Beginners Guide: Procreate Blending Modes

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 7 min read

Are you ready to dive into the world of digital art? To kickstart your artistic journey, let's explore the Procreate app, a powerhouse for digital artists. This blog will serve as your ultimate Procreate blending modes tutorial, helping you understand and master every aspect of blending modes in Procreate. So, whether you're a beginner or simply want to refine your skills, you're in the right place.

Getting to Know Procreate

Procreate is a popular digital art tool, but before we delve into its blending modes, let's understand what the app is all about, why you should use it, and how to navigate its interface.

What is Procreate?

Procreate is a powerful digital illustration app available exclusively on the iPad. It's lauded for its responsive interface, extensive brush library, and powerful features like blending modes—a crucial component of our Procreate blending modes tutorial. Procreate gives you the freedom to create stunning artworks without the need for physical tools or mediums.

Why Use Procreate?

Procreate stands out from the crowd for several reasons. It's user-friendly, making it a fantastic choice for beginners. Yet, it's also packed with professional-grade features, including customizable brushes, layering options, and of course, a variety of blending modes. Whether you're crafting a simple sketch or an intricate digital painting, Procreate has the tools you need to bring your vision to life.

Navigating the Procreate Interface

As you start your Procreate journey, it's important to familiarize yourself with the app's interface. Here's a quick breakdown:

Gallery View: This is where all your artworks are stored. You can create new pieces, organize your work into folders, and export your art from here.
Canvas Interface: Once you open a new canvas, you'll find all your tools neatly arranged around the edges. On the top, you have the brushes, smudge tool, eraser, layers, and color picker. On the side, you'll find the slider for brush size and opacity.
Layer Panel: This is where the magic of blending modes happens. You can add, delete, duplicate, and adjust layers. It's also where you can experiment with different blending modes, which we'll cover in more detail in this Procreate blending modes tutorial.

Now that you're familiar with Procreate and its interface, you're ready to dive deeper into the world of blending modes. Let's get started!

Dive into Blending Modes

Blending modes are one of the most powerful tools in your Procreate toolbox. They help you create depth and dimension, experiment with colors and textures, and bring your artwork to life in surprising ways. Let's break down what blending modes are, how you can use them, and some examples to guide you.

What are Blending Modes?

Blending modes in Procreate are ways to change how a layer interacts with the layers beneath it. Instead of colors just sitting on top of each other, blending modes allow them to interact in various ways. They can lighten, darken, multiply, or even invert the colors of your layers, creating diverse and dynamic effects.

Using Blending Modes

How do you use blending modes in Procreate? It's easier than you might think. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Create a new layer on top of your artwork where you want the blending mode to apply.
Select the layer and tap on the "N" symbol. This will open a list of blending modes.
Scroll through the list and select the blending mode you want to use. As you scroll, you'll see the effect on your artwork in real-time.
Adjust the opacity of the layer to soften or intensify the effect of the blending mode.

That's it! With these steps, you can start incorporating blending modes into your artworks. But how do you know which blending mode to use? Let's take a look at some examples.

Blending Modes Examples

With so many blending modes available, it's helpful to have a few go-to modes for different effects. Here are some examples:

Normal: The default mode where colors do not interact with each other.
Darken: This mode only keeps the darker colors from the layers. It's great for adding shadows and depth.
Lighten: The opposite of darken; it keeps the lighter colors and is great for adding highlights.
Multiply: Useful for deepening colors and adding richness to your artwork.
Overlay: A versatile mode that can either lighten or darken colors based on their brightness, useful for adding contrast.

These are just a few examples. Each blending mode has its unique effect, and part of the fun is experimenting to see which one suits your style or the needs of your artwork best.

Start with Basic Blending

Now that you have a grasp on what blending modes are and how they function, let's start with some basic blending techniques. Like learning to ride a bicycle, starting with the basics sets a strong foundation for more advanced techniques later on.

Basic Blending Techniques

The most fundamental blending technique to learn is the transition between two colors. Here's a simple step-by-step guide:

Choose two colors you want to blend. Let's say blue and yellow.
Create a new layer. Paint one half with blue and the other half with yellow, making sure they overlap in the middle.
Select the smudge tool from the top menu. Adjust its size and opacity according to your preference.
Start smudging at the area where the two colors meet. Smudge in a back-and-forth motion until you achieve a smooth transition between the two colors.

This basic blending technique is the foundation of many more sophisticated Procreate blending modes.

Practicing with Basic Blending

The key to mastering blending in Procreate is practice. Start with simple shapes and a limited color palette. As you become more comfortable, try blending more complex shapes and a broader range of colors. Experiment with different blending modes to see how they affect your artwork. Remember — practice makes perfect!

Basic Blending Tips

Here are some tips and tricks to help you get started with your Procreate blending modes tutorial:

Layer Control: Make sure you have control over your layers. Each blending mode should be applied on a separate layer.
Opacity: Play around with the opacity of your layers. Sometimes, less is more.
Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment. The undo button is your friend.

With these basics under your belt, you're ready to move on to more advanced blending techniques in Procreate.

Explore Advanced Blending

Once you've gotten the hang of basic blending, it's time to level up your Procreate blending modes tutorial. Advanced blending involves a deeper understanding of colors, textures, and the varied blending modes Procreate offers. Ready to take the plunge?

Advanced Blending Techniques

Advanced blending techniques can add depth and sophistication to your digital art. Some of the more advanced blending modes Procreate offers include Multiply, Overlay, and Color Burn. Here's a brief overview of what they do:

Multiply: This mode darkens your colors, perfect for adding shadows.
Overlay: Overlay can be used to intensify colors and add contrast.
Color Burn: Want to darken your colors even more? Try Color Burn. Be careful though, it's a powerful tool!

Experimenting with these modes can give you a wide range of effects, from subtle texture to dramatic color shifts.

Practicing with Advanced Blending

As with basic blending, the key to mastering advanced blending modes is practice. Try incorporating these techniques into your artwork and observe how they change the mood and texture of your pieces. Remember, there's no right or wrong way to blend — it's all about what works best for your art.

Advanced Blending Tips

Here are some additional tips to help you navigate advanced blending in Procreate:

Take It Slow: Don't rush. Take the time to observe how each blending mode affects your artwork.
Use References: Look at other art and see if you can identify the blending techniques used. This can provide inspiration and guidance.
Keep Experimenting: Don't stop at just one blending mode. Mix and match to discover new effects and styles.

With these advanced blending techniques, you're well on your way to becoming a Procreate blending modes expert.

Create with Confidence

Art, like any skill, requires practice, patience, and perseverance. You've learned the basics, dived into advanced techniques, and now it's time to create with confidence. Let's explore how blending can enhance your artwork, navigate common challenges, and wrap up with some final thoughts on this Procreate blending modes tutorial.

Using Blending to Enhance Artwork

Blending is not just about creating smooth transitions between colors—it's a powerful tool that can bring your artwork to life. Want to add depth and dimension to your digital paintings? Try the Overlay mode. Want to create realistic shadows? Multiply mode is your friend. Looking to add a touch of magic to your fantasy art? Play around with Add and Lighten modes. Remember, the only limit is your creativity.

Blending Challenges and Solutions

Blending in Procreate is not without its challenges. You might find your colors muddy, your transitions harsh, or your effects not quite right. But don't fret! Here are some quick fixes:

Muddy colors? Try reducing the opacity of your brush or using a different blending mode.
Harsh transitions? More blending! Use the smudge tool to help smooth things out.
Effects not quite right? Experiment with different blending modes and brushes until you get the desired effect.

Remember, every artist has their own style and preferences, so don't be afraid to experiment until you find what works best for you.

Final Thoughts on Procreate Blending

And there we have it! From basics to advanced techniques, this Procreate blending modes tutorial has covered it all. But remember, the real learning comes from rolling up your sleeves and diving into your own art projects. So, what are you waiting for? Go create, blend, experiment, and most importantly, have fun!

If you're looking to further explore the capabilities of Procreate, don't miss the workshop 'Animating with Procreate and Photoshop' by Nyanza. This workshop will teach you how to bring your Procreate creations to life through animation, taking your digital art skills to the next level.