Discover Top Procreate Color Palettes: A Practical Guide for Artists

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 24 May 2023 10 min read

Procreate is an incredibly powerful digital art tool that has taken the creative world by storm, and one of its many features is the ability to create and use color palettes. In this practical guide, we'll dive into the world of Procreate color palettes, and explore how to make the most of them in your artistic pursuits. So grab your iPad and let's get started!

1. Exploring Procreate Color Palettes

Before we jump into creating and managing color palettes in Procreate, it's essential to understand the basics of color theory, popular palettes, and where to find inspiration for your own palettes.

Understanding Color Theory

Color theory is the foundation of any artist's toolkit, and it's no different when working with Procreate color palettes. Here are some key concepts to keep in mind:

Hue: The basic color, such as red, blue, or yellow.
Value: The lightness or darkness of a color.
Chroma: The intensity or saturation of a color.
Complementary colors: Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel and create strong contrast when used together.
Analogous colors: Colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel and create harmony when used together.

By understanding these concepts, you can create Procreate color palettes that enhance your artwork and create the desired mood or atmosphere.

Popular Procreate Color Palettes

There are countless color palettes available, but some have become particularly popular among Procreate users. Here are a few examples:

Monochromatic: A palette made up of various shades, tints, and tones of a single hue.
Complementary: A palette that includes a pair of complementary colors, along with their shades, tints, and tones.
Triadic: A palette featuring three evenly spaced colors on the color wheel, such as red, yellow, and blue.
Split-complementary: A palette that starts with a base color and incorporates the two colors adjacent to its complement on the color wheel.

Experimenting with different Procreate color palettes can help you find the perfect combination to bring your artwork to life.

Finding Inspiration for Your Palettes

When it comes to creating Procreate color palettes, inspiration can come from anywhere. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Nature: The world around us is full of stunning color combinations, from sunsets to flowers to the changing seasons.
Artwork: Study the color palettes of your favorite artists or art movements to understand what makes their work stand out.
Photography: Browse through photographs you love, and use the color picker tool in Procreate to sample colors for your palette.
Color generators: Use online color generators to create random or customized color palettes based on your preferences.

Remember, the more you explore and experiment with color, the more you'll develop your own unique style and Procreate color palettes.

2. Creating Procreate Color Palettes

Now that we've explored the world of color theory and found inspiration for our palettes, it's time to dive into creating your own Procreate color palettes. We'll take you through the process of setting up your palette, selecting and organizing colors, and customizing your palettes to suit your artistic needs.

Setting Up Your Palette

Creating a new palette in Procreate is a breeze. Just follow these simple steps:

Open the Color Panel by tapping the colored circle in the top-right corner of the screen.
Select the Palettes tab at the bottom of the panel.
Tap the + icon to create a new palette.
Give your new palette a name that reflects its purpose or theme.

And there you have it! Your new palette is ready to be filled with colors that will bring your artwork to life.

Selecting and Organizing Colors

With your palette set up, it's time to add colors. There are several ways to do this in Procreate:

Color Picker: Use the Color Picker tool to select a color, then tap an empty square in your palette to add it. You can also tap and hold an existing color to replace it.
Color Wheel: Navigate to the Color Wheel tab in the Color Panel, and find a hue that appeals to you. Adjust the value and chroma using the sliders, then tap an empty square in your palette to add the color.
Color Sampling: If you see a color you like in an existing image, use the Eyedropper tool to sample the color, then tap an empty square in your palette to add it.
Color Codes: If you know the exact color code (HEX, RGB, or HSB) you want to use, enter it in the appropriate tab of the Color Panel, then tap an empty square in your palette to add the color.

Organizing your colors is also important. You can easily rearrange colors in your palette by tapping and holding a color, then dragging it to a new position. This allows you to group similar colors together or create gradients for easier selection when painting.

Customizing and Adjusting Palettes

Procreate color palettes are versatile, allowing you to make adjustments to suit your needs. Here are a few tips for customizing and adjusting your palettes:

Adjusting colors: To tweak a color in your palette, tap it to select it, then use the Color Wheel, sliders, or color code input to make adjustments. Your changes will automatically update in the palette.
Deleting colors: If you no longer need a color in your palette, tap and hold it, then choose "Delete" from the pop-up menu.
Duplicating colors: To duplicate a color, tap and hold it, then choose "Duplicate" from the pop-up menu. This is helpful if you want to create a gradient or make subtle color variations.
Adjusting palette size: Procreate color palettes can hold up to 30 colors, but you can add or remove rows to accommodate more or fewer colors. To do this, tap and hold an empty square, then choose "Add Row" or "Delete Row" from the pop-up menu.

With these customization options, you can create Procreate color palettes that are tailored to your artistic vision and workflow.

3. Importing and Exporting Procreate Color Palettes

Now that you've learned how to create your own Procreate color palettes, let's explore how to import and export these palettes to share with others or use in different projects. In this section, we'll discuss the process of importing palettes from other sources, exporting your palettes for sharing, and understanding palette formats.

Importing Palettes from Other Sources

There may be times when you find an amazing Procreate color palette created by someone else, and you want to use it in your own work. To import a palette into Procreate, follow these steps:

Save the palette file (usually in .swatches format) to your device or a cloud storage service like iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
Open Procreate and go to the Color Panel.
Select the Palettes tab at the bottom of the panel.
Tap the Import button, and navigate to the location where the palette file is stored.
Select the file, and Procreate will automatically import the palette into your collection.

Voilà! You now have a new Procreate color palette ready to use in your artwork.

Sharing your Procreate color palettes with others is a great way to collaborate on projects or simply inspire your fellow artists. To export a palette, follow these simple steps:

Open the Color Panel in Procreate and select the Palettes tab.
Tap the Share icon next to the palette you want to export.
Choose your preferred format (more on that below).
Select how you want to share the palette, such as via email, text message, or saving it to a cloud storage service.

Now your palette is on its way to inspire others!

Understanding Palette Formats

Procreate color palettes can be exported in two formats: .swatches and .ase. Let's take a closer look at each:

.swatches: This is Procreate's native palette format. It is the most compatible with Procreate, and it's perfect for sharing with other Procreate users. However, it might not be supported by other digital art applications.
.ase (Adobe Swatch Exchange): This format is used by Adobe applications such as Photoshop and Illustrator. Exporting in .ase allows you to share your Procreate color palettes with users of these Adobe programs, broadening your sharing capabilities.

When exporting your palettes, consider which format is best for the person you're sharing it with or the application you plan to use it in. This will ensure a seamless transition between your Procreate color palettes and other creative tools.

4. Palette Management in Procreate

As you begin to accumulate a collection of Procreate color palettes, it's essential to keep them organized and easy to access. In this section, we'll discuss how to organize your color palettes, name and label them effectively, and store and back up your palettes to protect your creative assets.

4. Palette Management in Procreate

As your collection of Procreate color palettes grows, it's important to keep everything organized and easily accessible. In this section, we'll dive into organizing your color palettes, naming and labeling them effectively, and storing and backing up your palettes to safeguard your creative assets.

Organizing Your Color Palettes

Keeping your Procreate color palettes organized will save you time and frustration when searching for the perfect palette for your artwork. Here are some tips to help you stay organized:

Group similar palettes: Organize your palettes by theme, project, or color scheme, so it's easier to locate the right palette when you need it.
Arrange palettes by recency: Move the palettes you use most frequently to the top of your list, making them easier to find and access.
Use folders: Although Procreate doesn't currently support folders for palettes, you can use a third-party app or cloud storage service to create folders and keep backup copies of your palettes organized.

By keeping your Procreate color palettes organized, you'll find it much easier to locate the right palette for your current project or simply browse through your collection for inspiration.

Naming and Labeling Your Palettes

Effective naming and labeling of your Procreate color palettes can make a big difference when it comes to finding the right palette quickly. Here are some naming tips to consider:

Be descriptive: Use names that describe the palette's theme, colors, or intended purpose, such as "Sunset Hues" or "Ocean Blues."
Include project names: If a palette is specific to a particular project, include the project name in the palette name, like "Character Design - Sci-Fi."
Keep it consistent: Develop a naming convention and stick to it, making it easier to locate palettes based on their names alone.

With clear and consistent naming, you'll spend less time searching for the right Procreate color palettes and more time creating fantastic artwork.

Storing and Backing Up Palettes

Your Procreate color palettes are valuable creative assets, so it's essential to protect them by storing and backing them up. Here's how:

Export palettes regularly: Export your most important palettes in .swatches format, and save them to a safe location like a cloud storage service or external drive.
Use multiple storage methods: Don't rely on just one storage method. Save your palettes in multiple locations to ensure their safety in case one storage method fails.
Backup before updates: Before updating Procreate or your device, make sure to back up your palettes, as updates can sometimes cause data loss.

By taking the time to store and back up your Procreate color palettes, you'll ensure that your hard work and creative inspiration are always safe and accessible.

5. Procreate Tips for Working with Color Palettes

Now that you've mastered palette management, let's explore some Procreate tips for working with color palettes more effectively. In this section, we'll discuss using the Color Dropper tool, color blending techniques, and making color adjustments to get the most out of your palettes.

5. Procreate Tips for Working with Color Palettes

Now that we've covered palette management, let's dive into some practical tips for working with Procreate color palettes more effectively. In this section, we'll discuss using the Color Dropper tool, color blending techniques, and making color adjustments to help you get the most out of your palettes.

Using the Color Dropper Tool

The Color Dropper tool in Procreate is a handy feature that allows you to quickly select and use colors from your artwork or Procreate color palettes. Here's how to make the most of this useful tool:

Quick activation: To activate the Color Dropper tool, simply press and hold on the canvas. The tool will appear, allowing you to pick a color from your artwork or palette.
Adjusting color accuracy: You can control the Color Dropper's accuracy by adjusting the threshold setting. A higher threshold will result in a broader color selection, while a lower threshold will give you a more precise color match.
Instant color switching: Need to switch between two colors frequently? Just tap and hold the color circle in the top right corner, and the Color Dropper will appear, allowing you to quickly pick a color from your artwork or palettes.

Mastering the Color Dropper tool will help you work more efficiently with your Procreate color palettes and keep your creative flow going.

Color Blending Techniques

Blending colors in Procreate can help you create smooth transitions and achieve a more natural look in your artwork. Let's explore some color blending techniques that work well with Procreate color palettes:

Use blending brushes: Procreate comes with various blending brushes, such as the Smudge tool and the Soft Brush. Experiment with these brushes and their settings to achieve the desired blending effect.
Layer blending modes: By using layer blending modes, you can create unique color interactions between layers. For instance, try the "Multiply" or "Overlay" blending modes to see how they affect your Procreate color palettes.
Opacity control: Adjusting the opacity of your brush or layer can help you create subtle color blends. Start with a low opacity and gradually build up the color intensity for a smoother blend.

By mastering color blending techniques, you can bring out the full potential of your Procreate color palettes and create more visually appealing artwork.

Making Color Adjustments

As an artist, you may find yourself needing to tweak the colors in your Procreate color palettes to better suit your artwork. Here are some tips on making color adjustments in Procreate:

Hue, Saturation, and Brightness: Use the HSB sliders in the color panel to adjust the hue, saturation, and brightness of your selected color. This allows you to fine-tune your Procreate color palettes to achieve the perfect shade for your artwork.
Color Balance: The Color Balance adjustment tool can help you modify the overall color balance of your artwork or a specific layer. By adjusting the sliders, you can create warmer or cooler color tones, enhancing the overall mood of your piece.
Curves: The Curves adjustment tool provides precise control over the tonal range of your colors. By manipulating the curve, you can adjust the contrast, brightness, and color balance to bring out the best in your Procreate color palettes.

By learning how to make color adjustments effectively, you'll be able to fine-tune your Procreate color palettes and achieve the perfect color harmony in your artwork.

Armed with these Procreate tips, you're now ready to explore the world of Procreate color palettes and create stunning artwork with confidence. Remember to stay organized, practice your blending techniques, and don't be afraid to experiment with color adjustments to bring your creative vision to life. Happy creating!

If you're excited about exploring new color palettes in Procreate and want to learn more about creating digital art, don't miss the workshop 'Procreate Basics: Making Digital Art' by Sameera Maruvada. This workshop will teach you the essential techniques and tools needed to create stunning digital artwork using Procreate, taking your artistic skills to new heights.