Drawing Straight Lines in Procreate: Simple Tips and Techniques for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 19 June 2023 5 min read

Learning how to draw straight lines in Procreate is an essential skill for digital artists. With this guide, you'll become a pro at creating crisp, clean lines in no time. Let's dive in and explore the simple tips and techniques that will help you master straight lines in Procreate.

Getting Familiar with Procreate

Before you start drawing straight lines like a champ, it's necessary to acquaint yourself with Procreate—the powerful digital painting app that has become a favorite among artists. Here are a couple of fundamental aspects to get you started:

Understanding the Interface

Procreate's interface is user-friendly, but it's essential to know your way around it. Key elements to familiarize yourself with include:

Gallery: The main screen where you can view and organize your artworks.
Canvas: The workspace where you'll create your masterpieces.
Toolbar: Located at the top of the screen, it contains essential tools like brushes, eraser, and layers.
Actions Menu: The wrench icon in the toolbar gives you access to settings and options like canvas size, guides, and sharing.

Once you're comfortable with the interface, it's time to choose the right brush for your straight lines.

Choosing the Right Brush

Procreate offers a vast array of brushes for different purposes. To draw straight lines, look for brushes with hard edges and minimal texture. Some popular brushes for this task include:

Inking brushes: Technical Pen, Studio Pen, or Dry Ink.
Pencils: HB Pencil or 6B Pencil for a more traditional feel.
Custom brushes: You can also create your own brush or download brushes made by other artists to suit your needs.

Now that you're familiar with Procreate and have chosen the right brush, you're ready to learn how to draw straight lines in Procreate with confidence.

Drawing Straight Lines

There are several methods to draw straight lines in Procreate, each with its own advantages. Let's explore three of the most common techniques to create flawless straight lines:

Using QuickLine

QuickLine is a built-in feature in Procreate that allows you to draw perfectly straight lines with ease. Follow these simple steps:

Select your desired brush and color.
Draw a line on your canvas and keep your finger or stylus on the screen.
Hold for a second, and the line will automatically snap into a straight line.
Adjust the angle of your line by moving your finger or stylus while still keeping it on the screen.
Release when you're happy with the position of your line.

QuickLine is an excellent tool for creating straight lines on-the-fly, especially when sketching or working on a tight deadline.

Using Guides and Grids

Procreate's built-in guides and grids can help you draw straight lines with precision. Here's how to use them:

Open the Actions Menu by tapping the wrench icon in the toolbar.
Select "Canvas," then tap "Drawing Guide" to enable it.
Tap "Edit Drawing Guide" to customize your grid or choose a different guide type like perspective or isometric.
Use the grid or guides as a reference to draw your straight lines with accuracy.

Guides and grids are particularly useful when working on complex drawings that require consistent angles or precise measurements.

Drawing with a Ruler

For a more traditional approach, you can use a physical ruler or straightedge on your device's screen. Here's how:

Place your ruler on the screen where you want to draw your line.
Select your desired brush and color.
Draw your line along the edge of the ruler, applying gentle pressure to prevent scratching your screen.

This method works best with a stylus that has a fine tip for added precision. Remember to clean your screen and ruler before use to avoid debris causing scratches.

With these techniques in your arsenal, you'll be able to draw straight lines in Procreate with ease. Now let's look at how to perfect those lines and elevate your artwork.

Perfecting Your Lines

Once you've mastered the art of drawing straight lines in Procreate, it's time to take your skills to the next level. In this section, we'll cover two essential techniques to perfect your lines and refine your artwork:

Using the Edit Shape Tool

The Edit Shape tool in Procreate lets you tweak your lines and shapes after you've drawn them. Here's how to use it:

Draw a straight line or shape using one of the techniques we discussed earlier.
Once you've completed your line or shape, tap and hold the "Edit Shape" button in the toolbar.
Drag the blue nodes that appear on your line or shape to adjust its position and angle.
Tap "Done" when you're satisfied with the adjustments.

The Edit Shape tool is a powerful feature that lets you fine-tune your artwork and achieve the perfect lines you've been aiming for.

Streamlining Brush Settings

Adjusting your brush settings can help you create smoother, more consistent lines. Here's how to streamline your brush settings:

Tap the brush icon to open the Brush Library.
Select your desired brush and tap it again to access its settings.
Adjust the "Streamline" slider to increase or decrease the amount of smoothing applied to your strokes.
Experiment with other settings like "Spacing" and "Jitter" to further refine your brush's performance.

By customizing your brush settings, you can create the ideal tool for your specific needs, making it easier to draw straight lines in Procreate and enhance your overall art quality.

Now that you know how to draw and perfect straight lines in Procreate, let's explore some additional tips to help you become a more proficient digital artist.

Additional Tips

As you continue on your journey to master drawing straight lines in Procreate, here are some extra tips to help you become even more skilled and efficient at creating digital art:

Practice and Patience

Like any skill, practice makes perfect. The more you draw straight lines in Procreate, the better you'll become at it. Be patient with yourself, and don't get discouraged if your lines aren't perfect right away. Remember, it's a learning process, and with time and dedication, you'll see significant improvements.

Using Layers

Procreate's layer functionality is a game-changer for digital artists. It allows you to work on different parts of your artwork separately, making it easier to edit and refine your lines without affecting the rest of your drawing. Here's how to use layers effectively:

Create a new layer by tapping the "+" button in the Layers panel.
Draw your straight lines on the new layer, keeping them separate from other elements of your artwork.
Edit and adjust your lines as needed without worrying about disturbing the rest of your drawing.
When you're satisfied with your lines, merge them with other layers to complete your artwork.

Using layers will not only help you improve your straight lines but also make your overall workflow more efficient and organized.

Exploring Online Resources

Take advantage of the many online resources available for Procreate users. There are countless tutorials, forums, and social media groups where you can learn new techniques, ask questions, and connect with fellow artists. Don't be afraid to seek help or advice—you'd be surprised at how much you can learn from others who share your passion for digital art.

With these tips and techniques, you're well on your way to mastering how to draw straight lines in Procreate. Remember to be patient, practice regularly, and always be open to learning new skills. Before you know it, you'll be creating stunning digital artwork with confidence and ease. Happy drawing!

If you're excited to dive deeper into the world of digital art, don't miss the workshop titled 'Intro to Procreate: Drawing with Digital Tools' by Vicky Catalan. This workshop is perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike, offering expert guidance on how to make the most of the Procreate app and unleash your creativity with digital tools.