Easy Digital Painting with Procreate App – Complete Guide

Are you looking for an easy way to create digital paintings? Look no further than Procreate, a powerful and intuitive app designed for artists of all skill levels. With Procreate, you can create stunning artwork that looks like it was created with traditional media. In this complete guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know to get started with digital painting using Procreate.

What is Procreate?

Procreate is a digital painting app that is designed for the iPad. It offers a wide range of tools and features that allow artists to create digital artwork that looks just like traditional media. The app is known for its intuitive interface, which makes it easy to use for both beginners and professionals.

Getting Started with Procreate

To get started with Procreate, you will need an iPad and the Procreate app. You can purchase Procreate from the App Store on your iPad. Once you have the app installed, you can open it up and start exploring the interface.

Procreate Interface

The Procreate interface is designed to be simple and intuitive. When you first open the app, you will see a blank canvas. Along the top of the screen, you will find the toolbar. This toolbar contains all of the tools and features you will need to create your digital painting.

Brushes

One of the most important tools in Procreate is the brush. Procreate offers a wide range of brushes that you can use to create different effects. You can select a brush by tapping on the brush icon in the toolbar. From there, you can choose from a wide range of brushes, including pencils, inks, and paints.

Layers

Another important feature in Procreate is layers. Layers allow you to work on different parts of your painting separately. This can be useful if you want to make changes to one part of your painting without affecting the rest of it. You can add a new layer by tapping on the layers icon in the toolbar.

Color Picker

The color picker is another important tool in Procreate. It allows you to choose the color you want to use for your painting. You can access the color picker by tapping on the color icon in the toolbar.

Blending Modes

Procreate offers a wide range of blending modes that you can use to create different effects. Blending modes allow you to blend different layers together in different ways. You can access the blending modes by tapping on the N icon in the toolbar.

Gestures

Procreate offers a range of gestures that you can use to make your painting process faster and more intuitive. For example, you can use a two-finger tap to undo your last action. You can use a three-finger tap to redo your last action. You can also use two fingers to rotate your canvas.

Exporting Your Painting

Once you have finished your digital painting, you can export it from Procreate. Procreate allows you to export your painting in a range of different formats, including JPEG, PNG, and PSD. You can export your painting by tapping on the wrench icon in the toolbar, and then selecting Share.

Conclusion

Procreate is a powerful and intuitive app that makes digital painting easy and fun. With its wide range of tools and features, Procreate is the perfect app for artists of all skill levels. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, Procreate has everything you need to create stunning digital artwork.

FAQs

Is Procreate easy to use for beginners?

1. Yes, Procreate is designed to be easy to use for artists of all skill levels, including beginners.

Can I use Procreate on my iPhone?

No, Procreate is designed specifically for the iPad. You can use the pocket version of procreate on your phone, but everything is pocket size with limited features, so I just use this for quick idea sketches as you need to buy a stylus like this one to be able to draw on your phone. The APPLE Pencil DOES NOT work on the iPhone version of the app. 

2. Do I need an Apple Pencil to use Procreate?

While it's not necessary to have an Apple Pencil to use Procreate, it is highly recommended. The Apple Pencil offers precision and control that is difficult to achieve with your finger or a third-party stylus.

4. How much does Procreate cost?

Procreate is a one-time purchase of $9.99 in the App Store. There are no additional subscription fees or in-app purchases.

5. Can I import photos into Procreate?

Yes, Procreate allows you to import photos and use them as a reference or incorporate them into your artwork. You can import photos by tapping on the wrench icon in the toolbar, and then selecting “Insert a photo”.

6. Can I use Procreate to create vector graphics?

No, Procreate is a raster-based app designed for digital painting. If you need to create vector graphics, you may want to consider using a different app such as Adobe Illustrator.

7. Is Procreate only for professional artists?

No, Procreate is designed for artists of all skill levels. While it does offer powerful tools and features for professional artists, it is also easy to use for beginners.

8. Can I use Procreate for animation?

Yes, Procreate does offer some basic animation features, such as the ability to create simple GIFs. However, if you need to create more complex animations, you may want to consider using a different app such as Adobe Animate.

9. Can I use Procreate to create digital comics?

Yes, Procreate is a great tool for creating digital comics. It offers a wide range of brushes and tools that can help you create professional-looking comics.

10. Can I share my Procreate artwork on social media?

Yes, Procreate allows you to export your artwork in a range of formats, including JPEG and PNG. You can then share your artwork on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

11. Can I use Procreate to create 3D models?

No, Procreate is a 2D digital painting app and does not offer 3D modeling capabilities. If you need to create 3D models, you may want to consider using a different app such as Blender or Maya.

12. Does Procreate have a built-in color palette?

Yes, Procreate does have a built-in color palette that you can use. However, you can also create your own custom color palettes or import palettes from other sources, like photos, logos, etc.

13. Can I use Procreate to edit photos?

While Procreate is primarily a digital painting app, it does offer some basic photo editing tools such as brightness, contrast, and hue adjustments. However, if you need more advanced photo editing capabilities, you may want to consider using a different app such as Adobe Photoshop. You can also use Procreate to “enhance” your photo with cool brushes or elements like the “Bokeh” brushes. 

14. Can I use Procreate on multiple devices?

Yes, if you have multiple iPads, you can download Procreate on each device and use it on all of them. However, you will need to use the same apple ID to access it without having to purchase Procreate again. Please note: Procreate ONLY works with iPads and iPhones. At the time of this post,

The current version of Procreate is supported on the following iPad models:

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation)
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch
• iPad Pro 9.7-inch
• iPad (5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th generation)
• iPad mini (5th and 6th generation)
• iPad mini 4
• iPad Air (3rd, 4th and 5th generation)
• iPad Air 2

15. Does Procreate have a community or online resources for learning?

Yes, Procreate has a large and active community of artists and designers who share their artwork and tips on social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter. In addition, many online resources such as tutorials and courses can help you learn how to use Procreate more effectively. You can also join my FREE Facebook group where I talk about using Procreate, creating Digital Art, AI art, making money with art, and more! Hope to see you there! 

Are you stuck? Here are some ideas for digital painting:

1. Create a portrait of a loved one or a celebrity
2. Paint a landscape or cityscape
3. Design a character for a video game or animation
4. Illustrate a scene from a book or movie
5. Create a still-life composition of objects from around your house
6. Paint a fantasy creature or mythical beast
7. Design a logo or branding for a company
8. Create a pattern or textile design
9. Paint a pet portrait
10. Illustrate a travel destination
11. Create a comic strip or graphic novel page
12. Design a tattoo or body art
13. Paint a self-portrait
14. Illustrate a scientific concept or phenomenon
15. Create a digital painting inspired by a specific artist or art movement.

But what style do you like? Here are some popular digital painting styles:

1. Realistic: a style that aims to create paintings that look like photographs, often with a focus on detail and accuracy.
2. Impressionistic: a style that uses loose brushstrokes and blurred edges to create a sense of movement and atmosphere.
3. Expressionistic: a style that uses bold colors and exaggerated brushstrokes to express emotion and convey a mood or feeling.
4. Minimalist: a style that uses simple shapes and limited colors to create a clean, modern look.
5. Pop Art: a style that uses bright colors and bold, graphic shapes to create a vibrant, eye-catching image.
6. Surrealism: a style that combines realistic elements with dreamlike or fantastical imagery to create a sense of the uncanny.
7. Cartoon/Comic: a style that is often characterized by exaggerated features, bold lines, and bright colors, commonly used in animation and graphic novels.
8. Watercolor: a style that mimics the look of traditional watercolor paintings, often with soft edges and transparent layers of color.
9. Oil Painting: a style that mimics the look of traditional oil paintings, often with rich, vibrant colors and thick, textured brushstrokes.
10. Graphic Design: a style that emphasizes clean lines, bold typography, and striking visual elements to create a clear and effective message.

Here are some ideas for creating abstract paintings using Procreate:

1. Geometric shapes: use simple shapes such as squares, circles, and triangles to create a bold and graphic abstract painting.
2. Color blending: experiment with blending colors together to create interesting gradients and textures in your painting.
3. Pattern and texture: layer different patterns and textures on top of each other to create a complex and visually interesting abstract composition.
4. Organic shapes: use flowing, curving lines and shapes to create a more fluid and organic abstract painting.
5. Doodles: create a doodle-inspired abstract painting, using repetitive lines and shapes to create a fun and playful composition.
6. Collage: combine different elements, such as photos or textures, to create a mixed-media abstract painting.
7. Minimalist: create a simple and minimalist abstract painting, using just a few colors and shapes to make a bold statement.
8. Pointillism: use small dots or dashes of color to create a textured and vibrant abstract painting.
9. Monochromatic: limit yourself to using only one color or shade to create a monochromatic abstract painting with different tones and shades.
10. Graffiti: take inspiration from street art and graffiti to create a vibrant and bold abstract painting, using different colors and layers.

Bonus! Steps to prepare your Procreate file to sell as a digital download on Etsy:

1. Create your digital painting in Procreate, making sure to save your work as a .procreate file.
2. Export your painting as a high-resolution JPEG or PNG file. To do this, tap on the wrench icon in the top toolbar, then select “Share” and choose the file format you want to use.
3. Save the exported file to your computer.
4. Open a new document in a program like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.
5. Import the exported JPEG or PNG file into the new document.
6. Adjust the file size and resolution to meet Etsy's requirements. Etsy recommends a minimum resolution of 1500 pixels on the longest side and a maximum file size of 20 MB.
7. Save the new document as a PDF file.
8. Create a listing on Etsy for your digital download, and upload the PDF file to the listing. Make sure to include information about the size and resolution of the file, and any other details that buyers should be aware of.
9. When a buyer purchases your digital download, they will be able to download the PDF file from the Etsy website.

By following these steps, you can easily prepare your Procreate file to sell as a digital download on Etsy. It's important to make sure that your file meets Etsy's requirements and that you provide accurate information about the file size and resolution in your listing.

Procreate is a powerful and versatile tool for digital painting, offering artists a wide range of tools and features to create stunning artwork. Whether you're a beginner or a professional artist, Procreate can help you bring your creative vision to life. If you're interested in learning more about creating digital art, using AI art, and making money with art, be sure to join our free Facebook group. Our community of artists and designers is passionate about sharing tips, resources, and inspiration to help you take your digital art to the next level. So why wait? Join our Facebook group today and start exploring the world of digital art with Procreate!