How to Insert Shapes in Procreate: A Step-by-Step Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 19 June 2023 5 min read

Creating digital artwork has never been easier, thanks to apps like Procreate. One of the most sought-after features is the ability to insert shapes into your designs. In this step-by-step guide, you'll learn how to insert shapes in Procreate and explore various techniques to take your digital art to the next level.

Getting Familiar with Procreate

Before we dive into shapes, let's familiarize ourselves with Procreate's interface and tools. Mastering these basics will make inserting shapes a breeze.

Understanding the Interface

Procreate's user-friendly interface makes it easy for artists to navigate. Here are some key elements you should know:

Canvas: The central area where you create your artwork.
Toolbar: Located at the top of the screen, it contains options like undo, redo, and exporting your art.
Brush Library: Accessible through the brush icon, this is where you'll find Procreate's vast collection of brushes.
Layers Panel: Tap the layers icon to open the panel, allowing you to create, reorder, and manipulate layers.
Color Picker: The circle icon opens the color picker, where you can choose and customize colors.

Selecting the Right Brush

Procreate offers a variety of brushes, each with its unique style and effect. To insert shapes, you'll want to choose a brush that creates clean, solid lines. Some popular options include:

Monoline (located in the Calligraphy brush set)
Studio Pen (located in the Inking brush set)
Hard Airbrush (located in the Airbrushing brush set)

Experiment with these brushes to find the one that best suits your needs.

Working with Layers

Layers are a powerful tool in Procreate, allowing you to separate different elements of your artwork. When inserting shapes, it's a good idea to create a new layer for each shape. This way, you can easily edit, move, and transform each shape without affecting the rest of your art. To create a new layer, simply tap the "+" icon in the layers panel.

Basic Shapes and Guides

Now that you're familiar with Procreate's interface and tools, let's dive into creating and manipulating basic shapes. We'll also explore how to use guides for precise shape placement and transformation.

Drawing Rectangles & Circles

Inserting rectangles and circles in Procreate is simple. Follow these steps:

Create a new layer for your shape.
Select your desired brush and color.
Draw a rough rectangle or circle on the canvas. Don't worry about making it perfect.
Hold your finger or stylus on the screen until the shape snaps into a perfect rectangle or circle.
Release your finger or stylus to finish the shape.

Now you have a clean, precise shape ready to be transformed and manipulated.

Using Guides for Precise Shapes

Procreate offers built-in guides to help you create accurate shapes and maintain consistent proportions. To enable guides, follow these steps:

Tap on the wrench icon (Actions) in the top toolbar.
Select "Canvas" from the menu.
Turn on "Drawing Guide."

Now you can choose from various guide types like 2D Grid, Isometric, Perspective, or Symmetry. These guides will help you insert shapes in Procreate with precision and ease.

Transforming Shapes

Once you've drawn your shape, you may want to resize, rotate, or move it. Procreate's Transform tool makes this process simple:

Tap the arrow icon in the top toolbar to activate the Transform tool.
Select your shape by tapping on its layer in the Layers panel.
Use the handles to resize, rotate, or move your shape as needed.
Tap the arrow icon again to confirm your transformation.

Now your shape is transformed and positioned just where you want it.

Advanced Shape Techniques

Once you've mastered the basics, it's time to explore some advanced techniques for inserting and manipulating shapes in Procreate. In this section, we'll cover custom shapes, boolean operations, and shape stencils.

Creating Custom Shapes

Procreate allows you to create your own custom shapes. To do this, follow these steps:

Create a new layer for your custom shape.
Select the desired brush and color.
Draw your custom shape, making sure to close any open lines.
Hold your finger or stylus on the screen to make the shape snap into a clean polygon.
Use the Transform tool to adjust your custom shape as needed.

Now you have a unique shape that you can use in your artwork.

Combining Shapes with Boolean Operations

Boolean operations allow you to combine and manipulate multiple shapes in Procreate. These operations include Union, Subtract, Intersect, and Difference. To use boolean operations:

Select the shapes you want to combine by swiping right on their layers in the Layers panel.
Tap "Combine" in the top toolbar to access the Boolean Operation options.
Select the desired operation to combine your shapes.

Experiment with these operations to create complex shapes and interesting designs in your artwork.

Using Shape Stencils

Shape stencils are an advanced technique that can help you create intricate patterns and designs in Procreate. To use shape stencils:

Create a new layer for your stencil shape.
Select the desired brush and color.
Draw your stencil shape, making sure to close any open lines.
Lower the opacity of the stencil layer in the Layers panel.
Create a new layer above the stencil layer for your artwork.
Use the stencil as a guide to draw your pattern or design.

Using shape stencils can provide you with endless creative possibilities in Procreate.

Finalizing and Exporting Your Artwork

Once you've inserted and manipulated shapes in Procreate to create your desired design, it's time to finalize and export your artwork. In this section, we'll cover adding textures and depth, exporting options, and sharing your work.

Adding Textures and Depth

Textures and depth can give your artwork a more polished and professional look. Here are some tips for adding textures and depth to your shapes in Procreate:

Create a new layer above your shape and set it to a Clipping Mask.
Select a textured brush or use an imported texture image.
Choose a color that complements your shape and adjust the brush size as needed.
Apply the texture to your shape by brushing over the Clipping Mask layer.
Experiment with blending modes and layer opacity to achieve the desired effect.

Adding textures and depth can make your artwork stand out and give it a unique, professional finish.

Exporting Options

When your artwork is complete, you'll want to export it in a suitable format. Procreate offers several exporting options, including:

Procreate (.procreate)
Photoshop (.psd)
JPEG (.jpg)
PNG (.png)
TIFF (.tif)
PDF (.pdf)
Animated GIF (.gif)
Animated MP4 (.mp4)

To export your artwork, tap the Actions menu (wrench icon) in the top left corner, select "Share," and choose your desired file format. Depending on your intended use, you may need to adjust your file dimensions or resolution before exporting.

Once you've exported your artwork, it's time to share it with the world! There are many ways to showcase your Procreate creations, such as:

Posting on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.
Adding your work to an online portfolio or art community like Behance or DeviantArt.
Printing your artwork for personal use or sale.
Including your work in a digital gallery or art blog.

Sharing your work can help you gain exposure, receive valuable feedback, and inspire others to learn how to insert shapes in Procreate.

If you enjoyed this blog post on drawing and want to take your skills to the next level, don't miss the workshop titled 'How to Draw A Fruit In ProCreate' by Vicky Catalan. This workshop will guide you step-by-step on how to create realistic and eye-catching fruit illustrations using the popular digital art tool, ProCreate.