Creating Fishnet Brushes in Procreate: A Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

Ready to take your digital art to the next level with Procreate? Great! This guide will step you through the process of creating your very own fishnet brushes in Procreate. Whether you are a seasoned Procreate user or just getting started, this guide will have you designing your custom fishnet brushes in no time. So, let's get started!

Setting up Your Workspace

The first step to creating fishnet brushes in Procreate is to set up your workspace. This process includes downloading Procreate, choosing the right brush, and adjusting the brush settings. Let's dive into each step!

Download Procreate

If you haven't already, you'll need to download Procreate from your device's app store. Procreate is a versatile app that's perfect for digital art, and it's especially great for creating custom brushes like the fishnet brushes we're focusing on today.

Choose the Right Brush

Once Procreate is downloaded, you'll need to choose the right brush to start with. While Procreate comes with a variety of brushes, we recommend starting with the 'Studio Pen' for creating fishnet designs. This brush has a smooth, rounded tip that's perfect for creating the rounded edges of fishnet patterns.

Adjust Brush Settings

Now it's time to adjust your brush settings. In the brush settings menu—found by tapping on the currently selected brush—you can adjust a variety of settings to get your brush just right. For creating fishnet brushes in Procreate, you'll want to adjust the 'Spacing' to around 15% and 'Streamline' to 100% to ensure smooth, evenly spaced lines. Remember, these settings are just a starting point; feel free to experiment and find what works best for you!

Drawing The Fishnet Design

Now that your workspace is all set up, it's time to start drawing your fishnet design. This involves creating a new layer, using the pencil tool, and drawing your design. Don't worry if you're not an expert artist—fishnet designs are quite simple and can be perfected with a bit of practice.

Create a New Layer

Start by creating a new layer. This can be done by tapping the '+' icon in the layers panel. Creating a new layer for your design ensures that it won't interfere with any other artwork in your canvas and can be easily edited or deleted if needed.

Use Pencil Tool

Next, select the pencil tool from the brushes panel. The pencil tool is perfect for creating fishnet designs due to its versatility and ease of use. Remember to adjust your brush size and opacity to suit your style; you might want a thin, subtle fishnet effect or a chunky, bold design!

Draw The Design

Now it's time to draw your design. Start by drawing a series of parallel lines, then cross these with another set of parallel lines to create a diamond or square pattern. Try to keep your lines evenly spaced for a consistent fishnet effect. Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect—unique, hand-drawn brushes can add a personal touch to your digital art. Once you're happy with your design, you're ready to convert it into a brush!

Converting The Design Into Brush

Now that you've drawn your fishnet design, the next step is to transform it into a usable brush in Procreate. Hang tight, because we're going to select the design, save it as a brush, and then test it out. It's simpler than it sounds—let's dive right in!

Select The Design

First off, use the Selection tool in the toolbar at the top of the Procreate interface. Ensure you're in the right layer with your fishnet design, then drag the tool across your design to select it. You'll see a blue overlay appear over your selection—this means you've got it right.

Save as Brush

With your design selected, it's time to save it as a brush. Tap on the Brush Library, and hit the '+' symbol at the top right to create a new brush. Then, under the 'Shape' section, tap 'Edit', and 'Insert photo' to import your selected design. Now, you've created your very own fishnet brush in Procreate!

Test Your Brush

Finally, it's time to see your creation in action. Create a new layer to keep things tidy, then select your newly created brush from the Brush Library. Draw a few lines or shapes to see how your fishnet brush behaves. Play around with the pressure sensitivity and tilt functions to get a feel for your new tool. Congratulations—you've just created and tested your own fishnet brushes in Procreate!

Tips for Using Fishnet Brushes

Now that you have your brand-new fishnet brush in Procreate, let's talk about how to use it effectively. Like any other art tool, it takes a bit of practice and experimentation to get the hang of it. But don't worry, you'll be creating amazing artwork in no time. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Try Different Colors

Who says fishnets have to be black? You can change the color of your fishnet brushes in Procreate as easily as changing your mind. Just select the color wheel and pick any hue that strikes your fancy. You can even adjust the opacity for a more subtle effect. Remember, art is all about expressing yourself—so don't be afraid to get colorful!

Use on Different Layers

One of the great things about Procreate is its layering capability. By using your fishnet brush on different layers, you can create stunning layered effects. For example, you could draw a fishnet pattern in one color, then add another layer and draw over it in a different color. The possibilities are endless—so go ahead and layer it up!

Experiment with Blending Modes

Last but certainly not least, try playing around with blending modes. These are the options you find under the "N" symbol when you select a layer. They can dramatically change the appearance of your fishnet design, creating effects like color burn, overlay, and multiply. Mixing and matching blending modes with different colors can lead to some truly unique art—so don't be shy about experimenting!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

When it comes to art, sometimes things don't always go as planned. It's part of the journey! So, if you're having a bit of trouble with your fishnet brushes in Procreate, don't stress. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:

Brush is Not Visible

If your fishnet brush isn't showing up on the canvas, don't panic. It could be as simple as your brush opacity or layer opacity being set too low. Check both of these settings and adjust them if necessary. And remember, you can always undo any steps if things don't look right.

Brush is Not Working Properly

Is your brush acting a bit wonky? First, try closing and reopening Procreate. Sometimes, the software just needs a quick reset. If that doesn't work, double-check your brush settings. You might have accidentally changed something without realizing it. And if all else fails, don't worry—you can always download a fresh copy of the brush and start again.

Fishnet Design is Not Clear

If your fishnet design is coming out blurry or unclear, there are a few things you might want to check. First, make sure your canvas size is large enough. If it's too small, your fishnet pattern might not have enough room to shine. Also, check your brush size. If it's too large or too small, it can distort the design. Finally, remember to keep your stylus pressure constant while drawing to maintain the clarity of the design.

Creating fishnet brushes in Procreate can be a fun and rewarding experience. Don't get discouraged if things don't go perfectly the first time. Keep experimenting and you'll soon be creating art that's uniquely yours!

If you enjoyed learning about creating fishnet brushes in Procreate, you'll love the workshop 'Animating with Procreate and Photoshop' by Nyanza. This workshop will teach you how to bring your digital art to life by combining the power of Procreate and Photoshop. Expand your creative skillset and start animating your artwork today!