Mastering Procreate Color Profiles: A Step-by-Step Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 7 min read

Digital art is ever-changing, and so are the tools artists use to create it. One such tool that has revolutionized the digital art world is Procreate. This guide will lead you through the ins and outs of Procreate's color profiles, providing you with a step-by-step approach to mastering this integral aspect of digital art creation.

1. Get to know Procreate

Before we delve into the world of Procreate's color profiles, it's important to understand what Procreate is, why you might want to use it, and how to get started with it.

What is Procreate?

Procreate is a popular digital art software used by professionals and hobbyists alike. It is an application designed for the iPad, which allows you to create stunning digital artwork with a wide range of tools and features. With its intuitive interface and powerful capabilities, Procreate has become a favorite among digital artists.

Why use Procreate?

You might wonder why Procreate is widely used when there are other digital art software options available. Well, some of the key reasons include its user-friendly interface, extensive range of brushes and tools, and the ability to create high-resolution artwork. But what truly sets Procreate apart is its innovative procreate color profile feature, which we'll dig into more later.

Download and Install Procreate

The first step to harnessing the power of Procreate's color profiles is, of course, to download and install the application. You can find Procreate on the Apple App Store. Once you've downloaded the application, installation is a breeze: simply open the app, and you're ready to start creating! Now that you've got Procreate installed and ready to go, let's take a closer look at its interface and how you can navigate it to create your digital artwork.

2. Navigate Procreate Interface

Procreate boasts an intuitive interface designed to enhance your digital art experience. Let's take a look at some of the key features you need to get familiar with:

The toolbar, located at the top of the Procreate interface, is your gateway to a variety of features. It includes options for painting, erasing, smudging, and adjusting your artwork. Familiarize yourself with each tool and its function—knowledge of the toolbar is the first step in creating stunning art with Procreate.

Use the Layers Panel

Layers are a fundamental part of creating digital art, and Procreate's Layers Panel makes working with layers simple and efficient. You can add, delete, and rearrange layers, as well as adjust their opacity and blending modes. This opens up a world of possibilities for complex compositions and effects.

Adjust settings

Procreate's settings allow you to customize your art-making experience. From adjusting brush settings to modifying the gesture controls, these options help you tailor the app to fit your unique style and workflow. Notably, within these settings, you'll find options for managing color profiles—a key aspect of getting the most out of Procreate.

Now that you've got a handle on the Procreate interface, it's time to dive into the heart of this guide—the world of Procreate color profiles.

3. Explore Color Profiles

An often overlooked yet vital aspect of digital art is the color profile. Understanding color profiles in Procreate can significantly improve your art's appearance and consistency, especially when shared or printed. Let's delve a little deeper into the world of color profiles.

What are Color Profiles?

Think of a color profile as a translator—it ensures that the colors you see on your device are as close as possible to the colors that others see on their devices. It bridges the gap between different devices and programs, maintaining the integrity of your colors. In Procreate, color profiles are even more crucial, as they help maintain consistency when your artwork is exported or printed.

Types of Color Profiles

In Procreate, there are two main types of color profiles you will encounter: sRGB and P3. The sRGB color profile is the most commonly used one, offering a wide range of colors suitable for most digital art projects. On the other hand, the Display P3 color profile offers a wider color range, allowing for more vibrant and saturated colors. However, keep in mind that not all devices support the Display P3 color profile, so your work might look different on certain screens.

Choose the Right Color Profile

Choosing the right color profile depends on your project and its destination. If you aim to print your artwork or display it on a variety of screens, the sRGB color profile might be your best bet. But, if you're targeting high-end displays that support Display P3 and want to make the most of their wide color gamut, then the P3 color profile is for you.

Now that we've explored what color profiles are and how they work, it's time to apply this knowledge in Procreate. Let's move on to the next step—applying color profiles in Procreate.

4. Apply Color Profiles in Procreate

Now that you're armed with knowledge about color profiles, let's put that to use in Procreate. Applying a color profile in Procreate is a straightforward process, but it has a significant impact on your artwork. Ready to dive in? Let's go.

Select a Color Profile

When you start a new canvas in Procreate, you have the option to select a color profile. Simply tap on the "Color Profile" option and you'll see a choice between sRGB and P3. Remember the tips from the previous section to make an informed choice. Got it? Great! You've just set your Procreate color profile.

Apply the Color Profile

Once you've selected your color profile, it's time to apply it. But don't worry, there's no extra step here! Procreate automatically applies the color profile you've chosen to your canvas. From this point onwards, every color you pick and every stroke you make will be under the influence of this color profile. Neat, right?

Adjust the Color Profile

Now, what if you want to adjust your color profile? Maybe you started in sRGB and now want to switch to P3? Unfortunately, Procreate doesn't allow you to change the color profile of an existing canvas. However, you can duplicate your artwork onto a new canvas with the desired color profile. It's not as straightforward, but it gets the job done!

You now know how to apply and adjust color profiles in Procreate. Let's move on to the fun part – practicing with different color profiles!

5. Practice with Color Profiles

Like any other skill, mastering the use of Procreate color profiles requires practice. But don't worry—it's not as daunting as it sounds. In fact, it can be quite fun experimenting with different color profiles and seeing how they affect your artwork. Let's get started, shall we?

Create a colorful artwork

Your first step in practicing color profiles is to create a piece of artwork. Don't be shy—let your imagination run wild! Use vibrant colors, play with different brushes, and see how the colors react under the Procreate color profile you've chosen. Remember, this is practice, so it's all about learning and having fun.

Experiment with different Color Profiles

Once you've created your artwork, it's time to experiment. Create copies of your artwork under different color profiles. Compare the original artwork with the copies. Do you notice the changes in color vibrancy and accuracy? This is a great way to understand the effect of different color profiles on the same piece of artwork.

And finally, don't forget to share your work. Showing your artwork to others not only helps you gather feedback but also helps you understand how different devices display your artwork. Remember, not all devices are created equal—some may not support the color profile you used, which can affect how your artwork looks on those devices.

There you have it—you're now ready to practice with Procreate color profiles. Happy coloring!

6. Conclusion

And there you have it! You've journeyed through the colorful world of Procreate, learning not just about its powerful features, but also mastering the art of using Procreate color profiles. By now, you should have a clear understanding of what color profiles are, how to choose and apply them in Procreate, and how to experiment with them in your own artwork.

Recap of the guide

Let's quickly recap what you've accomplished in this guide:

You've gotten to know Procreate, its benefits, and how to download and install it.
You've navigated Procreate's intuitive interface, understanding the toolbar, layers panel, and settings.
You've explored the world of color profiles, their types, and how to choose the right one for your artwork.
You've learned to apply and adjust color profiles in Procreate.
And finally, you've created your own artwork and experimented with different color profiles.

Further resources

While this guide is a good starting point, there's still so much more to discover about Procreate and color profiles. There are many online resources, tutorials, and communities of artists who use Procreate. Joining these communities can provide you with valuable insights, feedback on your work, and answers to your questions. So keep exploring, keep practicing, and most importantly, keep creating.

In the end, mastering Procreate color profiles is all about understanding how colors work and how to manipulate them to achieve your desired effect. It's a skill that, when mastered, can elevate your artwork to a whole new level. So keep practicing, keep experimenting, and before you know it, you'll be a Procreate color profile pro!

If you're looking to further enhance your skills in Procreate color profiles, we highly recommend checking out the workshop 'Refreshing your Colours in Procreate' by Faira. This workshop will provide you with in-depth knowledge and techniques to refresh your colors and elevate your digital art creations using Procreate.