How to Import Procreate Brushes: A Comprehensive Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 8 min read

When it comes to digital artistry and illustration, Procreate is a game-changer, and its brushes are the real deal. They bring a world of creativity and versatility right to your fingertips. But, how do you import these magic wands into your iPad? This guide will walk you through the process of how to import Procreate brushes, making it as easy as pie. Let's dive in.

What are Procreate Brushes?

Procreate brushes are the heart and soul of the Procreate app, the go-to tool for digital artists. They are like the digital equivalent of the brushes you use in traditional painting, but with a lot more options and flexibility. Let's get a better understanding of these brushes and why they are so important.

Understanding Procreate Brushes

Procreate Brushes are a unique feature of the Procreate app. They're more than just simple tools for painting or sketching. Each brush has its own settings, allowing you to customize its shape, texture, and behavior. You can alter the brush's opacity, blend modes, and even how it reacts to pressure and tilt. This gives you a world of possibilities when creating your digital art.

Benefits of Procreate Brushes

Procreate brushes offer a whole new level of creativity. Here are some of their benefits:

Flexibility: You can modify the characteristics of your brush to suit your needs.
Variety: There are hundreds of brushes to choose from, each with different textures and effects.
Precision: Procreate brushes offer precision that traditional brushes can't, making it easier to create detailed work.
Convenience: No need for a cleanup! Go wild with your brushes without worrying about the mess.

Where to Find Procreate Brushes

There are plenty of places to find Procreate brushes. They come pre-installed in the Procreate app, but you can also find them on various online platforms like Creative Market, Gumroad, and even Etsy. Some artists also share their custom brushes for free or for a small fee. The world of Procreate brushes is vast, so don't be afraid to explore!

Prepare Your iPad

Now that we understand what Procreate brushes are and their benefits, it's time to prepare your iPad for importing these creative tools. Here's how to get your iPad ready for action.

Setup iPad for Import

First things first, ensure that your iPad's operating system is up-to-date. This is crucial because Procreate requires iOS 13.2 or later. Next, make sure you have enough storage space for the Procreate app and the brushes you will import.

Install Procreate App

Next step on our journey of learning how to import Procreate brushes is to install the Procreate app. You can find it on the Apple App Store. It's a paid app, but trust me, it's worth every penny. After the installation, take some time to familiarize yourself with the app. Play around with the tools, explore the interface, and get comfortable. After all, it's going to be your canvas for all your future digital masterpieces.

Choosing the Right Brushes

Alright, your iPad is all set up, and Procreate is ready to go. Now comes the fun part - choosing the right brushes. Remember, the right brush can make a world of difference in your artwork. So let's get to it.

Identify Your Need

Before you start downloading brushes left and right, take a moment to think about what you need. Are you going for a watercolor effect or more of a pencil sketch vibe? Perhaps, you're looking for a brush to create realistic fur or grass? Identifying your need will make the process of finding the perfect brush a whole lot easier.

Explore Different Brush Types

Procreate offers a variety of brush types, each with a unique effect. There are painting brushes, sketching brushes, texture brushes, and many more. Don't be shy; try them all out. The more you experiment, the more you'll understand what each brush brings to the table.

Purchase or Download Brushes

Once you've explored and identified what you need, it's time to download or purchase your brushes. You can find a range of free and premium brushes online. Keep in mind that quality often comes at a price, but there are some amazing free brushes out there, too. So, keep an open mind and happy brush hunting!

Choosing the Right Brushes

You've got your iPad primed, Procreate installed, and you’re ready to dive into the exciting world of digital art. But wait, which brushes do you choose? Let's explore how to make this decision easier.

Identify Your Need

What's your artistic vision? Are you aiming to sketch an intricate portrait or create a whimsical watercolor landscape? Identifying your need is vital for selecting the right brushes. If you're unsure, no worries—you can always try a bit of everything until you find your style.

Explore Different Brush Types

With Procreate, you can play Picasso with a range of brush types. Whether you're looking for the precision of a technical pen, the soft strokes of a paintbrush, or the organic feel of charcoal, there's a brush for that. So, don't hesitate to explore and experiment—each brush type brings something unique to your digital canvas.

Purchase or Download Brushes

Now that you've identified your needs and explored the different brush types, it's time to populate your Procreate toolbox. There are numerous resources online to purchase or download brushes. While some high-quality brushes come with a price tag, there are also excellent free options available. Remember, the goal is to find brushes that align with your style, not to collect them all!

Importing Brushes to Procreate

Alright, you've chosen your brushes—now, it's time to learn how to import Procreate brushes into your app. Don't worry, it's simpler than you might think!

Step-by-Step Import Process

Ready to import? Great! Follow these steps:

Open the Procreate app and tap on the '+' to create a new canvas.
Tap the paintbrush icon to open the Brushes panel.
Tap the '+' again to create a new brush set or choose an existing one.
In the Brush set, tap the '+' to import a brush.
Navigate to where you stored the downloaded brushes and select the brush you want to import.

And voila! Your brush is ready to use.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you face any issues while importing brushes, don't panic. Sometimes, brushes may not import correctly due to file corruption, or the brushes are not compatible with your version of Procreate. Double-check the brush compatibility and try downloading the file again.

Importing Brushes to Procreate

You've chosen your brushes based on your needs and explored the different types available. Now, it's time to get these brushes into your Procreate app. Let's break down how to import Procreate brushes.

Step-by-Step Import Process

Importing brushes to Procreate is a pretty straightforward process. Let's walk through it step by step:

Open up the Procreate app on your iPad.
In the top right, you'll see a paintbrush icon. Tap it.
This opens the brushes panel. In the top right of this panel, you'll see a plus sign (+). Tap it.
Now, you'll see an option to import from different locations like iCloud Drive, Dropbox, or your iPad. Navigate to where your downloaded brush file is stored.
Select the brush file (it should end in .brush or .brushset), then tap open.

And there you have it! Your brush or brush set will appear at the bottom of your brush library. You're ready to start creating!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Are you encountering issues while trying to import your brushes? No need to fret. Here are a few common problems and how to solve them:

Brush file won't open: Double-check that the file ends in .brush or .brushset. If it doesn't, you may need to unzip the file first.
Brushes aren't showing up: Make sure you've scrolled to the bottom of your brush library. New brushes typically appear there.
Brushes are grayed out: This could mean your brushes aren't compatible with your version of Procreate. Check the brush file details to confirm compatibility.

If you're still having trouble, don't hesitate to reach out to the brush creator or Procreate support for help.

Organizing Your Brushes

Great! You've mastered how to import Procreate brushes. But as you continue to add more brushes, keeping them organized will become increasingly important. Let's explore how to keep your brush library tidy and user-friendly.

Create Custom Brush Sets

Creating custom brush sets in Procreate is an excellent way to keep your brushes organized. Whether by project type, brush type, or your go-to favorites, the possibilities are endless. Here's a quick guide on how to create your custom brush set:

Open the brushes panel in Procreate.
In the top right of the brushes panel, tap the plus sign (+) to create a new brush set.
Give your new brush set a name. Make it something descriptive so you remember its purpose!
Now, simply drag and drop brushes from your library into this new set.

Voila! You've got your own custom brush set.

Rename and Reorder Brushes

Another way to keep your brushes organized is by renaming and reordering them. Here's how:

Renaming Brushes: Tap on a brush to open its settings. Tap on the brush name at the top, then type in your new brush name. Tap Done when you're finished.
Reordering Brushes: To rearrange your brushes, simply hold and drag a brush to its new location in your brush set.

Remember, an organized brush library will save you time and frustration in the long run, especially when you're in the middle of a project and need to find the right brush quickly!

Tips and Tricks for Using Procreate Brushes

Now that you know how to import Procreate brushes and keep them organized, let's dive into some tips and tricks to get the most out of them. There's more to Procreate brushes than just painting—learning to manipulate them effectively can take your work to another level.

Mastering Brush Settings

Procreate brushes are highly customizable. You can tweak a brush's settings to suit your style or create a completely unique brush. Here's how:

Tap on a brush to open its settings.
Here, you'll see various settings you can manipulate, like opacity, size, and dynamics.
Experiment with these settings until you get a feel for what each one does.
Remember to tap 'Done' to save any changes.

Feel free to experiment. The more you tweak and play with the settings, the better you'll understand how to get different effects.

Experimenting with Brush Effects

Not all brushes are created equal. Each one can create unique effects, contributing to the overall mood and feel of your artwork. Here's a fun exercise to get you more familiar with your brushes:

Choose a brush and draw a line on the canvas. Notice the texture, line quality, and density.
Now try changing your brush size or pressure. See how it changes the look of your line?
Try this with several brushes, noting the differences.

Experimenting like this will help you understand the potential of each brush and when to use it in your artwork.

Blending with Brushes

Blending with brushes is another essential skill. It can help you create smooth transitions between colors, add depth, and much more. Start by choosing two colors and paint them side by side on your canvas. Next, choose a brush and use it to blend the colors together. Again, different brushes will produce different blending effects, so don't be shy—try a few!

Remember, the key to mastering Procreate brushes is practice. The more you use them, the more you'll understand their unique properties and how to manipulate them to achieve your desired results. Happy painting!

If you enjoyed learning about importing Procreate brushes and want to put your new skills to the test, don't miss the workshop 'How to Draw A Fruit In ProCreate' by Vicky Catalan. This workshop will guide you through the process of creating stunning fruit illustrations in Procreate, making the most out of your newly imported brushes.