Procreate Tips for Everyday Artists

If you’ve opened Procreate on your iPad and felt overwhelmed, you’re not alone. The app packs a lot of power, but you don’t need to master everything at once. Below you’ll find simple steps that make drawing smoother, speed up your workflow, and help you get the most out of the tools you already have.

Getting Started with the Basics

First, set up your canvas to match the final size you need. Choose a resolution of at least 300 dpi if you plan to print; otherwise 150 dpi works fine for web posts. This avoids blurry results later.

Next, learn the two‑finger gestures. Pinch to zoom, two‑finger tap to undo, and a two‑finger swipe left or right to redo. It sounds tiny, but using gestures instead of tapping icons saves seconds on every stroke.

Pick a brush that fits the job. The default “Studio Pen” is great for clean lines, while “Monoline” gives you a uniform thickness that’s perfect for comics. Don’t be afraid to tweak the size, opacity, and streamline settings – a slight increase in streamline smooths shaky hands without sacrificing control.

Use layers like a stack of transparencies. Keep line work on one layer, colors on another, and shading on a third. This way you can edit each part without affecting the rest. Turning off layer visibility while you work also helps you focus on one element at a time.

Advanced Techniques to Speed Up Your Work

Quick color swaps are a lifesaver. Select a color, tap the color circle, then use the “Color Harmony” wheel to grab complementary shades instantly. You can also save palettes for projects so you never hunt for the same hue again.

Try the “Selection” tool with the “Automatic” mode to isolate shapes fast. Draw a rough outline around an area, tap “Automatic,” and Procreate will highlight the enclosed space. You can now fill, move, or mask it with a single tap.

For repetitive patterns, use the “Clone” brush. Set the source point, then paint over the canvas to replicate textures or brush strokes. This works great for adding leafy details, fabric textures, or any element you need many times.

Export options matter too. Choose “Export > PNG” for transparent backgrounds, or “Export > PSD” if you want to keep layers when moving the file to Photoshop. The built‑in “Time‑Lapse” export shows every step you took – perfect for sharing on social media or reviewing your process.

Finally, keep your app updated. Each update adds new brushes, performance tweaks, and sometimes hidden features that can cut down your editing time dramatically.

With these tips, you’ll spend less time figuring out buttons and more time creating art that feels right. Procreate is just a tool; the real magic happens when you apply these shortcuts to bring your ideas to life faster and cleaner.