Procreate Layer Blending Mastery: Artwork Tips

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 6 min read

As an artist, mastering procreate layer blending can transform your digital artwork. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this guide will provide you with practical tips to navigate Procreate and make the most of its layer blending feature.

1. Get Familiar with Procreate

Before venturing into the art of procreate layer blending, it's important to feel comfortable with the Procreate app itself. Familiarizing yourself with the interface, exploring the brush library, and understanding how layers work can be a game changer for your digital art journey. Here are some key points to get you started:

Know Your Interface

Procreate's interface might seem intimidating at first, but with a little patience, you'll find it's quite intuitive. On the left, you'll find the brush size and opacity sliders—two tools you'll use often. At the top, there's a menu bar with options to modify your canvas and layers. On the right, you have your brushes, smudge and eraser tools. Play around and explore—you'll be zipping around the interface in no time!

Explore the Brush Library

Procreate's brush library is a treasure trove of textures and strokes. Familiarize yourself with various brushes and see how they feel on your canvas. Try out different pressure levels and tilt angles—see what suits your style. Remember: in the world of Procreate, the 'Undo' button is your best friend. Don't hesitate to experiment.

Learn About Layers and How They Work

Layers are the heart of Procreate. Think of them as transparent sheets stacked on top of each other. You can draw on each one independently, reorder them, hide them, and—most importantly for our purposes—blend them. When you blend layers in Procreate, you're manipulating how the layers interact with each other. This is the fundamental concept behind procreate layer blending and will be the cornerstone of your exploration in the sections to follow.

2. Understand Layer Blending

Now that you have a good grasp of Procreate's interface, brushes, and layers, it's time to dive into the heart of this guide—understanding procreate layer blending. This powerful feature can significantly enhance the depth and realism of your artwork. Let's dig into its basics, explore the different blending modes, and encourage you to experiment with various blends.

The Basics of Blending

Blending in Procreate involves combining the colors and textures of two layers to create a new effect. It's like mixing paints on a traditional canvas, but with more control and flexibility. A key point to remember: the blending effect is influenced by the layer order. The top layer is the one that gets blended onto the one below. So, want to blend some smoky fog onto a city scene? Draw the fog on a layer above the city, and start blending!

Blending Modes Explained

Procreate offers a variety of blending modes—each creating a unique interaction between layers. The 'Multiply' mode, for instance, creates a darker blend, great for adding shadows or depth. 'Color Dodge' lightens your top layer based on the color of the layer below—perfect for creating glowing effects. And those are just two examples! Each mode offers a different artistic opportunity, so take your time to explore and play around with them.

Experiment with Different Blends

No two artworks are the same, and the beauty of procreate layer blending lies in its flexibility. Want to add a soft glow to a sunset scene? Try the 'Overlay' blend mode. Need to add some grungy texture to a street art piece? 'Hard Light' could be your go-to. Remember, there's no 'one-size-fits-all' blend. Experiment, mix and match, and create something uniquely yours.

3. Apply Layer Blending to Your Artwork

Now that you're familiar with procreate layer blending basics and different blending modes, let's put that knowledge to work. Applying layer blending to your artwork can help incorporate textures, create depth and dimension, and add lighting and shadows. These techniques can transform your digital art, making it more dynamic and visually appealing.

Incorporate Textures

Texture is what gives an artwork its feel—like the roughness of a brick wall or the smoothness of a glass window. In Procreate, you can use layer blending to incorporate textures into your artwork. For example, if you're painting an old wooden door, you could add a texture layer above the color layer and blend it using the 'Multiply' mode to give that authentic, worn-out look.

Create Depth and Dimension

Flat artwork can sometimes feel lifeless, but layer blending can help you create depth and dimension. By using different blending modes, you can create the illusion of light and shadow, giving your artwork a 3D feel. For instance, if you're painting a bowl of fruit, using the 'Multiply' mode can help you add shadows, while the 'Screen' mode can create the effect of light bouncing off the fruit, giving it a three-dimensional feel.

Add Lighting and Shadows

Playing with light and shadow can drastically change the mood of your artwork. With procreate layer blending, you can easily add different lighting effects and shadows. For example, to create a sunset effect, you could blend a layer of warm colors over your landscape using the 'Overlay' mode. And for shadows? The 'Multiply' mode can be your best friend again!

4. Polish Your Blending Skills

Once you've started applying procreate layer blending to your artwork, it's time to polish your skills. The more you practice, the better you'll get. This is your chance to experiment with different art styles, colors, and make your blend transitions as smooth as possible. Ready to take your artwork to the next level?

Practice with Different Art Styles

Different art styles can require different blending techniques. By trying your hand at various styles—from impressionism to pop art—you'll learn to adapt your blending approach for each. For example, in a cubist style artwork, you might use the 'Hard Light' blending mode for those sharp edges. In contrast, an impressionist landscape might call for more subtle 'Soft Light' blending. The more styles you try, the more flexible and creative you'll become with procreate layer blending.

Experiment with Colors

Colors can make or break your artwork. Experimenting with different colors and how they blend together can offer surprising results. Try blending complementary colors for a vibrant effect, or analogous colors for a more harmonious feel. Ever tried blending a bright yellow layer with a deep blue one using the 'Overlay' mode? The result might surprise you!

Blend Smoothly and Seamlessly

The key to procreate layer blending mastery is smoothness. If your viewers can spot where one color ends and another begins, it can break the illusion you're trying to create. Remember to adjust your brush opacity and use the 'Smudge' tool to blend your colors seamlessly. The 'Gaussian blur' effect can also be a great ally for those really tricky transitions. Keep practicing and soon your blends will be as smooth as butter!

Now that you've mastered the art of procreate layer blending and polished your skills, it's time to let your artwork shine! Sharing your creations with the world can be both thrilling and rewarding. It's not only about showcasing what you've accomplished—it's also a great way to connect with other artists, receive valuable feedback, and continue improving.

Present Your Work Online

There's no better place to showcase your artwork than the online world. Platforms like Instagram or digital art communities such as DeviantArt are perfect for this. When presenting your work, remember to highlight the procreate layer blending techniques you used. Not only will this provide insight into your creative process, but it may also inspire other artists to experiment with their blending.

Join Art Communities

Art communities are a treasure trove of inspiration, advice, and support. Members often share tips and tricks, critique each other's work, and discuss various art topics—including procreate layer blending. By joining these communities, you can learn a lot, make new friends, and even collaborate with other artists. Who knows, you might find your next big art project this way!

Get Feedback and Improve

Feedback is an artist's best friend. It helps you see your work from a different perspective and points out areas for improvement. Don't shy away from asking for feedback—be it from your peers in art communities or your followers on social media. Remember, every piece of advice can help you get better at procreate layer blending and take your artwork to new heights.

If you're excited to level up your Procreate skills after mastering layer blending, don't miss the workshop 'Animating with Procreate and Photoshop' by Nyanza. This workshop will teach you how to bring your artwork to life by combining the power of Procreate and Photoshop to create stunning animations.