Unstack Procreate Artwork: Simple Tips & Tricks

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

Discovering the world of digital art can be a thrilling experience, especially when you're using a powerful tool like Procreate. This incredible application is a treasure trove of features waiting to be explored, and one of the most interesting aspects you might be curious about is how to unstack in Procreate. This blog will walk you through the process, as well as other fundamental skills you'll need to master your Procreate journey.

1. Get Familiar with Procreate

Before we dive into the specifics of how to unstack in Procreate, it's essential to build a strong foundation by getting familiar with the Procreate interface. Let's start with the basics, shall we?

Interface Overview

Procreate's interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly. Key elements include:

Toolbar: Located at the top of the screen, it houses options like brush size, opacity, and layer options.
Brush Library: Accessible on the right, this is where you'll find all your brushes.
Layers Panel: This is where the magic of stacking and unstacking happens — more on that later!

Brushes and Tools

Procreate offers a wide variety of brushes and tools to bring your creative ideas to life. They are categorized under different sets like sketching, inking, painting, artistic, and more. It's like having a whole art studio at your fingertips!

Layers and Blending

One of the most powerful features in Procreate is its ability to work with layers. You can think of layers like sheets of glass stacked on top of each other — each one can hold different elements of your artwork. Blending layers, on the other hand, is about mixing these layers in different ways, like changing their opacity or mode.

And speaking of layers, that's where the concept of stacking comes in. If you've ever wondered how to unstack in Procreate, you're in the right place. We'll explore this in more detail further down the line. But first, let's move on to mastering basic sketching.

2. Master Basic Sketching

Now that you're familiar with the Procreate interface, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of creating art. A big part of that is sketching. The good news is that Procreate offers some fantastic tools to help you master this essential skill.

Use Reference Images

One of the best ways to improve your sketching skills is to use reference images. Procreate has a built-in feature that allows you to import images directly into the canvas. You can then use these images as a guide to help you capture intricate details and accurate proportions in your sketches.

Understand Perspective

When it comes to creating realistic sketches, understanding perspective is key. Procreate simplifies this process with its Perspective Guide feature. This tool helps you create a grid on your canvas that can guide your sketching and ensure you're achieving the right depth and angle in your drawings.

Sketching Techniques

Finally, let's talk about some fundamental sketching techniques you can use in Procreate. These include:

Hatching: This involves drawing closely-spaced parallel lines to create texture or shading.
Cross-hatching: This is similar to hatching, but you draw the lines in opposing directions to create a denser texture.
Stippling: This technique uses dots to create texture and shading. The closer the dots, the darker the area appears.

By mastering these techniques, you'll be well on your way to creating impressive sketches in Procreate. But remember, practice makes perfect! So, keep honing your skills and experimenting with different approaches.

Next up, we're going to add a splash of color to our Procreate journey. Ready to dive into the world of color palettes and theory? Let's do this!

3. Play with Colour

Adding colour to your artwork can really bring it to life. Procreate offers a wide range of tools to help you do just that. Let’s explore how to unstack in Procreate to create eye-catching colour schemes and apply them effectively in your digital art.

Colour Palettes

Choosing the right colours can make or break your artwork. Thankfully, Procreate comes with pre-designed colour palettes that you can use. But don't feel limited by these—you can also create your own unique colour palettes from scratch or by sampling colours from a reference image. The choice is yours!

Colour Theory

To truly master the use of colour in your artwork, it's important to understand some basic colour theory. This includes concepts like:

Primary colours: These are colours that can't be made by mixing other colours. They are red, blue, and yellow.
Secondary colours: These are colours you get by mixing two primary colours—orange, green, and purple.
Tertiary colours: These are created by mixing a primary colour with a secondary colour. Examples include red-orange and yellow-green.

Understanding these concepts can help you choose colours that complement each other and create a pleasing effect in your artwork.

Apply Colour

Once you've chosen your colours, it's time to apply them to your artwork. Procreate offers a variety of tools for this, including the Paint Bucket tool for filling large areas, and the Brush tool for more detailed work. And if you make a mistake? No problem! Procreate's Layering feature allows you to experiment with colours without permanently altering your original sketch. It's as if you've discovered how to unstack in Procreate, unlocking a whole new level of creative freedom.

Now that we've added some colour to our canvas, let's move on to the exciting world of textures. Ready to add some depth and dimension to your Procreate creations? Let's go!

4. Experiment with Textures

Textures bring a sense of realism and depth to your Procreate artwork. Let's dive in and discover how to unstack in Procreate to create stunning textures that really pop.

Texture Brushes

Procreate comes packed with a variety of brushes that can help you create an array of textures. From the grittiness of sand to the smoothness of silk, these brushes can help you mimic real-world textures in your artwork. But brushes aren't just for creating textures — you can also use them to apply colour and even sketch your initial designs.

Create Custom Textures

Want to take your textures to the next level? Why not create your own? Procreate allows you to customize brushes or even create new ones from scratch. This is a great way to add a personal touch to your artwork. So, go ahead and experiment — you might just create your new favourite brush!

Apply Textures

Applying textures in Procreate is a lot like applying colour. The key difference is that instead of using the brush to apply colour, you'll be using it to apply a pattern or texture. One tip to remember when applying textures is to use layers. This way, you can add or adjust textures without affecting the rest of your artwork. It's another example of how to unstack in Procreate to make your creative process more flexible and forgiving.

With our introduction to textures complete, let's move on to the final steps — finishing and exporting your artwork. Are you ready to create a masterpiece?

5. Finalize and Export Your Artwork

After all that hard work and creativity, you're almost there! The final steps — adding the finishing touches, exporting, and sharing your work — are just as important as the sketching and coloring. Let's navigate this last stretch together.

Finishing Touches

Just like a chef adds a sprig of parsley to a perfectly cooked meal, your artwork needs a final flourish too. This could be anything from adding a bit more detail to certain areas, adjusting the overall color balance, or even adding a signature to your masterpiece. But remember, less is more — don't overdo it!

Export Options

Once you're satisfied with your creation, it's time to export it. Procreate offers several export options including JPEG, PNG, and even a Procreate file if you want to work on it later. Remember to choose a format that suits your needs. For instance, if you want to maintain the layers for future editing, exporting as a Procreate file is the way to go.

Finally, it's time to show off your artwork. Whether you're sharing with friends, posting it on social media, or adding it to your portfolio, don't forget to mention how you've learned to unstack in Procreate. Who knows, you might just inspire someone else to start their own Procreate journey!

And there you have it! From familiarizing yourself with Procreate, to mastering the basics of sketching, playing with color, experimenting with textures, and finally exporting your work, you've learned how to unstack in Procreate and create wonderful artwork. What are you going to create next?

If you enjoyed learning about unstacking Procreate artwork and are looking for more tips and tricks, don't miss the workshop 'How to Draw A Fruit In ProCreate' by Vicky Catalan. This workshop will help you expand your Procreate skills and teach you how to create beautiful fruit illustrations using various techniques and tools.