Creating a Square Brush in Procreate: Tips and Techniques

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

Procreate, the popular digital illustration app, offers vast possibilities for artists to customize their brushes. One such customization is creating a square brush, perfect for calligraphy and various other art styles. This blog post will guide you through the process of creating a square brush in Procreate, providing handy tips and techniques along the way.

Getting Familiar with Procreate

Before we start creating our square brush, let's first get comfortable with the Procreate interface. Like a new sketchbook, Procreate can be a bit intimidating at first. But don't worry; you'll soon be navigating it like a pro.

Learn the Interface

The Procreate interface is clean and user-friendly, but knowing where everything is will make your drawing experience smooth. Here's what you need to know:

On the top left, you have the Actions button (the wrench icon), which gives access to your Canvas settings, Share options, and more.
Next to it, there's the Adjustments button (the magic wand icon), where you can apply effects to your artwork.
The Layers button (two squares) on the top right allows you to manage your layers — add, delete, rearrange, or change their opacity.
Finally, on the right side of the screen, you have your Brush, Smudge, Eraser, and Color tools.

Explore the Brush Library

Now that you're familiar with the interface, it's time to explore the Brush Library. Procreate comes with a set of pre-made brushes, categorized into different sets like Sketching, Painting, Calligraphy, and more. Each brush has a unique texture and behavior, so take your time to try them out. Remember, you can always modify these brushes or even create your own, like the square brush we're about to make in this guide.

Selecting the Right Brush

Before we dive into creating the square brush, let's understand how to select the right base brush from the existing ones.

Understand Default Brushes

It's important to know that every brush in Procreate has its own unique characteristics. Some brushes are designed for sketching, while others are perfect for coloring or shading. For creating a square brush, you'd want to choose a base brush that already has some square-like properties. So, take some time to play around with the default brushes and see how each one behaves on the canvas. Keep in mind that you can adjust the size and opacity of each brush from the brush slider on the side.

Choose a Brush as Base

Once you're familiar with the default brushes, it's time to choose one to serve as the base for your square brush. A good starting point could be the Hard Airbrush in the airbrushing set. Why? Because it has a simple, solid fill which makes it easier to manipulate into a square shape. Go ahead and select it from the brush library.

Creating the Square Brush

Now the fun part begins — let's create your very own square brush in Procreate!

Access the Brush Settings

With your base brush selected, tap on it again to open the Brush Settings. Here you will see a whole range of options to customize your brush. Don't worry if it seems overwhelming — you won't need to tweak all of these settings. For a square brush, you'll mainly be focusing on the Shape and Grain settings.

Adjust the Brush Shape

Under the Shape settings, look for the option called Shape Source. This is where you can change the basic form of your brush. To create a square brush, you'll need to import a square shape here. If you don't have one already, you can easily create a square in Procreate using the Selection tool and filling it with color. Once you've done that, simply copy and paste the square as your new Shape Source. There you have it — the basic form of your square brush in Procreate!

Testing Your New Brush

It's one thing to create a brush, but it's equally important to test it and fine-tune it to your liking. Let's see how you can do that.

Draw and Adjust

Now that you've created your square brush, it's time to see it in action. Select your new brush and start drawing on the canvas. How does it feel? If the brush is too hard or too soft, or if you want it to have more or less spacing, you can adjust these settings back in the Brush Settings. Remember, creating the perfect square brush in Procreate is all about testing and tweaking until it feels just right for your needs.

Save Your Custom Brush

Once you're happy with your new square brush, don't forget to save it. You can do this by going back to the Brush Library and tapping the + sign to create a new brush set. Name this set something like "My Custom Brushes", and move your square brush into this set. Now, your custom square brush is saved and ready to use whenever you need it!

Final Tips and Tricks

Now that you know how to create a square brush in Procreate, here are a few more tips to help you get the most out of your new tool.

Experiment with Other Shapes

Creating a square brush is just the beginning. You can use the same process to create brushes in all sorts of shapes — circles, triangles, stars, you name it! The more you experiment, the more you'll discover the endless possibilities of custom brushes in Procreate.

Understand the Impact of Pressure

One cool thing about Procreate is its sensitivity to pressure. This means that the harder you press on your screen, the more intense the brush effect will be. With your square brush, try applying different levels of pressure to see how it changes the look and feel of your strokes. This can add a whole new level of depth and texture to your digital art.

And there you have it: a step-by-step guide on creating a square brush in Procreate. Happy drawing, and remember — experimentation is the key to unlocking your full potential in digital art!

Testing Your New Brush

With your newly created square brush in Procreate, it's time to put it to work. This stage is all about understanding how your brush performs and making any necessary adjustments to suit your style of work. So, let's get into it!

Draw and Adjust

Start by drawing some lines and shapes on your canvas. Notice how the square brush feels. Is it too soft? Too hard? Maybe it's not leaving the type of marks you expected? Well, this is your chance to tweak it. Go back to the brush settings and make any adjustments you feel are necessary. Remember, the goal is to create a square brush in Procreate that feels comfortable and intuitive to use. So, don't be afraid to make changes until you get it just right!

Save Your Custom Brush

Once you're happy with how your square brush is performing, it's time to save it. This is a simple step, but it's crucial. Go back to your brush library, tap the '+' icon, and create a new brush set. You can name this set something like "My Custom Brushes". Then, move your new square brush into this set. By doing this, your square brush is now saved and ready for use whenever you need it. Pretty neat, right?

Final Tips and Tricks

So, you've created your first square brush in Procreate, and you're starting to feel like a pro. But guess what? There's still more to learn. Here are a few tips and techniques to help you take your Procreate brush creation skills to the next level.

Experiment with Other Shapes

Now that you're comfortable with creating a square brush, why not try your hand at different shapes? A circle brush, for example, can be a great tool for creating smooth, flowing lines. Meanwhile, a triangle-shaped brush could add a unique texture to your digital paintings. The possibilities are endless. So go ahead, let your creativity soar!

Understand the Impact of Pressure

One unique feature of Procreate is its sensitivity to pressure. This means that the harder you press on your screen, the thicker your lines become. This can add a whole new level of depth and realism to your artwork. But remember, it's all about balance. Press too hard, and your lines may become too thick. Press too lightly, and they may not register at all. So take the time to understand how pressure impacts your square brush. It'll make a world of difference!

And there you have it! With these tips and techniques, you're well on your way to mastering the art of creating a square brush in Procreate. So go on, start experimenting, and see where your creativity leads you. Happy drawing!

If you enjoyed learning about creating a square brush in Procreate and want to take your skills even further, don't miss the workshop 'Animating with Procreate and Photoshop' by Nyanza. This workshop will teach you how to create stunning animations using both Procreate and Photoshop, expanding your digital art capabilities and opening up new creative possibilities.