Create Stunning Art with Top Procreate Paper Textures: A Comprehensive Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 24 May 2023 9 min read

Have you ever wondered how to breathe life into your digital art and make it feel more unique and authentic? The answer lies in using procreate paper textures. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the benefits of using these textures, how to choose the right one for your project, and even how to create your own. So, let's dive in and start creating stunning artwork with top procreate paper textures!

Why Use Procreate Paper Textures?

Procreate paper textures are a fantastic tool for digital artists to elevate their work. They can help you achieve a variety of effects, from a realistic look to a unique, personal style. Let's take a closer look at the benefits of using procreate paper textures in your art:

Enhance Your Artwork

Adding a procreate paper texture to your artwork can make a world of difference. It can:

Give your art depth and dimension, making it more visually appealing
Boost the overall quality of your work by adding subtle details
Provide a more tactile and organic feel to your digital creations

Using procreate paper textures is an easy way to give your art that extra touch that makes it stand out from the crowd.

Create a Realistic Look

One of the challenges of digital art is making it look less digital and more like traditional art. Procreate paper textures can help you achieve this by:

Mimicking the appearance of real paper, like watercolor paper or sketchbook pages
Adding grain and texture to your digital canvas, similar to how traditional art materials would behave
Helping to capture the essence of traditional media, such as oil paint or charcoal

By incorporating a procreate paper texture, you can create a more realistic and convincing digital representation of traditional art.

Develop a Unique Style

One of the best ways to set your art apart from others is by developing your own unique style. Procreate paper textures can help you do just that! Here's how:

Experiment with different textures to find the one that speaks to your artistic voice
Customize textures to suit your specific needs and preferences
Combine textures with other digital tools and techniques to create something truly original

By incorporating procreate paper textures in your work, you can develop a signature style that sets you apart and makes your art instantly recognizable.

Choosing the Right Procreate Paper Texture

Now that you're aware of the benefits of using procreate paper textures, the next step is to find the perfect one for your artwork. Selecting the right texture can make all the difference in achieving the desired effect. Let's explore the factors to consider when choosing the perfect procreate paper texture for your art:

Texture Categories

Procreate paper textures come in various categories, each offering a unique look and feel. Some popular categories include:

Watercolor paper - Mimics the surface of traditional watercolor paper, with a rough or cold-pressed texture
Sketchbook paper - Simulates the smooth or slightly textured surface of a sketchbook, perfect for pencil or ink drawings
Canvas - Resembles the woven texture of a painting canvas, ideal for digital paintings

By understanding the different categories, you can choose a procreate paper texture that complements your art style and medium.

Match Your Art Style

When selecting a procreate paper texture, consider how well it matches your art style. Some questions to ask yourself are:

Does the texture complement the mood or atmosphere of your artwork?
Will it enhance the overall visual appeal of your piece?
Does the texture suit the medium you're working with, such as pencils, paints, or charcoal?

By carefully considering these factors, you can find a procreate paper texture that not only looks great but also feels like a natural extension of your artistic vision.

Experimentation and Exploration

Don't be afraid to experiment with different textures! Trying out multiple options can help you discover new possibilities and refine your style. Here are some suggestions for experimentation:

Combine multiple textures to create a unique, layered effect
Use a texture with unexpected colors or patterns for a bold, eye-catching look
Adjust the opacity or blending mode of a texture to see how it interacts with your artwork

Remember, the key to finding the perfect procreate paper texture is to explore, experiment, and have fun!

Importing a Procreate Paper Texture

Now that you've chosen the perfect procreate paper texture, let's walk through the process of importing it into your Procreate project. This way, you can start using the texture to enhance your artwork and create stunning results.

Download and Save Textures

First things first, you'll need to download the procreate paper texture you've selected. Many artists and designers offer free or paid texture packs for Procreate, so be sure to check out their websites or social media profiles for download options. Once you've downloaded the texture, save it to a location on your device, such as the Files app or your iCloud Drive.

Pro Tip: Organizing your textures into folders by category (e.g., watercolor, sketchbook, canvas) can save you time when searching for the perfect texture later on.

Import to Procreate

After saving the texture, it's time to import it into Procreate. Open the Procreate app and follow these simple steps:

Create a new canvas or open an existing project where you'd like to apply the texture.
In the Layers panel, tap the "+" button to create a new layer.
Select the new layer, and then tap the wrench icon to open the Actions menu.
Under the "Add" submenu, choose "Insert a file" or "Insert a photo" depending on where you saved your texture.
Navigate to the location where you saved the texture and select it. The texture will now appear on the new layer in your project.

You've now successfully imported the procreate paper texture into your project!

Adjust Settings and Preferences

Once your texture is in place, you might want to make some adjustments to ensure it looks just right in your artwork. Here are a few options to consider:

Opacity: If the texture seems too strong or overpowering, you can reduce its opacity to achieve a more subtle effect. Simply tap on the "N" icon in the Layers panel and use the slider to adjust the opacity level.
Blending Modes: Experiment with different layer blending modes to see how the texture interacts with your artwork. Some popular blending modes for textures include Multiply, Overlay, and Soft Light.
Scaling: Need the texture to cover a larger area or fit a specific part of your artwork? Use the Transform Tool (arrow icon) to scale, rotate, or move the texture as needed.

With these adjustments, you can fine-tune the procreate paper texture to perfectly complement your art style and personal preferences.

Now that you've successfully imported and adjusted your procreate paper texture, you're ready to start enhancing your artwork with stunning, realistic effects. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be afraid to experiment and explore new textures and techniques. Happy creating!

Creating a Custom Procreate Paper Texture

While there's an abundance of pre-made textures available for Procreate, you might want to create a custom procreate paper texture that's truly unique to your art style. By designing your own texture, you can ensure it complements your artwork in the most authentic way possible. In this section, we'll guide you through the process of creating a custom procreate paper texture from start to finish.

Gather Inspiration

Before diving into the design process, it's essential to gather inspiration for your custom texture. Take some time to explore different sources of inspiration, such as:

Nature: Observe the textures found in natural elements like tree bark, leaves, or stones.
Art materials: Study the textures created by various art mediums such as watercolor, charcoal, or pastels.
Existing artwork: Look at your own art or the work of other artists you admire to identify textures that stand out to you.

Collecting a variety of visual references will help you understand what kind of procreate paper texture you want to create and how it should look.

Design Process

With your inspiration gathered, it's time to start designing your custom procreate paper texture. Follow these steps to create your texture in Procreate:

Create a new canvas with the desired dimensions for your texture.
Choose a base color for your texture and fill the background layer with it.
Create a new layer on top of the background layer to start adding texture elements.
Experiment with different brushes, brush settings, and colors to build up the texture. You might even try importing images of real-world textures to use as a starting point.
Focus on creating a seamless pattern by ensuring the texture elements blend well together and have a consistent appearance.
Continue refining your texture by adding or removing elements, adjusting colors, and modifying brush settings until you're satisfied with the result.

Throughout the design process, remember to reference your collection of inspiration to ensure your custom procreate paper texture stays true to your original vision.

Refine and Optimize Your Texture

Once you've designed your custom procreate paper texture, it's important to refine and optimize it for use in your artwork. Here are a few tips to consider:

Test your texture: Apply your custom texture to different types of artwork to ensure it works well across various styles and subjects.
Optimize for seamless tiling: Make sure your texture can be tiled seamlessly by checking for visible seams or repeating patterns. If needed, use the Clone tool in Procreate to blend any visible seams.
Adjust contrast and color: Fine-tune the contrast and color of your texture to ensure it enhances your artwork without overpowering it. Remember, you can adjust the opacity and blending modes later when applying the texture to your art.

By refining and optimizing your custom procreate paper texture, you'll ensure it's versatile and effective for use in a variety of creative projects.

Designing your own procreate paper texture can be a rewarding and fulfilling process, allowing you to create truly unique artwork. Remember, there's no right or wrong way to create a texture, so embrace the experimentation and let your creativity flow. With practice and patience, you'll master the art of custom procreate paper textures and take your artwork to new heights.

Pro Tips for Using Procreate Paper Textures

Now that you're familiar with creating and importing Procreate paper textures, let's dive into some pro tips to help you make the most of them in your artwork. These expert suggestions will not only enhance your creative process but also help you achieve stunning results with your Procreate paper textures. So, let's get started!

Layer Blending Modes

One of the most effective ways to incorporate Procreate paper textures into your artwork is by experimenting with layer blending modes. These modes control how the texture layer interacts with the layers beneath it, creating various visual effects. Here are a few blending modes you can try:

Multiply: This mode darkens the base color, making the texture more visible and prominent.
Overlay: Combines the best of both worlds, highlighting the texture while preserving the base color's vibrancy.
Screen: Lightens the base color, resulting in a more subtle texture effect.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different blending modes, as each one can produce a unique effect that might be perfect for your artwork. Remember, the key is to find the right balance between the texture and your art, so it enhances rather than distracts from the overall piece.

Brush Choices for Textures

When working with Procreate paper textures, the brushes you choose can significantly impact the final result. Each brush has its unique properties, allowing you to create different texture effects. To make the most of your Procreate paper texture, consider the following:

Brush type: Choose brushes that complement the texture you're using. For example, a rough, grainy brush works well with a textured paper, while a smooth, round brush might be better suited for a smoother paper texture.
Brush settings: Adjust the brush size, opacity, and flow to control how the texture appears in your artwork. Experiment with these settings to find the perfect balance for your project.

By selecting the right brush and settings, you'll ensure your Procreate paper texture looks natural and harmonious within your artwork.

Experiment with Techniques

Lastly, get creative with your Procreate paper textures by experimenting with different techniques. Here are a couple of ideas to inspire you:

Layering textures: Combine multiple textures on separate layers to create a rich, complex effect. Adjust the opacity and blending modes of each layer to achieve the desired result.
Erasing with texture: Instead of adding texture, try using the Eraser tool with a textured brush to create an interesting, organic effect within your art.

By exploring various techniques, you'll not only expand your artistic skillset but also discover new ways to make your Procreate paper texture stand out in your work.

In conclusion, using Procreate paper textures can significantly enhance your digital artwork, adding depth, realism, and a unique style. By following these pro tips and continuously experimenting, you'll become a master at incorporating Procreate paper textures into your projects. So, have fun, and let your creativity soar!

If you're excited to dive deeper into the world of digital art using Procreate, don't miss out on the workshop 'Procreate Basics: Making Digital Art' by Sameera Maruvada. This workshop will teach you the essential techniques and tools to create stunning art with Procreate, helping you to master the app and bring your creative visions to life.