Learning Basic Procreate Functions
Procreate is every illustrators dream. It was developed by Savage Interactive and is compatible for IOS and iPadIOS. Being launched in 2011 Procreate has seen a huge transformation in its software that makes artists abilities endless. There are many features to the software that I am going to go over. I have been using procreate for almost a year now and I am excited to share some beginner level tricks and tips for you. I started my graphic design and illustration journey by using procreate and it is one of my favorite softwares. To find more feautures not listed below you can find them on Procreates offical handbook here.
In this tutorial I will be going over basic functions of Procreate.The entire application is very interactive and once you learn the basics foundational tools you start to understand the more complex tools which take time to learn and understand. Even after a year I am still learning how to use these tools everyday.
There are 10 functions I will be talking about today those functions include:
Actions
Adjustments
Brush Library
Colors
Eraser Tool
Gallery
Layers Panel
Selection
Smudge Tool
Transformation
Gallery
When you first open Procreate you are shown all of the art work you currently have. To make a new canvas you click the + sign in the right hand corner which brings you to a tab with preset sizes provided by procreate. You can create your own custom size by selecting the little folder with the + which you can enter your own dimensions.
Once you select your canvas size you will be brought into a new page which shows you your canvas. It will look like this:
Colors
The Colors Panel is located in the far right hand corner there is a circle which is where your colors are located. The colors are endless as you have sliders and can create any color you want or need to use.
Within the colors panel you will find options like Classic, Harmony, Value, and Palettes. These are all there to create different colors using sliders and even an option to enter hexadecimals to create a color based on its color code.
Layers Panel
The layers panel is used to create layers in your art. You can work above or behind existing elements of your painting, and move, duplicate, edit and blend the results independently of other layers.
Layers offers a range of options including select, copy, fill and more which are more advanced tools, but they offer many different options while creating your art.
Brush Library
The Brush library holds hundreds of different tools which allows you to Sketch, ink, paint, smudge, and erase with ease. Procreate gives you hundreds of brushes which come with the application but you can also buy and import various brushes to your desire.
Smudge Tool
The smudge tool allows you to blend your artwork, smooth out strokes, and mix color. This option allows you too smudge and move various pigments around your canvas creating various effects.
In the circled area, you can easily noticed the blended colors, I blended the 2 colors by using the smudge tool.
Eraser Tool
As simple as it gets.. its an eraser! Erase mistakes, unwanted scribbles or erase to get pigment off your canvas.
Actions
The actions panel is used to customize procreate to your liking. Insert photos and text, adjust your canvas, share images in a variety of formats, create and export Time-lapse videos of your artwork, adjust your touch settings,with many other options.
Adjusments
The adjustments panel allows you to perfect and add effects onto your creations. Add an Opacity, Sharpen, Noise, and Blur your art at ease. procreates simple but effects allow for all kinds of creative ideas.
One of my favorite adjustments to use is the Gaussian blur adjustment. the gaussian blur allows you too smooth out your active layer to give your image a soft, out-of-focus look. For example, in my skyline the backround is just colors scribbled with the blur effect, which creates a nice sunset look.
Transform
The transform tool allows stretching, moving or manipulation of your layers. you can resize shapes, turn a shape into a different shape and more with this tool. Its very helpful when you don't like the look of something in one area and you want it relocated.
Procreate goes for a one time price of $9.99 in the app store. If you are an artist (beginner or pro) Procreate is a fun application that can bring you into a new form of art.
Down below you can find some of my favorite procreate drawings and creations.
