Procreate Guide: Using Illustrator Brushes

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

Are you an artist seeking to expand your digital toolkit? Perhaps you're wondering, "Can you use Illustrator brushes in Procreate?" The answer is yes, and this guide will teach you exactly how to do it. From familiarizing yourself with the Procreate interface to creating stunning artworks using Illustrator brushes, we'll go through it all, step by step. So let's dive in!

1. Get to Know Procreate

Before we explore how to use Illustrator brushes in Procreate, it's imperative to understand the Procreate app itself. This user-friendly digital illustration app, available exclusively on the iOS platform, is crammed with unique features designed to help you create amazing artwork.

Exploring the Interface

Procreate's interface is sleek, intuitive, and designed to make your drawing experience as friction-free as possible. Here's what you need to know:

The Gallery is where you'll find all your artworks and where you can create new ones.
The Toolbar located at the top of the screen houses options like brush selection, eraser, layers, and more.
The Slider on the left is for adjusting brush size and opacity.
The Action Menu, represented by a wrench icon, lets you do things like sharing your work, inserting a photo, or flipping the canvas.

Setting Up Your Canvas

Setting up your canvas correctly is crucial for a smooth drawing experience in Procreate. From the Gallery, tap on the + icon to create a new canvas. You can choose from a variety of preset sizes or create a custom size. Do you need your artwork to be a particular size for printing or sharing online? No problem — Procreate lets you specify your canvas size in pixels, millimeters, or inches. Do remember, the larger the canvas, the more memory it uses, and it may limit the number of layers you can use.

Understanding Layers

Layers in Procreate work just like layers in a traditional painting — think of each layer as a transparent sheet that you can draw on. The magic of layers is that you can modify each one independently, allowing you to experiment and make changes without affecting the rest of your artwork. You can access your layers by tapping on the two-square icon in the toolbar. From here, you can add new layers, delete, duplicate, or even group them together. Layers are a powerful tool in your digital art arsenal. So, spend some time getting to know them.

2. Import Illustrator Brushes into Procreate

Now that you're familiar with the Procreate interface, it's time to answer the big question: Can you use Illustrator brushes in Procreate? Yes, and there are two main techniques to do so — via Airdrop or Cloud Storage Services. Here's how:

Transferring Brushes via Airdrop

One of the simplest ways to import Illustrator brushes into Procreate is by using Airdrop, a service available on Apple devices. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Ensure that both your iPad (or other devices where Procreate is installed) and your Mac are logged into the same Apple ID.
On your Mac, locate the .brush or .brushset files that you want to import.
Right-click on the file and select Share > Airdrop.
Choose your iPad from the list of Airdrop devices.
On your iPad, you'll receive a notification. Tap "Accept" to import the brushes into Procreate.

Using Cloud Storage Services

If you don't have access to Airdrop, don't worry, you can also use cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox. Here are the steps:

Upload your .brush or .brushset files to your chosen cloud storage from your computer.
On your iPad, open the cloud storage app and locate the brush files.
Tap on the file, then tap the Share button (usually represented by a box with an upward arrow).
From the list of options, choose "Copy to Procreate." The brushes will then be imported into Procreate.

Now that you've imported your Illustrator brushes into Procreate, it's time to put them to use!

3. Utilize Your Brushes

Having successfully imported your Illustrator brushes into Procreate, it's time to get creative. To fully exploit the power of these brushes, we need to understand brush techniques and settings. So, let's get started.

Brush Techniques

Using brushes in Procreate is not just about tapping and dragging on your screen; it's an art in itself. Here are some handy techniques to get you started:

Pressure Sensitivity: Apply different pressure on your Apple Pencil to see how it affects your stroke. More pressure generally means a bolder stroke.
Tilt: You can tilt your Apple Pencil to create different effects. For example, a tilted pencil can create a shading effect with certain brushes.
Varying Stroke Speed: Try varying your stroke speed. With some brushes, a faster stroke results in a different effect than a slow one.

Adjusting Brush Settings

Don't forget, each brush in Procreate comes with a wide array of settings that you can tweak to get the desired effect. Here's a brief rundown:

Spacing: Adjusts the space between the stamps in a brush stroke. More spacing results in a dashed line effect.
Jitter: Adds a randomness to the placement of the brush stamps, giving a more natural feel.
Flow: Controls the amount of color applied with each stroke. A lower flow results in a more transparent stroke.

Now that you're armed with these techniques and settings, it's time to create some stunning artwork using Illustrator brushes in Procreate. Ready to get started?

4. Create Stunning Artworks

Now that you've mastered using Illustrator brushes in Procreate, it's time to put these tools to use. Let's dive into some tips and tricks that will take your artwork to the next level.

Drawing Tips

Here are some simple yet effective tips to improve your drawing skills:

Start with Basic Shapes: Break down complex objects into simple shapes. This makes the drawing process much easier.
Use Guidelines: Guidelines help you maintain proportion and perspective. Don't hesitate to use them.
Practice: Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you draw, the better you get.

Coloring Advice

Coloring is a crucial part of creating stunning artworks. Here are some pieces of advice to keep in mind:

Choose a Color Palette: Before you start coloring, choose a color palette. This ensures a harmonious look and feel across your artwork.
Understand Color Theory: Comprehending the basics of color theory can elevate your coloring skills. Understanding complementary colors, analogous colors, and color temperatures can greatly enhance your work.
Experiment: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different color combinations. Sometimes, the most unexpected combinations can produce the best results.

Shading Guide

Shading adds depth and dimension to your artwork. Here are a few pointers:

Identify the Light Source: Before you start shading, identify where the light is coming from. This helps you understand where to place the shadows.
Use a Blending Tool: A blending tool can help smooth out your shading, making it look more natural.
Practice: Shading can be tricky, but with practice, you'll get the hang of it.

With these tips in hand, you're well on your way to creating striking artwork using Illustrator brushes in Procreate. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your Apple Pencil and get started!

Creating an impressive piece of art is only half the battle. The other half involves showing it to the world. Let's talk about how you can save, share, and export your artwork from Procreate.

Saving Your Artwork

It's important to save your work regularly. To do this:

Tap on "Actions": This is the wrench icon located at the top left corner of the screen.
Choose "Share": This will open up a menu with multiple options.
Select "Procreate": This will save your artwork in the Procreate format, preserving all your layers and effects.

Ready to share your artwork with the world? Here's how:

Tap on "Actions": Once again, look for the wrench icon at the top left corner.
Select "Share": You'll see a range of different file formats.
Choose Your Format: Depending on where you want to share your artwork, you might choose JPEG for social media, PNG for digital viewing, or PDF for printing.

And there you have it! Not only can you use Illustrator brushes in Procreate, but you can also create and share stunning artworks with ease. Don't keep your creativity to yourself—share your talents with the world!

If you enjoyed learning about using Illustrator brushes in Procreate, take your skills to the next level with the workshop 'Animating with Procreate and Photoshop' by Nyanza. This workshop will teach you how to create stunning animations using both Procreate and Photoshop, helping you enhance your digital art and storytelling abilities.