how to draw anime in procreate step by step

Getting Started

To draw anime in Procreate, the first step is ensuring you have the app installed on an iPad. The Apple Pencil is highly recommended for a natural drawing experience. The following steps will guide you through the process from start to finish.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Canvas

1. Open Procreate: Launch the app on your iPad.
2. Create a New Canvas: Tap the “+” icon in the top right corner. Choose a canvas size suitable for your project. A common size for anime art is 2000 x 2000 pixels, allowing ample space for details.
3. Select DPI: Set your DPI (dots per inch) to 300 for print quality or 72 for web display.

Step 2: Sketching the Base Outline

1. Choose a Brush: Navigate to the brush library and select a sketching brush like “6B Pencil.” This brush will give you a soft line for your initial sketch.
2. Lower the Opacity: Adjust the opacity of the sketch layer to around 50% so you can draw over it later without it being too distracting.
3. Start with Shapes: Begin by drawing basic shapes to represent the head, body, and limbs. Use circles for the head and body, and lines for limbs. Keep proportions in mind; a typical anime character has a large head relative to the body.

Step 3: Defining the Features

1. Facial Guidelines: Draw horizontal and vertical lines on the face to guide the placement of features. The horizontal line can represent the eyes, while the vertical line helps center the face.
2. Eyes: Begin outlining the eyes, which are a critical aspect of anime. Start with large, expressive shapes. Draw an upper and lower eyelid, and add a circle inside for the iris.
3. Nose and Mouth: Sketch a small nose using a simple shape, often just a small line or dot, and a small mouth below. In anime style, keep the details minimal for these features.

Step 4: Refining the Sketch

1. Add Hair Structure: Anime hair is stylized—draw it in large sections rather than individual strands. Use flowing lines to represent the hair’s direction and volume.
2. Body Features: Refine the body structure by adding details like clothing, hands, and feet. Simplify shapes while maintaining a clear structure.
3. Clean Up: Create a new layer for your refined sketch. Lower the opacity of your initial sketch layer. Trace over your outlines with a cleaner, more definitive line.

Step 5: Inking

1. Choose Inking Brush: Select a smooth inking brush such as “Studio Pen” for clean lines.
2. Inking Process: On a new layer, carefully trace over your refined sketch. Maintain steadiness to create smooth lines. Vary your line thickness for depth—thicker lines can outline the character, while thinner lines can detail features.
3. Hide Sketch Layers: Once completed, hide or delete the lower sketch layers to make your inked artwork stand out.

Step 6: Adding Color

1. Create a Color Palette: Use the color selection tool to create a palette of colors representing the character’s design, including skin, hair, and clothing.
2. Create Fill Layers: Add a new layer beneath your inked layer. Use the “Selection” tool to isolate areas and fill them with color using the brush or bucket tool.
3. Layer Adjustments: Use separate layers for different colors to maintain flexibility while coloring. Color the eyes and hair separately to manage shading easily.

Step 7: Shading and Highlights

1. Determine Light Source: Decide where your light source comes from. This will guide where to place shadows and highlights.
2. Use a Soft Brush for Shadows: Select a soft brush—like “Soft Airbrush”—to add shadows. Choose a slightly darker hue than your base color and gently brush in areas where shadows would naturally fall.
3. Add Highlights: On separate layers, use a lighter hue for highlights. Focus on areas like the hair and eyes to create a sense of depth.

Step 8: Texturing and Detailing

1. Texturing Hair: Use textured brushes for hair strands to add more life. A tighter hair brush can give individual strands while maintaining the overall style.
2. Details on Clothing: Use small brushes to add patterns or textures to your character’s clothing. This could include stripes, checks, or any unique designs.
3. Face Details: Add blush, freckles, or other unique features on the character’s face for personality. Ensure that these additions are subtle to keep the anime aesthetic.

Step 9: Background

1. Layering Backgrounds: Create a new layer beneath your character for the background. Depending on your scene, choose a solid color or scenic design.
2. Use Simple Patterns: If the focus is on the character, maintain a less detailed background. Simple gradients or soft shapes can help to frame the character without distraction.
3. Add Effects: Use brushes to create effects like bokeh or sparkles if fitting for the theme. Keep these elements soft and light.

Step 10: Final Adjustments

1. Review Your Work: Take a step back and analyze your piece—check for any areas needing adjustment, color balance, or details.
2. Layer Opacity: Play around with the opacity of layers to create a nicer composition and adjust the visibility of textures and shadows.
3. Export Your Artwork: Once satisfied with your piece, export it by tapping on the wrench icon and selecting “Share” to save your artwork in your desired format (JPEG, PNG, etc.).

Extra Tips

• Practice Regularly: The key to improving your anime drawing skills is practicing regularly.
• Study Anatomy: A basic understanding of anatomy can greatly enhance your character poses and proportions.
• Follow Online Tutorials: Supplement your learning by watching videos or following tutorials specifically focused on Procreate and anime techniques.

By following these steps, you can create stunning anime art in Procreate while developing your unique style along the way. Happy drawing!