work best for your artwork. Here are a few tips to help you choose:

For sketching and inking: Use the "Technical Pen" or "Studio Pen" brushes, as they provide a clean and smooth line with a consistent appearance.
For coloring and shading: Consider using the "Soft Airbrush," "Hard Airbrush," or "Round Brush" options, as they allow you to apply color with a soft and gradual build-up.
For textured effects: Experiment with brushes like "Gouache," "Charcoal," or "Dry Brush" to add interesting textures and depth to your artwork.

Remember, you can always customize brushes in Procreate to better suit your needs. So, feel free to play around with brush settings until you find the perfect fit for your line art coloring process.

2. Create a Color Palette

Creating a color palette before you start coloring your line art in Procreate can save you time and help you maintain a cohesive look throughout your artwork. Here's how to create a custom color palette:

Open the color panel by tapping on the color circle in the top right corner of the screen.
Select the "Palettes" tab at the bottom of the panel.
Tap on the "+" icon to create a new palette.
Add colors to your palette by selecting a color from the color wheel or the color sliders, and then tapping on an empty square in your new palette.
Arrange your colors in a way that makes sense to you, like grouping similar hues together or organizing them by their use in your artwork (e.g., base colors, shadows, highlights).

Having a well-thought-out color palette will not only make your coloring process more efficient but also ensure that your artwork looks harmonious and visually appealing. Don't be afraid to experiment with different color combinations and adjust your palette as you work on your piece — after all, finding the perfect colors is part of the fun!

3. Use Layers Effectively

Using layers wisely is a key factor in achieving a professional look when coloring line art in Procreate. Layers help keep your work organized and make it easier to edit or adjust your colors without affecting the rest of your artwork. Here's how to make the most of layers:

Separate your line art: Place your line art on its own layer and set the blending mode to "Multiply." This way, your colors will show through the lines, and you won't accidentally paint over them.
Create a layer for each color: Add a new layer for each color or major element in your artwork. This approach makes it easier to edit individual colors without affecting the others and helps you maintain a clean, organized workspace.
Lock transparency: Lock the transparency of your color layers to avoid coloring outside the lines. To do this, swipe left on a layer and tap "Lock Transparency."
Group related layers: If you have multiple layers for a single element (e.g., base color, shadows, and highlights), group them together by pinching the layers and dragging them onto the "Group" icon. This keeps your layers panel tidy and makes it easier to edit or move elements as a whole.
Use layer masks: Instead of erasing parts of your artwork, use layer masks to hide or reveal areas without permanently changing your layers. To add a layer mask, tap on the layer and select "Mask."

By mastering the use of layers in Procreate, you'll be able to work more efficiently and effectively, giving you more control over your artwork and making it easier to achieve the perfect look.

4. Apply Flat Colors

Once you've set up your layers, it's time to start coloring your line art. The first step is to apply flat colors, which serve as the base for your artwork. Here's how to apply flat colors in Procreate:

Select your color: Use the color palette you created earlier or pick a new color from the color wheel. Remember, you can always adjust the colors later if needed.
Choose a brush: Pick a solid, opaque brush with minimal texture. The "Hard Airbrush" or "Studio Pen" are excellent choices for this step.
Work on the appropriate layer: Make sure you're working on the correct layer for each color. As mentioned earlier, it's a good idea to have a separate layer for each major color or element in your artwork.
Fill in the areas: Carefully fill in the areas of your line art with the chosen color. You can use the "Paint Bucket" tool for large areas, or paint manually for smaller, more intricate details.
Adjust as needed: If you're not satisfied with a color, use the "Hue, Saturation, Brightness" adjustment to tweak it until it's just right.

Applying flat colors is a crucial step in creating a solid foundation for your artwork. By starting with clean, well-defined base colors, you'll have a strong starting point for adding shadows, highlights, and other details to bring your line art to life.

5. Add Shadows and Highlights

With your flat colors in place, it's time to add depth and dimension to your artwork by incorporating shadows and highlights. These elements help bring your line art to life, making it more visually appealing and realistic. Follow these steps to add shadows and highlights in Procreate:

Identify the light source: Determine where the light is coming from in your scene. This will help you understand where to place highlights and shadows for a more natural look.
Create new layers: Add a new layer above each of your color layers for shadows and another for highlights. This keeps your work organized and makes it easier to edit later.
Select the right brush: Choose a soft, textured brush for creating shadows and highlights. The "Soft Airbrush" or "Shading Graphite" brushes are great options.
Use a lower opacity: Set the brush opacity to around 30-50% to build up shadows and highlights gradually. This allows you to create more subtle, natural-looking effects.
Apply shadows: On the shadow layers, use a darker, cooler version of your base color to paint in areas that would be hidden from the light source. Think about the shape and form of your subject when adding shadows.
Apply highlights: On the highlight layers, use a lighter, warmer version of your base color to paint in areas that would catch the light. Pay attention to the direction of the light source and consider which parts of your subject would reflect the light most strongly.
Adjust blend modes: Experiment with different blend modes for the shadow and highlight layers, such as "Multiply" for shadows and "Overlay" or "Screen" for highlights. This can help create more natural and seamless interactions between the colors.

By adding shadows and highlights to your line art, you'll create a more dynamic and visually interesting piece. Take your time with this step, as it can make a significant difference in the final result of your artwork.

6. Blend Colors Smoothly

To achieve a polished and professional look in your line art, blending your colors smoothly is essential. This step helps to create seamless transitions between different colors and tones, making your artwork more visually appealing. Here's how to blend colors effectively in Procreate:

Choose the right brush: Select a soft-edged brush with low opacity, such as the "Soft Airbrush" or "Blending Brush." This will help you create smooth transitions between colors and avoid harsh edges.
Work on a separate layer: Create a new layer for blending to keep your work organized and easily adjustable. This allows you to experiment with blending without affecting the original colors.
Use the color picker: To blend two colors, use the color picker (also known as the eyedropper tool) to pick up one color, then paint it gently over the edge of the second color. Repeat this process, picking up the second color and painting it over the first, until the colors blend together smoothly.
Adjust brush size and opacity: Depending on the size of the area you're blending, adjust the brush size accordingly. You may also want to lower the brush opacity to create more subtle transitions between colors.
Blend gradually: Work slowly and patiently, building up the blend between colors. This will help you achieve a more natural and seamless effect.
Experiment with the smudge tool: The smudge tool can also be useful for blending colors. Choose a soft brush and low opacity for the smudge tool, then gently drag it along the edge where the colors meet to create a smooth transition.

Blending your colors smoothly is a crucial step in creating visually appealing line art. Take your time and practice this skill, as it can make a significant difference in the overall appearance of your artwork.

7. Finishing Touches

Now that you've learned how to color line art in Procreate, it's time to add those final touches that make your artwork truly stand out. Here are some tips to help you polish your work and create a more professional look:

Adjust colors and saturation: Look at your artwork as a whole and make any necessary adjustments to the colors or saturation levels. This can help you achieve a more cohesive and harmonious look.
Add texture: Consider adding texture to your artwork, such as subtle grain or noise. This can help give your line art more depth and visual interest.
Refine shadows and highlights: Double-check your shadows and highlights to ensure they're consistent and accurate. Make any necessary adjustments to improve the overall lighting in your artwork.
Check line work: Inspect your line work one last time for any inconsistencies or imperfections that may need fixing. This attention to detail can make your artwork look more polished and professional.
Sign your work: Don't forget to add your signature or watermark to your artwork. This not only gives you credit for your work, but also adds a personal touch to your creation.
Export your artwork: Save your finished piece in a high-quality format, like PNG or JPEG, to ensure it looks great when you share it with others or print it out.

With these finishing touches, your line art in Procreate will look more polished and professional. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep experimenting and refining your skills to create even more impressive artwork in the future.

If you're looking to enhance your digital art skills, be sure to check out the workshop titled 'Refreshing your Colours in Procreate' by Faira. This workshop will provide you with the techniques and tips you need to refresh and elevate the use of colors in your Procreate artwork.