How to Blend Textures in Procreate: 5 Simple Techniques

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 7 min read

Imagine being able to create stunning digital art that feels as real and textured as a traditional painting. With Procreate, this dream is a reality. One of the most impressive features of this iPad app is its ability to simulate blending textures—making your art come alive. This blog will guide you through the process of blending textures in Procreate, in a simple, relatable, and straightforward manner. Let's dive in!

1. Getting Familiar with Procreate

Before we immerse ourselves in the art of blending textures in Procreate, it's key to get comfortable with the application itself. Here, we'll explore the interface, learn about the tools, and practice with brushes.

Explore the Interface

The first step in your Procreate journey is getting to know the interface. Procreate's design is user-friendly, but it's packed with many features that may not be immediately apparent:

On the top left, you'll find the Actions menu, where you can adjust your canvas settings, share your artwork, and more.
On the top right, you'll see the Brushes, Smudge, Erase, and Layers options.
The Color Picker and Adjustments menus are found on the right-hand side of the screen.

By spending some time navigating these features, you'll become more comfortable with Procreate.

Learn the Tools

Next, let's focus on Procreate's tools. Each tool has a unique function that can greatly enhance your artwork. Here are some important ones:

Brush Tool: Procreate offers a vast library of brushes. From sketching to painting, there's a brush for every style and texture.
Smudge Tool: This is where the magic of blending textures in Procreate begins. The Smudge tool allows you to blend colors and textures seamlessly.
Eraser Tool: Make mistakes disappear with the Eraser tool. What's cool about this tool is that it can also be used as a brush to create unique effects.

Remember, practice makes perfect. So, don't hesitate to play around with these tools and discover their potentials.

Practice with Brushes

Finally, let's get hands-on. Procreate's brushes are its heart and soul—each one offering a unique texture and feel. Some brushes mimic traditional media like charcoal and watercolor, while others introduce you to unique digital effects.

Try a few brushes on a blank canvas. Experiment with different pressure levels and observe how each brush responds. This practice will not only enhance your brush control but also familiarize you with the wide array of textures available—setting a solid foundation for blending textures in Procreate.

2. Understanding Textures

Now that we're comfortable with Procreate's interface and tools, let's dive deeper into the world of textures. Understanding textures, and how they interact with one another, is key to mastering the art of blending textures in Procreate.

Identify Different Textures

Textures give your artwork depth and dimension. They can transform a flat color into a lifelike skin tone or make a simple line look like a strand of hair. Procreate offers a variety of texture brushes, each one simulating a different material or medium:

Charcoal: Mimics the rough, grainy texture of a charcoal stick.
Watercolor: Creates a soft, fluid texture that spreads and blends like real watercolor paint.
Spray Paint: Sprays dots of color, creating a gritty, speckled texture.

Understanding and recognizing these different textures will help you choose the right brushes for your artwork.

Experiment with Texture Effects

Once you've identified different textures, it's time to experiment. How do these textures look when they overlap? How about when you blend them together? What happens when you apply a texture on top of a gradient?

These are the questions you should ask yourself while playing around with texture effects. The answers will give you insight into how textures behave and react to each other—providing you a better understanding of blending textures in Procreate.

Apply Textures to Different Surfaces

Textures can greatly enhance the realism of your artwork, especially when applied to different surfaces. Imagine a wooden table with a rough, grainy texture or a silk dress that's smooth to the touch. These are the details that can bring your artwork to life.

Try applying different textures to various surfaces in your artwork. For example, use the "Charcoal" brush for the rough texture of a tree bark and the "Watercolor" brush for the smooth surface of a lake. The more you practice, the more proficient you'll become at blending textures in Procreate.

3. Blending Textures

Now that we've explored the vast array of textures and how they interact with different surfaces, it's time to get to the heart of this guide: the art of blending textures in Procreate. Remember, blending is more than just smoothing transitions—it's about creating harmony in your artwork.

Use the Smudge Tool

One of the most straightforward ways to blend textures in Procreate is by using the Smudge tool. This tool works by dragging color and texture from one area and spreading it onto another. It's like using your finger to smudge pastel on a piece of paper, hence the name. Here's how you can use it:

Choose your texture brush.
Apply the color or texture to your canvas.
Select the Smudge tool, then stroke over the area you want to blend.

The Smudge tool is great for blending colors and textures together, creating soft transitions and interesting effects.

Layer Blending Modes

Layer blending modes are another powerful tool for blending textures in Procreate. They determine how the colors and textures of your top layer interact with the ones underneath. Here's a quick rundown of some commonly used modes:

Normal: The default mode. The top layer obscures the layers beneath it.
Multiply: Darkens the colors of the top layer based on the colors of the layers beneath it. Great for creating shadows.
Overlay: Boosts the contrast of the colors, making light colors lighter and dark colors darker. Perfect for adding depth.

Experimenting with different blending modes can lead to stunning, unexpected results, so don't be afraid to try them out!

Create Custom Blend Modes

One of the great things about Procreate is that it allows you to customize your blend modes. This means you can create unique effects that are not possible with the standard blend modes. To create a custom blend mode, you simply adjust the opacity and blend mode of each layer until you achieve the desired effect. This flexibility opens up a whole new world of possibilities for blending textures in Procreate.

4. Experimenting with Colors

Now that you've got a handle on blending textures in Procreate, let's add another dimension to your artwork: color. Colors can evoke emotions, set a mood, and even tell a story. However, using them effectively can be a bit tricky, especially when blending them with textures. So, let's break it down:

Use the Color Picker

The Color Picker is your best friend when it comes to selecting colors in Procreate. With it, you can choose any color you can imagine! Here's how:

Tap the color circle in the top-right corner of the screen to open the Color Picker.
Slide your finger around the outer ring to choose a hue.
Then, drag inside the square to adjust the brightness and saturation of that hue.

Voila! You've picked your color. But remember, it's not just about choosing a color—it's about choosing the right one. Consider how it will interact with your textures and the other colors in your artwork.

Blend Colors with Textures

Blending colors with textures in Procreate can really make your artwork pop. Think of the texture as the canvas and the color as the paint. You're not just painting on a flat surface; you're painting on a textured one. This means that the colors will interact with the texture in unique ways, creating depth and visual interest. For example, a rough texture can make a color appear darker, while a smooth texture can make it appear lighter. So, don't be afraid to experiment and see what works best for your artwork.

Create Color Harmonies

Color harmonies are combinations of colors that work well together, creating a balanced and pleasing effect. They're like the chords of your artwork, setting the tone and mood. In Procreate, you can create color harmonies using the Color Harmony tool. It offers several harmony options, like complementary, split complementary, analogous, triadic, and tetradic. Try these out and see how they can enhance your blending of textures and colors in Procreate.

5. Final Tips and Tricks

As we wrap up this guide on blending textures in Procreate, here are a few final pointers to keep in mind. Remember, while these techniques can significantly enhance your Procreate experience, they're just tools to help you express your creative vision. The real magic lies in your hands!

Keep Practicing

Practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to blending textures in Procreate. Each stroke, each blend, each color choice brings you one step closer to mastering the art of digital painting. So, don't be discouraged if your first few attempts don't turn out as expected. Keep experimenting, learning, and growing. In time, you'll see your progress.

Join Procreate Communities

Art isn't made in a vacuum. Joining Procreate communities can provide you with a wealth of inspiration and knowledge. These communities are filled with artists of all skill levels sharing their work, tips, and techniques. You can learn a lot from these peers, so don't hesitate to participate and ask questions. Remember, we all started somewhere.

Finally, don't forget to share your work. Whether it's through social media, art platforms, or even local galleries, sharing your art can be a rewarding experience. It's not just about gaining recognition (although that's a nice bonus); it's about connecting with others. Your artwork might inspire someone else or spark a conversation that wouldn't have happened otherwise. So, go ahead, show the world how you've mastered the art of blending textures in Procreate!

If you're eager to expand your skills in Procreate, don't miss the workshop 'Animating with Procreate and Photoshop' by Nyanza. This workshop will teach you how to bring your textured creations to life by combining the power of Procreate and Photoshop for animation. It's a perfect next step after mastering the techniques in this blog post on blending textures.