Procreate Blending: 5 Techniques to Enhance Artwork

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 6 min read

Creating beautiful artwork involves more than just a set of brushes and colors—it's about knowing how to blend those elements together flawlessly. And when it comes to digital art, Procreate offers a variety of blending options that can enhance your artwork considerably. This blog will walk you through five techniques that can help you master the art of "procreate blending tips and tricks" and take your digital art to a new level.

1. Explore Layer Blending Options

One of the first steps to enhance your Procreate artwork is to explore various layer blending options. These options allow you to combine layers in different ways, resulting in unique visual effects. Let's delve into three popular blending modes—Normal, Multiply, and Add—and see how they can upgrade your artwork.

Using Normal Blend Mode

The Normal Blend Mode is your go-to mode when starting with Procreate. It doesn't interact with layers below it, which means the color you choose is the color you get—simple, right?

Example of use: If you're creating a sunset scene, you can paint the sky layer in orange and the sun layer in yellow, both using the Normal Blend Mode. This will keep the colors distinct and vibrant.

Experimenting with Multiply Blend Mode

Next on our list of Procreate blending tips and tricks is the Multiply Blend Mode. This mode darkens the colors by multiplying the color information of each layer, creating a richer and deeper effect.

Example of use: Suppose you're drawing a night sky with stars. You could use the Multiply Blend Mode to add a layer of dark blue over a lighter blue, creating a sense of depth and darkness.

Try Out the Add Blend Mode

Lastly, the Add Blend Mode is perfect for creating light effects as it lightens the colors by adding the color information of each layer. It's like shining a spotlight on your artwork!

Example of use: If you're creating a sunrise, you could use the Add Blend Mode to add a glowing effect to the sun, making it seem as if it's truly radiating light.

By learning how to effectively use these blend modes, you can add depth, contrast, and a touch of realism to your Procreate artwork. So, don't hesitate to experiment and find what works best for your art style!

2. Harness the Power of Opacity

Another remarkable feature that Procreate offers is the ability to adjust opacity. This feature can be a game-changer, offering you more control over the intensity of your colors and strokes. Let's dive into how to make the most of this feature in your digital artwork.

Adjusting Layer Opacity

Adjusting layer opacity in Procreate is like diluting paint with water in traditional art. When you reduce the opacity of a layer, you make it more transparent, allowing the layers beneath it to show through.

Example of use: If you're painting a glass of water, reducing the opacity of the water layer will give it a semi-transparent effect, making it look more realistic.

Working with Opacity and Brushes

Not only can you adjust the opacity of layers, but you can also control the opacity of your brush strokes. This gives you the power to create soft transitions and subtle details in your artwork.

Example of use: To paint a soft gradient sky, start with full-opacity blue at the top and gradually reduce the brush opacity as you move downwards, creating a smooth transition to lighter blue or white.

Using Opacity for Fine Tuning

Another procreate blending tip and trick is to use opacity for fine-tuning. By adjusting the opacity of your layers and brush strokes, you can refine your artwork and achieve the perfect balance of colors and textures.

Example of use: If you've painted a forest and it looks too dark, instead of repainting it, you can simply reduce the opacity of the dark layers to lighten the scene.

Opacity is a powerful tool at your disposal in Procreate. By harnessing its power, you can create depth, subtlety, and realism in your artwork—so don't shy away from experimenting with it!

3. Master Smudging for Texture

Texture adds depth and character to your artwork. One of the most effective ways to introduce texture in Procreate is by mastering the use of the smudge tool. Let's look at how smudging can uplift your Procreate blending game.

Create Texture with Smudge Tool

The Smudge tool in Procreate is like your digital finger, useful to blur, mix or smoothen colors. But, did you know you can also use it to create texture?

Example of use: Try using the smudge tool with a textured brush on a layer of flat color. You will notice how it picks up the color and creates interesting patterns that resemble textures.

Smudging Techniques for Realism

Smudging is a powerful technique when it comes to creating realistic textures. It helps in emulating the randomness and imperfections we observe in real-world textures.

Example of use: To paint realistic fur on an animal, use smudge tool with a fur brush. Smudge in the direction of the fur growth to create the illusion of individual hairs.

Combine Smudge and Brush Tools

A winning procreate blending tip is to combine the smudge tool with different brush tools. This combination can result in unique textures that can make your artwork stand out.

Example of use: You can create the texture of rough, cracked skin by first applying a base color with a hard brush and then smudging it with a grunge brush.

Smudging is an often underutilized tool that can dramatically enhance the feel of your artwork. So, go ahead and explore the possibilities—it might become your new favorite Procreate blending trick!

4. Get Creative with Gradient Maps

Gradient maps can be a game-changer when it comes to Procreate blending. They offer a unique way to apply dynamic colors to your artwork and give it a distinctive look. Let's dive into how you can get creative with gradient maps.

Introduction to Gradient Maps

Gradient maps are a feature in Procreate that allows you to map different colors across the grayscale values of your artwork. In simple words, it's like applying a multi-colored filter over your drawing.

Example of use: If you're creating a landscape artwork and want to give it a sunset effect, try using a gradient map transitioning from dark purple, to orange, to yellow. The result will amaze you!

Apply Gradient Maps for Dynamic Colors

Gradient maps can turn a simple black and white sketch into a colorful masterpiece. They allow you to experiment with color schemes and add a unique mood to your artwork.

Example of use: Use a gradient map ranging from dark blue to light blue on a black and white underwater scene. This can instantly turn it into a vibrant underwater world.

Explore Gradient Maps and Blending Modes

Combining gradient maps with different blending modes can open up a whole new world of possibilities in Procreate. This combination allows for extraordinary control over the look and feel of your artwork.

Example of use: Apply a gradient map of warm colors on a portrait and set the blending mode to "Overlay". This can give your portrait a warm, sun-kissed look.

Gradient maps can be your secret weapon to achieve stunning color effects in your artwork. So why wait? Start experimenting with them and discover your own unique Procreate blending tips and tricks!

5. Utilize Custom Brushes for Blending

Brushes are one of Procreate's most powerful tools. They can significantly influence the overall look and feel of your artwork. But did you know you can also use brushes to blend your colors? Let's see how you can utilize custom brushes for blending in Procreate.

Download and Use Custom Brushes

In Procreate, there are countless brushes available for download, many of which are specifically designed for blending. These brushes can help you achieve a range of blending effects, from soft and subtle transitions to bold and dramatic gradients.

Example: The "Soft Blend" brush in Procreate's Brush Library is a fantastic choice for creating smooth transitions between colors. Try it out in your next artwork!

Create Your Own Custom Brushes

If you can't find the perfect brush for your needs, why not create your own? Procreate allows you to customize brushes in a variety of ways, giving you the freedom to make a brush that suits your unique style.

Example: If you're a fan of oil painting, you can create a custom brush that replicates the texture and blending capabilities of oil paint. It's like having a virtual oil paintbrush at your disposal!

Blend with Custom Brushes

Once you have your custom brushes, you can start blending with them. Remember, blending is not just about getting smooth transitions. It's about creating depth, volume, and a sense of realism in your artwork.

Example: Use a custom grainy brush to blend the shadows in a landscape painting. The graininess can give a sense of depth and texture to your shadows, making your painting look more realistic.

Custom brushes offer endless possibilities for blending in Procreate. So, get creative, experiment, and, most importantly, have fun! With these Procreate blending tips and tricks, there's no limit to what you can create.

If you're fascinated by the power of Procreate and looking to take your artwork to the next level, 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, giving you the skills to bring your artwork to life.