A Step-by-Step Procreate Tutorial for Beginners
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 7 min read

Contents

If you are new to digital art or considering making the switch to a user-friendly and versatile tool, Procreate is an excellent option. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the basics of Procreate and give you the skills to create your first digital artwork.

Getting Started with Procreate

Are you ready to dive into the world of digital art? Procreate is an incredible tool that can help you create stunning artwork on your Apple device. But before you start, there are a few things you need to know.

First and foremost, you need to ensure that Procreate is downloaded and installed on your device. Procreate is only available on Apple devices and can be downloaded from the App Store for a one-time fee. Once you have downloaded and installed the app, it's time to set up your canvas.

The Procreate interface can be overwhelming at first, but don't worry. With practice and time, you will master it. The interface consists of several elements, including the toolbar, brush library, and layers. These tools are designed to be user-friendly while also providing a comprehensive set of options.

Downloading and Installing Procreate

If you haven't already downloaded and installed Procreate, it's straightforward. Head to the App Store on your Apple device, search for Procreate, and tap on the “Get” button. After installation, the app will be added to your device’s home screen.

Once you've installed Procreate, it's time to start exploring the interface. The canvas is the area where you will create your artwork, while the toolbar, located at the top of the screen, gives easy access to essential tools such as brushes, erasers, and colors.

Understanding the Procreate Interface

The Procreate interface is designed to be intuitive, so you can focus on creating your artwork. The toolbar is the heart of the interface, and it's where you will find all the essential tools you need to create your masterpiece. The brush library contains a vast selection of brushes, each with its own unique characteristics, allowing you to create a wide range of effects.

The layers panel is where you can manage the layers of your artwork. Layers are essential in digital art because they allow you to work on different parts of your artwork without affecting other elements. You can create new layers, rename them, and adjust their opacity and blend modes.

Setting Up Your Canvas

Before you start creating your artwork, you need to set up your canvas. Procreate offers a wide range of options to customize your canvas. You can choose the size and shape of your canvas, select a background color or image, and even use pre-made canvas templates to help you get started.

Once you have set up your canvas, it's time to start creating. Procreate offers a vast range of tools and features, allowing you to create stunning artwork that rivals traditional media. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, Procreate has everything you need to create your masterpiece.

Mastering the Basics

The world of digital art has opened up endless possibilities for creativity, and Procreate is one of the best apps out there for creating stunning artwork. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, mastering the basics of Procreate is essential to creating beautiful digital art.

The first step to creating digital art on Procreate is mastering the basics of the app. This section will cover how to navigate the toolbar, customize brushes, choose colors, and use layers effectively.

The toolbar is located at the top of the screen and gives you quick access to essential tools. It includes tools such as brushes, erasers, selection tools, and shapes. You can customize the toolbar by adding or removing tools based on your workflow. This means that you can create a personalized workspace that suits your needs and makes your workflow more efficient.

One of the best things about the Procreate toolbar is that it is highly customizable. You can drag and drop tools to rearrange them, add new tools, and remove tools you don't use. This means that you can create a personalized workspace that suits your needs and makes your workflow more efficient.

Choosing and Customizing Brushes

Procreate offers a wide range of brushes to choose from, each with its unique style and function. You can also create custom brushes, which gives you endless possibilities for creativity. To customize a brush, click on the brush icon in the toolbar, adjust the settings, and then save it as a new brush.

When it comes to choosing brushes, it's important to experiment with different types to find the ones that work best for your style. Some artists prefer using a single brush for all their work, while others like to switch between different brushes for different effects.

Customizing brushes is also an important part of creating digital art. Procreate allows you to adjust the size, opacity, and flow of a brush, as well as other settings such as pressure sensitivity and tilt. This means that you can create a brush that is tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

Working with Colors

Colors are essential in any artwork. Procreate offers a range of color options, including color swatches, color harmony, and custom color palettes. To select a color, tap on the color circle on the toolbar, choose from the color options, or create a custom color.

One of the best things about Procreate's color options is the ability to create custom color palettes. This means that you can save your favorite colors and use them across multiple projects. You can also import color palettes from other sources, such as photos or websites.

When it comes to choosing colors, it's important to consider color theory. This is the study of how colors interact with each other and how they can be used to create different moods and emotions. By understanding color theory, you can create artwork that is visually appealing and communicates the message you want to convey.

Using Layers Effectively

Layers are a crucial part of Procreate, allowing you to create artwork in a non-destructive way. Each layer can contain one part of the artwork, such as a background or foreground. Using layers effectively can help you make changes to your artwork more efficiently and experiment with different effects.

One of the best things about layers is that they allow you to work on different parts of your artwork separately. For example, you can create a layer for the background, one for the foreground, and one for any text or other elements. This means that you can make changes to one part of your artwork without affecting the rest.

Another benefit of using layers is the ability to experiment with different effects. By creating a new layer and applying a specific effect to it, you can see how it will look without affecting the rest of your artwork. This means that you can try out different ideas and techniques without committing to them.

In conclusion, mastering the basics of Procreate is essential to creating beautiful digital art. By understanding how to navigate the toolbar, customize brushes, choose colors, and use layers effectively, you can create artwork that is both visually appealing and communicates the message you want to convey.

Essential Techniques for Beginners

Once you have mastered the basics of Procreate, you can move on to essential techniques such as creating basic shapes, applying textures and patterns, blending and smudging, and transforming and resizing objects.

Creating Basic Shapes

Procreate offers several tools for creating shapes, including the shape tool and the selection tool. You can customize the shape’s size, color, and opacity to fit your artwork’s specific needs.

Applying Textures and Patterns

Textures and patterns can add depth and interest to your artwork. Procreate offers several options for textures and patterns, such as importing your own or using pre-made options from the library.

Blending and Smudging

Blending and smudging are techniques that can help you merge colors smoothly or create a softer look. Blending and smudging tools can be found in the toolbar and can be customized to fit your specific needs.

Transforming and Resizing Objects

Transforming and resizing objects is an essential part of digital art. Procreate offers easy-to-use tools for resizing or distorting objects, including the transform and warp tools.

Enhancing Your Artwork with Effects

Adding effects can take your artwork to the next level, bringing it to life with shadows, gradients, and blend modes.

Adding Shadows and Highlights

Shadows and highlights can add depth and dimension to your artwork. Procreate offers a range of options to add shadows and highlights, including the masking tool and blend modes.

Creating Gradients

Gradients can add a softer look to your artwork and help blend colors together. Procreate offers several options for gradients, including creating your own or using pre-made options from the Gradient Library.

Using Masks for Non-Destructive Editing

Masks are an essential part of non-destructive editing, allowing you to make changes to specific parts of your artwork without damaging other layers. Procreate offers several masking options and editing tools, including the alpha lock and clipping masks.

Experimenting with Blend Modes

Blend modes are an excellent way to experiment with your artwork and add unique effects. Procreate includes over 30 blend modes, each with its particular function.

Conclusion

With Procreate, digital art has never been easier. This beginner tutorial has covered the basics of Procreate, essential techniques for beginners, and enhancing your artwork with effects. With practice, time, and experimenting with different styles, you can create stunning digital art that truly reflects your creativity.

If you're eager to dive deeper into the world of digital art using Procreate, don't miss Sameera Maruvada's workshop, 'Procreate Basics: Making Digital Art'. This workshop will help you build a strong foundation in Procreate and guide you through the process of creating stunning digital artwork, even if you're just starting out.