Procreate Blend Modes: An In-depth Guide for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 7 min read

If you're keen to tap into the world of digital art, Procreate is one of the best tools to start with. It's a feature-packed app designed for creatives who want to bring their art to life on a digital canvas. One of its key features is blend modes, which can take your art from good to great. But to fully harness the power of blend modes, understanding the basics of Procreate is a must. In this guide, we'll walk you through the essentials of Procreate, and explain how blend modes work within the app.

1. Get Familiar with Procreate

First things first, let's get you familiar with the Procreate app. We'll go over how to download and install Procreate, explore its interface, and navigate through its tools. By the end of this section, you'll have a solid foundation to start your digital art journey.

Download and Install Procreate

Procreate is available on the App Store for iPad users. Here's how you can get started:

Open the App Store on your iPad.
Search for "Procreate".
Tap "Get" to download the app.
Once downloaded, tap "Open" to launch Procreate.

It's as simple as that! You're now ready to dive into the world of digital art.

Explore Procreate Interface

The Procreate interface might seem overwhelming at first, but don't worry, it's quite intuitive once you get the hang of it. The main elements you need to know are the toolbar, which is located at the top of the screen, and the layers panel, found on the right side. The toolbar contains all the tools you need for creating your artwork, including brushes, erasers, and the all-important blend modes. The layers panel allows you to organize your artwork into layers, which is where blend modes really come into play.

Navigate through Procreate Tools

Procreate is packed with a variety of tools to help you create amazing artwork. Here are some key ones to know:

Brushes: Procreate offers a wide range of brushes for different effects and textures.
Eraser: You can erase with the same brushes you paint with, allowing for seamless corrections.
Smudge: This tool blends colors together, great for smoothing and blending.
Layers: You can create multiple layers and adjust their opacity and blend modes—this is where the magic happens!

Now that you're familiar with Procreate, it's time to delve deeper into one of its most powerful features—blend modes. So, stay tuned as we get blend modes in Procreate explained in the next section.

2. Learn about Blend Modes

Now that you're comfortable with the Procreate interface, let's dive into the world of blend modes. We'll explore what they are, why they're useful, and the different types available. With blend modes, you can create stunning effects that will elevate your artwork.

What are Blend Modes?

Blend modes, as the name suggests, are a way to blend your layers together. They decide how the colors and tones of one layer interact with the ones below it. Imagine you're painting—blend modes are like deciding whether to mix your paints together, layer them on top of each other, or let the colors shine through transparently.

Why Use Blend Modes?

Blend modes are a powerful tool that can drastically alter the look and feel of your artwork. They can add depth, create interesting textures and effects, and even fix color and contrast issues. Once you understand how to use them, you'll find that they open up a whole new world of creative possibilities.

Different Types of Blend Modes

Procreate offers a variety of blend modes, each with its own unique effect. Here's a quick rundown of some popular ones:

Normal: The default mode. The top layer doesn't interact with the ones below.
Multiply: Darkens the image by multiplying the colors of the top and bottom layers.
Screen: Lightens the image by screening the colors of the top and bottom layers—think of it as the opposite of Multiply.
Overlay: Combines Multiply and Screen blend modes. It darkens or lightens colors based on the colors of the bottom layer.

These are just a few examples. Procreate offers many more blend modes, each with its own unique effect. The best way to understand them is to experiment and see how they transform your artwork. Which brings us to the next section—applying blend modes. Are you ready to see blend modes in Procreate explained in action?

3. Apply Blend Modes

Now that we've got a handle on what blend modes are, it's time to put them to work. We'll go through choosing the right blend mode, applying it to your artwork, and a bit of experimental play for good measure.

Choosing the Right Blend Mode

With so many blend modes to select from, choosing the right one might seem a bit daunting. But don't worry—it's not as complicated as it seems. It all comes down to what effect you want to create. Looking to add some depth to your artwork? Try the Overlay mode. Want to darken your colors? Give Multiply a go. The key here is to experiment and discover which blend modes work best for your style.

Applying Blend Modes to Your Artwork

Applying blend modes in Procreate is a breeze. Once you've selected your layer, just tap on the 'N' button on your layer panel. This will bring up a list of blend modes for you to choose from. Tap on your preferred blend mode and watch as your artwork transforms. Easy, right?

Experiment with Blend Modes

Remember, the fun of digital art is that you can always hit undo. So don't be afraid to experiment. Try different blend modes, mix them, layer them, play with their opacity. You might stumble upon an effect you love that you'd never have found otherwise. The more you play with blend modes, the more intuitively you'll understand them. So go wild—your art will thank you for it.

4. Master the Use of Blend Modes

Mastering Procreate blend modes is like learning a new language — it takes time and practice. But once you understand the nuances, it opens up a whole new world of artistic expression. Let's dive into how you can practice using different blend modes, tailor them for different art styles, and enhance your artwork using these powerful tools.

Practice Using Different Blend Modes

Practice might not always make perfect, but it sure helps when it comes to Procreate blend modes. Try setting aside some time each day to play around with different modes. You can even challenge yourself to create a piece of art using only blend modes you've never tried before. The more you familiarize yourself with each mode and its effect, the better you'll be at intuitively knowing which one to use when.

Blend Modes for Different Art Styles

Blend modes are not one-size-fits-all. Different artistic styles call for different blend modes. For example, if you're into comic book style art, you might find yourself using the Multiply mode a lot for shading. On the other hand, if you're more into fantasy art, the Color Dodge or Add modes might become your best friends for creating glowing effects. Understanding how to adapt blend modes to your unique style is a key step in mastering Procreate.

Improve Your Artwork with Blend Modes

Blend modes are not just tools, they're also your secret weapon for taking your art to the next level. They can help add depth, create lighting effects, and even make colors pop. So the next time you feel like your art is missing something, don't reach for a new brush—try experimenting with a new blend mode instead. You might be surprised at what a difference it can make.

5. Tips and Tricks for Using Blend Modes

Now that you've mastered the basics, let's explore some tips and tricks that every Procreate artist should know. These insights will help you avoid common mistakes, save time, and maximize the use of blend modes in your artwork.

Avoiding Common Mistakes When Using Blend Modes

When you're starting to get the hang of Procreate blend modes, it's easy to fall into some common traps. For instance, using blend modes as a crutch for color choice can lead to muddy and unappealing results. Remember that blend modes are tools to enhance your artwork, not shortcuts to bypass the fundamental principles of color and light. Also, avoid overusing any one blend mode. Variety is the spice of life — and art!

Time-Saving Tips for Blend Modes

Time is a precious commodity for every artist. So here's a golden tip: instead of manually trying out every blend mode to see which one works, learn to predict the effects based on what each mode does. For example, if you want to darken an area, you might want to start with the Multiply mode. If you want to create a highlight, try the Screen mode. Knowing what to expect from each blend mode can save you a ton of time.

Maximizing the Use of Blend Modes

Finally, to truly harness the power of blend modes, don't be afraid to go beyond the canvas. Use blend modes when creating textures, making custom brushes, or even when designing your own fonts. The possibilities are endless and your artwork will be all the richer for it. As you continue on your Procreate journey, remember: blend modes are more than just a feature, they're an art form in their own right.

If you found our guide on Procreate Blend Modes helpful and want to further explore the capabilities of Procreate, don't miss the workshop 'Animating with Procreate and Photoshop' by Nyanza. This workshop will teach you how to create stunning animations using both Procreate and Photoshop, expanding your digital art skills and opening up new creative possibilities.