Procreate Tattoo Guide: Techniques for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 7 min read

Unleashing your creativity on the digital platform Procreate can bring an enormous change in your tattoo designing techniques. This blog will guide you on the path of mastering the art of creating stunning Procreate tattoos, even if you are a beginner. You will discover the secrets of setting up your tools, designing, and brushing up your art with finesse. With our guidance, you'll be on your way to creating a vibrant tattoo portfolio in no time.

1. Getting Started with Procreate

Your journey to creating impressive Procreate tattoos begins with understanding the basics of the Procreate app. This includes selecting your tools, setting up your canvas, and navigating the interface. It's like preparing your art station before you start sketching.

Selecting Your Tools

Before you start your Procreate tattoo, the first thing to do is to select the right tools. Procreate offers a variety of pens, pencils, and brushes that mimic the feel of traditional tattoo tools. Here's a simple guide to help you pick your tools:

Pens: Great for precise lines and sharp details
Pencils: Ideal for sketching and shading
Brushes: Perfect for filling in color and creating texture

Setting Up Your Canvas

Once you've selected your tools, it's time to set up your canvas. This is where you'll create your Procreate tattoo. Here's how:

Canvas Size: Decide on the size of your canvas based on the tattoo design you have in mind. The bigger the design, the larger your canvas should be.
Resolution: Set your resolution high to ensure your design remains crisp and clear, even when zoomed in. A good starting point is 300 DPI.

Navigating the Interface

The final step in getting started with Procreate is understanding the interface. Imagine it as the control panel of your design process. Here are a few elements to familiarize yourself with:

Gallery View: This is where you can access all your artworks. You can also organize them into stacks, like folders.
Toolbar: Located at the top, this hosts options like brush size, opacity, and layers. It's your main control center.
Brush Library: Here, you'll find all your brushes. You can also create custom brushes and organize them into sets.
Layers Panel: This allows you to work on different parts of your Procreate tattoo separately, without affecting the rest of your design. It's like having multiple canvases in one.

Now that you've got the basics down, you're ready to start designing your Procreate tattoo.

2. Basic Tattoo Design Techniques

Now that you're familiar with Procreate, it's time to dive into the basics of tattoo design. This includes drawing the outline, adding shades and colors, and including the tiniest details that give your Procreate tattoo its unique personality.

Drawing the Outline

The outline is the skeleton of your Procreate tattoo. It's the first step in bringing your design to life. Here are some tips to perfect your outlines:

Use a Pen: Pens offer the precision needed for outlines. Choose a size that matches your design.
Steady Strokes: Keep your strokes steady and smooth. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.
Zoom In: Don't hesitate to zoom in for intricate parts of your design. Get those details just right.

Shading and Coloring

Shading and coloring are what give your Procreate tattoo depth and dimension. Here's how you can ace this step:

Choose Your Colors Wisely: Colors can make or break your design. Choose a palette that resonates with your design theme.
Master the Art of Shading: Shading adds depth to your tattoo. Use different pressures and brush sizes to create the desired effect. Remember, practice makes perfect.
Blend, Blend, Blend: Blending colors smoothly can elevate your design. Use the smudge tool to achieve this. It's like mixing paint on a palette.

Adding Details

The devil is in the details, as they say. Small details can add a lot of character to your Procreate tattoo. Here's what you can do:

Add Texture: Texture can make your design feel more realistic. Experiment with different brushes to find what works best for your design.
Play with Lighting: Adding highlights and shadows can make your tattoo pop. Imagine a light source and add highlights and shadows accordingly.
Don't Forget the Little Things: Small elements like dots, lines, or swirls can add a lot of personality to your design. Don't be afraid to experiment.

Mastering these techniques will set a strong foundation for your Procreate tattoo journey. Remember, it's all about experimenting and finding your unique style.

3. Using Brushes for Tattoo Art

Brushes are the heart and soul of your Procreate tattoo. They are what brings your design to life, giving it texture, depth, and personality. Let's explore how to best use brushes for your tattoo art.

Choosing the Right Brush

Choosing the right brush can seem a bit overwhelming at first, with so many options available. But don't worry, here are a few tips:

Understand Your Design: The brush you choose should match the style of your design. For instance, a watercolor brush is ideal for a soft, fluid design, while a calligraphy brush works best for intricate line work.
Experiment: Don't be afraid to try different brushes. You might discover a brush you never knew could work wonders for your design.
Custom Brushes: Procreate allows you to create your own custom brushes. This way, you can have the perfect brush for any design.

Customizing Brush Settings

Did you know you can customize your brushes in Procreate? This is a great way to get the exact effect you want. Here's how:

Adjust the Size: Depending on the detail of your design, you might need to adjust the brush size. Bigger brushes are great for filling in large areas, while smaller brushes are perfect for details.
Play with Opacity: Adjusting the opacity can help you achieve a range of effects, from subtle to striking.
Try Different Dynamics: You can adjust settings like flow, scatter, and jitter to create unique effects. Don't be afraid to play around and see what works best for your Procreate tattoo design.

Practicing Brush Strokes

Brush strokes can add a lot of character to your Procreate tattoo. But, mastering them requires practice. Here are a few tips to improve your brush strokes:

Control Your Pressure: The amount of pressure you apply can greatly affect the outcome of your stroke. Light pressure for thin lines, heavy pressure for thick ones.
Use Guides: Procreate offers drawing guides that can help you achieve precise, controlled strokes.
Practice, Practice, Practice: Like with anything, practice is key. The more you practice, the better your brush strokes will be.

Brushes are a powerful tool in Procreate. Master them, and you'll be well on your way to creating stunning Procreate tattoos.

4. Incorporating Text into Tattoo Design

Adding text to your Procreate tattoo design can give it a personal touch, making it more meaningful to the wearer. It can be a name, a quote, or a single powerful word. Here's how you can incorporate text into your design.

Selecting Fonts

The font you choose can drastically change the mood of your tattoo design. Here's how to select the right one:

Consider the Theme: If your design is soft and romantic, try whimsical script fonts. If it's bold and edgy, a chunky serif font might be just right.
Readability Matters: Make sure the font is legible, especially if it's a longer phrase. You wouldn't want your beautiful Procreate tattoo design to be confusing, would you?
Less is More: Sometimes, a simple font can convey more than the most elaborate one. Don't be afraid to keep it minimalist.

Positioning Text

The placement of your text can enhance the impact of your Procreate tattoo design. Let's see how to position your text effectively:

Balance: Your text should balance with the other elements of your design. It shouldn't overpower them, but it shouldn't get lost either.
Flow: Consider how your text flows with the shape of the body part where the tattoo will be. It should follow natural lines and curves.
Spacing: Pay attention to the space between letters and lines. Too tight, and it'll be hard to read. Too loose, and it might look disjointed.

Stylizing Text

Finally, adding some style to your text can make your Procreate tattoo design truly pop. Here's how:

Color: Don't limit yourself to black. Play with different colors to see which one complements your design the best.
Effects: Procreate offers a variety of text effects like drop shadows, outlines, and gradients. Experiment with them to find the one that suits your design.
Customize: Remember you can always customize your text, just like your brushes. Change the size, angle, or even form of the letters to match your vision.

With these tips, you'll be able to incorporate text into your Procreate tattoo design like a pro.

5. Creating a Tattoo Portfolio

Once you've mastered the art of Procreate tattoo design, it's time to showcase your work to the world. A well-curated portfolio can attract potential clients, showing them your style, your range, and your dedication to the craft. Let's go through the steps of creating an impressive tattoo portfolio.

Organizing Your Work

First things first, you need to organize your Procreate tattoo designs. Here's how:

Group by Style: Separate your works into categories based on their styles. For example, you could have traditional, tribal, and illustrative tattoo designs in different sections.
Chronological Order: Display your work in the order you created them. This way, viewers can see your growth as a tattoo artist over time.
Best Works First: Grab attention straight away by putting your best designs at the beginning. Remember, first impressions count!

Presenting Varied Styles

Showcasing a range of styles in your Procreate tattoo portfolio can help you attract a wider audience. Here are some tips:

Diversify: Don't limit yourself to one style. Try your hand at different styles to show your versatility as a tattoo artist.
Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment with new techniques or ideas. This can showcase your creativity and willingness to push boundaries.
Showcase: Make sure each style has enough examples to showcase your proficiency. One or two designs may not be enough to convince potential clients.

Finally, it's time to share your Procreate tattoo portfolio. But how do you do it effectively? Let's find out:

Online Presence: Create a website or a social media page dedicated to your work. This way, people can easily find and share your designs.
Community Engagement: Participate in online tattoo communities. Share your work, give and receive feedback, and build connections.
Offline Promotion: Don't forget about the real world. Print business cards with your portfolio's web address and hand them out at tattoo conventions or local shops.

With these steps, not only will you create an impressive Procreate tattoo portfolio, but you'll also successfully share it with the world. Happy inking!

Once you've mastered the basics of creating tattoos using Procreate, why not take your skills to the next level? Check out Nyanza's workshop, 'Animating with Procreate and Photoshop,' to learn how to bring your tattoo designs to life through animation. This workshop is perfect for beginners who are looking to expand their creative toolbox and explore new techniques using Procreate and Photoshop.