how to create custom brushes in procreate

Creating Custom Brushes in Procreate: A Step-by-Step Guide

Procreate is a favorite among digital artists for its flexibility, user-friendly interface, and powerful tools. One of the standout features is the ability to create custom brushes, allowing you to tailor your drawing tools to fit your unique style. Whether you want to create a textured brush for painting or a precise brush for line art, customizing brushes can enhance your artistic workflow. Below is a detailed guide on how to create custom brushes in Procreate.

Understanding the Brush Library

Before diving into creation, familiarize yourself with the Procreate Brush Library. Access it by tapping on the brush icon in the upper right corner of the screen. The Library displays all available brushes categorized into various folders like Sketching, Inking, Painting, and more. You can duplicate existing brushes to modify them or create a new one from scratch.

Step 1: Creating a New Brush

1. Open Procreate and Access the Brush Library:
   Open your Procreate app, click on the brush icon, and tap the “+” icon in the upper right corner to create a new brush.

2. Choose a Base Brush:
   If you’re starting with an existing brush, select one that closely resembles what you want to achieve. For example, if you want to develop a watercolor effect, select an appropriate brush from the Painting section.

Step 2: Brush Properties

Once your new brush is created, you’ll automatically enter the Brush Studio where you can adjust various settings.

1. Shape:
   This is where you define the brush’s shape. Tap on the “Shape” section and then “Edit Shape.” You can choose pre-existing shapes or import your own custom shapes. Draw a shape or use a photo of an object and convert it into a brush shape. Adjust the size and spacing to define how the stroke will look.

2. Grain:
   The grain of your brush gives it texture. In the “Grain” section, you can select a pre-made grain from Procreate or import your texture. Experiment with adjusting the scale and rotation for unique effects.

3. Stroke Path:
   This section defines how your brush behaves while you draw. Adjust the “Spacing” to control how frequently the brush marks appear in the stroke. Play with “StreamLine” for smoother strokes or “Jitter” to add randomness in rotation for a more expressive feel.

4. Taper:
   The taper settings impact how the brush starts and ends. You can customize the brush’s taper by adjusting the settings for “Size” and “Opacity.” This can create a more natural brushstroke effect.

5. Dynamics:
   Under “Dynamics,” manipulate how the brush reacts to pressure. You can set size, opacity, and even tilt dynamics. This allows the brush to respond to the tilt of your Apple Pencil, providing more control.

Step 3: Additional Settings

1. Wet Mixture:
   If you want to create a watercolor or wet brush effect, adjust the “Wet Mix” settings. This simulates how paint would mix on canvas, allowing for blending effects.

2. Color Dynamics:
   Here, you can set how the brush will interact with colors. Adjust percentage sliders to mix hues and opacity dynamically as you draw.

3. Properties:
   Access brush properties to set minimum and maximum sizes and opacity. You can also define brush behaviors under “Use Source” to add scaling effects or to create a varying brush effect based on pressure.

Step 4: Previewing Your Brush

After tweaking all settings, you can preview your brush in real-time within the Brush Studio. Tap on the canvas area within the studio to stroke with your new brush. Make adjustments as necessary, returning to any section to refine your brush until you are satisfied.

Step 5: Naming and Saving Your Brush

Once you’re happy with your brush design, tap on the “Settings” icon (gear icon), where you can name your brush. Choose a descriptive name that reflects its function (e.g., “Watercolor Splash” or “Fine Detail”) for easy identification later.

Step 6: Organizing Brushes

To keep your brush library tidy, you can organize your brushes into folders. In the Brush Library, you can create a new folder by tapping on the “+” icon, organizing your brushes by category (e.g., “Custom Brushes,” “Textures,” or “Effects”).

Tips for Custom Brushes

1. Experiment with Settings: Don’t hesitate to explore all the settings. Procreate allows for extensive customization, and experimenting can lead to unexpected yet impressive results.

2. Use High-Quality Textures: When importing textures or shapes, ensure they are high-resolution to maintain quality.

3. Test Often: Regularly test your brush on an actual canvas to see how it performs in action, making adjustments based on your experience.

4. Study Existing Brushes: Analyze how existing brushes are made within Procreate to understand the settings better, helping guide your custom brush creation.

5. Use Reference Materials: If you’re aiming for specific styles, reference other artists or natural objects to inspire your brush designs.

Common Issues and Solutions

• Brush Not Acting as Expected: If your brush isn’t performing as desired, revisit the Brush Studio settings. Minor tweaks can significantly affect performance.

• Texture Appears Blurry: When importing textures, make sure you are using high-resolution files. Low-quality images can distort and blur when applied in a brush stroke.

• Performance Lag: If your custom brush becomes laggy, reduce the grain and taper settings. Complex brushes with too many dynamics can cause performance issues on less powerful devices.

Conclusion

Creating custom brushes in Procreate is an engaging way to personalize your digital artwork. From setting basic shapes and grain to adjusting more complex settings, every aspect of the brush can be tailored to your artistic needs. Embrace the creative process, strive for unique designs, and enhance your digital painting and illustration skills through custom brushes. With practice, you’ll find that your custom brushes not only elevate your artwork but also inspire a new level of creativity.