Step-by-Step Drawing Tutorial for Procreate Beginners

Step-by-Step Drawing Tutorial for Procreate Beginners

Understanding Procreate Tools

1. Getting to Know the Interface:

   • Open Procreate and familiarize yourself with the interface. The main features include the canvas, toolbar, and the gallery. The gallery allows you to access previous artwork, while the canvas is your working space.

2. Setting Up Your Canvas:

   • Start by tapping the “+” icon in the gallery. Choose a canvas size; the “Screen Size” option is great for beginners. Select a resolution that suits your project, typically 300 DPI for prints and 72 DPI for web use.

3. Choosing the Right Brush:

   • Tap on the brush icon in the toolbar. Procreate comes with a variety of brushes. For beginners, the “6B Pencil” is an ideal choice for sketching due to its natural feel. Experiment with different brushes to see which one suits your style.

Layering Basics

4. Understanding Layers:

   • Layers allow you to draw separate elements without affecting others. Tap the layers icon (two stacked squares) to create a new layer. A new layer will help isolate your sketch from the background.

5. Creating a Background Layer:

   • Before drawing, create a background layer. Tap “+” in the layers panel, move the new layer below your sketch layer, and fill it with a color. Use the “Brush” tool to paint or the “Paint Bucket” tool for a quick fill.

Sketching Your Drawing

6. Starting with Simple Shapes:

   • Organize your drawing using basic shapes. If you’re drawing a character, start with circles for the head and body. Use the “6B Pencil” brush for rough sketches. Adjust opacity by tapping the layer and sliding the opacity slider.

7. Constructing Your Sketch:

   • Refine your shapes into a cohesive structure. Connect the shapes, adding limbs, features, and details. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; use the “Eraser” tool or adjust lines as needed.

Adding Details

8. Adding Facial Features:

   • Once your character’s structure is established, start detailing the face. Use smaller brushes for the eyes, nose, and mouth. Focus on proportions and expressions to breathe life into your character.

9. Defining Hair and Clothing:

   • Change the brush to create texture in hair and fabric. Use strokes in the direction of hair growth for a more realistic look. For clothing, consider folds and how fabric moves, using simple lines for the outline.

Color Your Artwork

10. Selecting Colors:

    • Tap the color circle in the upper right corner to open the color panel. Use the color wheel to choose hues, and explore the “Value” and “Saturation” sliders for refinement.

11. Coloring Your Drawing:

    • Use the selection tool to select areas for coloring. You can fill areas efficiently using the “Paint Bucket” tool. Adjust layer order if necessary for overlapping colors.

Shading and Highlights

12. Adding Depth with Shading:

    • Create a new layer for shadows above your base colors. Choose a darker hue for shading. Use a soft brush to apply shadows, enhancing the three-dimensional effect on the figure.

13. Adding Highlights:

    • For highlights, create another layer and select a lighter color. Use a smaller, softer brush to add highlights to hair and skin. Pay attention to your light source for natural light placement.

Outlining Your Drawing

14. Creating Final Lines:

    • After coloring, create a new layer for line art. Select a finer brush like the “Technical Pen.” Trace over your sketches carefully, refining your outlines.

15. Adjusting Line Styles:

    • Vary your line weight for dynamic appeal; thicker lines can emphasize areas while thinner lines can add detail. Adjust the brush settings for pressure sensitivity to enhance line variation.

Final Touches

16. Setting up Textures:

    • Experiment with texture brushes by adding textures to your background or object for depth. Use the “Noise” brush or a textured brush preset to give your artwork a unique finish.

17. Using Filters and Effects:

    • Procreate offers various filters and effects. You can add Gaussian Blur for softening edges or adjusting the overall mood with saturation adjustments under “Adjustments.”

Exporting Your Artwork

18. Exporting to Various Formats:

    • Once satisfied with your artwork, prepare for export. Tap the wrench icon, select “Share,” and choose the format (PNG, JPEG, PDF, etc.). PNG is recommended for quality preservation.

19. Saving Your Work:

    • Save your work regularly in both Procreate (.procreate) and export formats (.png/.jpg). This practice helps avoid loss and makes sharing easier.

Continuing Your Learning Journey

20. Exploring Procreate Resources:

    • There are numerous online tutorials and communities for Procreate users. Join forums, watch YouTube tutorials, and interact with other artists to improve your skills continuously.

21. Experiment and Develop Your Style:

    • Don’t hesitate to experiment with different techniques, styles, and brushes. Create a portfolio of diverse artworks as you progress to see your growth over time.

Following these steps will not only enhance your understanding of Procreate but also spark your creative capabilities. Utilize the multitude of features this app offers to take your illustrations from concept to completion. Enjoy the exploration, and unleash your imaginative potential!