Top Procreate Sketching Brushes: A Comprehensive Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 7 min read

If you're eager to take your digital art to the next level, exploring the world of Procreate sketching brushes is a fantastic start. This guide will walk you through every nook and cranny of this popular digital art app's brush library, helping you truly make your mark in the digital art world.

1. Explore the Procreate Brush Library

The Procreate Brush Library is your playground and your toolbox, all in one. It's brimming with potential, and understanding it is the first step towards mastering Procreate sketching brushes. Let's dive in!

Understanding Default Brushes

Think of the default brushes as your go-to tools. They're the backbone of your Procreate toolkit, providing a wide range of textures and strokes. You'll find everything from simple round brushes for basic sketching to more complex brushes that mimic real-world tools, like charcoal and ink. Remember, even the most intricate artwork starts with simple strokes, so don't underestimate these default brushes!

Brush Categorization in Procreate

Procreate keeps things organized with an intuitive brush categorization system. Brushes are grouped based on their features and uses, such as sketching, painting, and textures. This way, you'll know exactly where to find the right brush for the job. It's like having an art supply store at your fingertips, without the mess!

Customizing Default Brushes

Here's where things get exciting: Procreate allows you to tailor its default brushes to your unique style. You can adjust settings like opacity, grain, and size to transform a basic brush into a personalized tool. It's like being a digital blacksmith, forging your own Procreate sketching brushes from the defaults.

Now that you're familiar with the basics, it's time to delve deeper into the world of digital brushes. Ready to get your hands metaphorically dirty?

2. Dive into Digital Brushes

Once you've mastered the basics, it's time to dip your toes into the world of digital brushes. These aren't just the default Procreate sketching brushes with a twist. They're an entirely new breed of brushes that can transform your artwork in ways you didn't think possible. Let's get started.

Importing Brushes in Procreate

Procreate allows you to import brushes created by other artists, giving you access to a vast array of tools. Whether you're looking for a brush that mimics a specific texture or a custom tool that's perfect for cartooning, there's likely a brush out there for you. Importing brushes into Procreate is as simple as downloading a brush file and opening it in the app. So, the world of Procreate sketching brushes, created by talented artists from all corners of the globe, is just a few taps away!

Creating Your Own Brushes

With Procreate, you're not just limited to using brushes created by others. You can make your own! Creating your own brush might sound like a daunting task, but Procreate makes it straightforward. You can adjust everything from the shape and grain of the brush to how it reacts to pressure and tilt. You can even use a photo to create a custom grain. Just imagine: your own Procreate sketching brushes, tailored perfectly to your style!

Techniques with Digital Brushes

Using digital brushes effectively is about more than just knowing what each brush does. It's about understanding how to use them to create the effects you want. Do you want to create a soft, watercolor look? Or do you prefer bold, graphic lines? By mastering brush techniques — like using pressure to control the thickness of your lines or layering different brushes for unique textures — you can make your Procreate sketches come alive. Practice is key here, so don't be afraid to experiment!

Now that you've gotten the hang of digital brushes, let's move on to something even more exciting: brush sets. Ready to step up your Procreate game?

3. Unleash Creativity with Brush Sets

Have you ever thought of combining different Procreate sketching brushes to achieve a unique effect? That's the power of brush sets! They can open up a whole new realm of possibilities for your artwork. Let's dive into this exciting aspect of Procreate.

Popular Brush Sets

Brush sets are a godsend for artists looking to achieve specific styles. There are countless sets available, each with a unique combination of brushes. Some popular sets include the Pencil Box set for sketching, the Watercolour set for painting, and the Texturrific set for adding texture. Each set is designed to give you the tools you need to create a specific look in your Procreate sketches. Remember, using a brush set doesn't limit your creativity; it expands it!

How to Use Brush Sets

Using a brush set is as simple as selecting it from the brushes panel. But to really make the most of these tools, you'll need to understand how the different brushes in the set work together. For instance, in a watercolor set, you might use one brush to apply broad washes of color and another to add detailed highlights. Understanding the role of each brush in the set will help you create more complex and realistic Procreate sketches.

Creating Your Own Brush Sets

While there are plenty of brush sets available, nothing beats creating a set that's perfectly tailored to your style. To create your own set, simply select the "+" icon in the brushes panel and start adding your favorite brushes. You can even include your own custom brushes. Imagine having all your favorite Procreate sketching brushes in one place, ready to help you create your next masterpiece!

Now, let's move on to an area that's often overlooked but incredibly powerful: the Brush Studio. Ready to take the plunge?

4. Navigate the Brush Studio

Think of Procreate's Brush Studio as your creative lab, a place where you can tweak, experiment, and perfect your Procreate sketching brushes. It might seem a little overwhelming at first, but fear not. Let's break it down together.

Understanding Brush Studio

Brush Studio is essentially the control center for your brushes. It provides a wealth of settings that let you adjust every aspect of a brush's behavior. From shape and grain to dynamics and rendering, you have the power to shape your brush's performance to suit your specific creative needs. It's like being in an art store but with infinite possibilities and no price tags!

Fine-tuning Your Brush Settings

Now, let's talk about how you can fine-tune your brush settings. You might want to make a brush that mimics the texture of charcoal or one that behaves like a thick acrylic paintbrush. Each setting in the Brush Studio allows you to get closer to that goal. Start with the shape and grain settings to define the basic behavior of the brush. Then, explore the dynamics settings to control how the brush responds to pressure and tilt. Don't be afraid to experiment—remember, you're in control here!

Saving Custom Brushes

Once you've created a brush that you're happy with, you'll want to save it for future use. Thankfully, Procreate makes this easy. Just tap on the "+" sign in the brush library, name your brush, and voila! Your new custom brush is ready to use in your next Procreate sketch. Isn't it amazing to have a set of Procreate sketching brushes tailor-made for you?

As we wrap up our tour of the Brush Studio, let's turn our attention to the art of sketching itself. After all, these tools are most powerful when we know how to wield them in our artwork.

5. Master the Art of Sketching

Sketching is the heart of all great artwork, the starting point for most creative endeavors. With Procreate's extensive brush library, you have all the tools you need to take your sketching skills to the next level. Let's dive into some strategies and techniques you can use to improve your sketching prowess.

Sketching Techniques in Procreate

Mastering a range of sketching techniques can enhance your versatility as an artist. For instance, cross-hatching—a technique where you draw closely spaced parallel lines and then cross them with another set of lines—creates a rich texture in your sketches. Procreate sketching brushes like the HB Pencil or the Technical Pen are great for this technique. Stippling, another technique, involves drawing numerous tiny dots to create depth and texture. The Studio Pen or the Syrup brush works well for this. Remember, the key to mastering any technique is practice, so keep experimenting with different styles using your Procreate sketching brushes.

Tips for Better Sketches

Here are a few tips to help improve your sketches: First, start with light, loose lines for the initial sketch and gradually add details. This helps to maintain the proportions and makes corrections easier. Second, use layers effectively. Sketch your basic shape in one layer, then add details in a new layer. This way, you can easily tweak or remove details without affecting the base sketch. Lastly, don't be afraid to use the eraser! It's not just for correcting mistakes, but can be used creatively for techniques like negative drawing.

Examples of Procreate Sketches

Looking at examples of Procreate sketches can provide inspiration and help you understand how to apply different techniques. For instance, a cityscape sketch may demonstrate effective use of perspective and depth, while a portrait might showcase shading and contouring techniques. A sketch of a lush forest scene could highlight the use of texture and color. As you browse examples, pay attention to how artists use Procreate sketching brushes to achieve different effects.

Alright, now you're ready to take on the art world with your Procreate sketching brushes! Remember, the only limit is your imagination. So, what are you going to sketch today?

If you're eager to dive deeper into the world of Procreate and digital sketching, don't miss 'Intro to Procreate: Drawing with Digital Tools' workshop by Vicky Catalan. This workshop is perfect for those who want to learn the ins and outs of Procreate and make the most of their digital drawing experience.