Creating Procreate Gradients: 4 Simple Steps

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 5 min read

Designing in Procreate becomes a breeze once you understand the basics of gradients. Whether you're a professional artist or just someone who enjoys digital painting, knowing how to make a gradient in Procreate can take your creations to a new level. This blog post will guide you through four easy steps to make gradients in Procreate, starting with setting up your canvas and ending with sharing your gradient with others. So, grab your iPad, open up Procreate, and let's get started!

Step 1: Set Up Your Canvas

Before we dive into creating gradients, let's start with the basics: setting up your canvas. This is where the magic happens, so you want to make sure you have it set up correctly. Here's how:

Choose the Right Canvas Size

First off, you'll want to select the right canvas size. This depends on your project, but a good rule of thumb is to go as high as your device can comfortably handle. Larger canvases offer more detail and flexibility, but also require more processing power. For example, if you're using an older iPad model, you might want to stick with a 2048x2048 pixel canvas, while a newer model could handle a 4096x4096 pixel canvas.

Select a Color Scheme

Next, it's time to decide on a color scheme. This will play a major role in how your gradient turns out. Procreate offers a variety of pre-set color palettes, but feel free to create your own. Remember, a gradient is a smooth transition between colors—so you'll want to select colors that blend well together.

Pick Your Brush

Last but not least, it's time to pick your brush. Each brush in Procreate behaves differently and can greatly affect your gradient’s appearance. If you're new to Procreate, the "Soft Airbrush" is a safe and versatile choice for creating gradients. It's located in the "Airbrushing" category. But don't let that limit you—feel free to experiment with different brushes to see what unique results you can achieve.

Now that you've got your canvas set up, you're ready to get started on making that gradient. Stay tuned for step 2 where we'll begin to add some color!

Step 2: Create a Color Gradient

Now that your canvas is set up and your tools are ready, it's time to get down to the fun part—creating the color gradient. Here's how to make a gradient in Procreate:

Start with a Base Color

First, you'll need to choose your base color. This is the color that your gradient will start with. Select your preferred base color from the color picker or your pre-selected color scheme. Once chosen, use your brush to paint a swath of this color across your canvas. This will form the backbone of your gradient.

Add Contrast with a Secondary Color

Now, it's time to introduce some contrast. Select a secondary color from your color palette. This color should ideally be significantly different from your base color to create a noticeable gradient. Paint this color next to or on top of the base color. The key here is to maintain some space between the two colors to allow for blending, which brings us to the next step.

Blend the Colors

Now comes the most satisfying part—blending the colors. You can do this by using the 'Smudge' tool which is located next to the brush tool in the top right corner of the screen. Adjust the smudge tool's size and pressure according to your preference and then gently drag it over the space where the two colors meet. Remember, the goal is to create a smooth transition from one color to the next. It might take a few tries to get it just right, but don't worry—you'll get the hang of it.

And just like that, you've created your first color gradient in Procreate! In the next step, we'll learn how to adjust the gradient settings to achieve various looks and effects.

Step 3: Adjust the Gradient Settings

Creating the gradient is just the beginning. You've got the basic idea of how to make a gradient in Procreate, but now let's add some depth and dimension to it. It's time to adjust the gradient settings.

Adjust the Opacity

One way to control the intensity of your gradient is through the opacity setting. Lowering the opacity of your brush as you paint can create a more subtle transition between colors. To adjust the opacity, you'll find the slider in the top left corner of your screen. Play around with this setting until you get your desired effect. Remember, the lower the opacity, the softer your gradient will be.

Change the Gradient Type

Did you know Procreate allows you to create different types of gradients? Yes, it's not just about linear gradients. By changing the gradient type, you can create radial gradients, angle gradients, reflected gradients, and more. You can find these options in the 'Adjustments' panel. Experiment with these to add a unique twist to your designs.

Experiment with Different Settings

Procreate is a playground for creativity—there are numerous settings you can tweak to get the unique gradient effect you're after. You could alter the blend modes, use different brush types, or even combine multiple gradients. The possibilities are endless. So, don't hesitate to play around with different settings. Remember, learning how to make a gradient in Procreate is all about experimenting and having fun.

Now that you've created and fine-tuned your gradient, let's move on to the final step—saving and exporting your work.

Step 4: Save and Export Your Gradient

After you've created your gradient masterpiece, it's important to save your work properly. Let's take a look at how you can save, export, and share your gradient—because what's the point of learning how to make a gradient in Procreate if you can't show it off to the world, right?

Save Your Gradient in Procreate

First things first, you need to save your gradient within Procreate. By doing so, you can access and use it anytime in your future projects. To do this, you simply tap on the 'Actions' menu (the wrench icon), then tap on 'Add' and select 'Save to palette'. Now, your gradient is safely stored in your color palettes.

Export for Use in Other Projects

Want to use your gradient outside of Procreate? No problem. You can export your gradient as an image file. To do this, go to the 'Actions' menu, choose 'Share' and then select your preferred format, like JPEG or PNG. Now, you can use your gradient in other design projects or software.

Finally, let's not forget to share your work with others. Whether you want to impress your friends, collaborate with other artists, or showcase your work on social media, sharing your gradient is a breeze. Just go to the 'Actions' menu, tap 'Share', and choose your preferred method.

And there you have it! You now know how to make a gradient in Procreate, from setting up your canvas to saving and sharing your work. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep experimenting and have fun with your designs.

If you're looking to expand your skills in Procreate even further, don't miss the workshop 'Animating with Procreate and Photoshop' by Nyanza. This workshop will teach you how to create amazing animations using both Procreate and Photoshop, adding a new dimension to your digital art projects.