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Procreate 101 The Everything You Should Know before you begin on the right foot.

Mar 23, 2022

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Every now and again technology changes the way we conduct our day-to-day or professional lives. For those who draw, sketch, paint, or produce visual art, iPad's Procreate app is an excellent revolution in the field. Procreate was developed to work with Apple's stylus as well as tablet devices, Procreate offers artists all the benefits of working digitally (the capability to quickly delete and modify, make artwork faster and quickly communicate with work) and recreates the experience of pens, pencils and even paint on paper.

What exactly is Procreate?

Procreate is a highly acclaimed sketching, drawing and painting app specifically made for iPad.

Fun Fact

Procreate was created in the of 2000, by Savage Interactive, a tech startup located (remarkably) in Tasmania, an Australian Island state that is known as Tasmania. The state's isolation could have aided its creators to explore the limits of their thinking as they came up with ways to transfer some advantages of computer tools to create in the hands of visual artists, literally, using the iPad as well as the Apple Pencil.

There are many artists, illustrators and designers who rely on Procreate and its responsiveness. Procreate in particular when utilized in conjunction together with Apple's Pencil creates the impression like creating artwork with paper. This "natural" feeling, combined with the numerous brushes available within Procreate (plus the ability to customize and increase the number of) have tilted the odds to Procreate's advantage even for experienced Fine and Commercial artists. There are many who have decided to move beyond traditional art tools and digital drawing tablets connected to desktop computers, because of the ease and flexibility, portability and the fresh creative possibilities that is offered by Procreate on the iPad.

HTML0Procreate: Benefits of Procreate

Procreate allows you to create your art in a format for galleries that is well-known for Photoshop users. Procreate lets you import images from different devices and places with hand gestures. zoom in and out of your artwork and undo any changes you make to the work. Additionally, you can perform professional editing and compositing of layers and also create the art with a style that's flexible enough to accommodate your creativity.

Most importantly to experienced professionals, Procreate provides simple integration with the workflows you already have. It is easy to switch between different software and platforms in line of the way you like to utilize, your customers or requirements for a particular task. There are other professional-grade digital art applications that are available, however they're not as effective or provide the same power, versatility, in addition to the full features and capabilities of Procreate.

Procreate is a program employed by professionals. Procreate is a tool used by professional artists.

One of the best methods to learn about Procreate's actual capabilities is by studying professionals' experience using the application.

A post that was written to the VMA (Visual Media Alliance) Design Conference blog profiles three professionals with success who have decided to move over to Procreate, however they employ the software in different ways. Emma Berger works for the Film production company Laika as well as an illustrator working as freelancer. She employs a mix of hand-drawing, Photoshop on an iMac as well as Procreate to create her illustrations. Artist Trudi Castle uses Procreate only for "sketching or sketching concepts" and for leisure-time exploring. Freelance character designer and illustrator Nicholas Kole creates all his art with Procreate.

When taken together, the tales of three artists illustrate an important aspect for those who are considering making the jump to Procreate: A fully custom process will have an enormous influence on the final outcome. By combining tools and mediums according to the way you think is the best way to go, you'll be able to develop an individual method that can assist you in creating a distinct style for your art.

Essential Hardware for Using Procreate

Which iPad is most appropriate to use together with Procreate?

The most recent version of the Procreate iPad application is 4.2.1 It is necessary to use an iPad equipped with iOS 11.1 or later. This means that the most current version of Procreate can be used on every assortment of iPad models available through Apple: iPad Pro (12.9-in. and 11 in. as well as 10.5-in. models), iPad (6th Generation and 11, in. models, as of 2017) and iPad Mini 4. iPad Mini 4.

The previous iPad models with the capability of running the most recent version of Procreate comprise iPad Pro 9.7-in., iPad 5th Generation (2017), iPad Air, iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 2 and 3. Older versions of Procreate work with a number of older iPad models.

In order to enjoy the complete current Procreate experience, you'll want to have one of two iPad models that launched in November 2018 12.9-in. or 11-in. iPad Pro. Two models have the sole two models that are compatible with the latest Apple Pencil.

Procreate's FAQ as well as Discussion forums contain more information about the technical specifications and Procreate compatibility with earlier iPad models.

Apple Pencil using Procreate

Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) is an essential device in Procreate, which is compatible with two New iPad Pros. Apple Pencil 2 will not connect to any other iPad apart from two of the new Pro models. The first Apple Pencil can be used solely with older iPad Pros, as well as Apple Pencil 2 for the iPad the 6th Generation. iPad (6th generation).

Apple Pencil 2 has a flat side that helps many users hold their pencils more precisely. Additionally, it has a double-tap function that truly sets it apart from the original Pencil. In Procreate it's possible to double tap Apple Pencil 2 to switch between erasers and brush and move between layers or browse the menus that pop up, even though you're still working on your canvas. Increase the pressure on one Apple Pencil for thicker lines and tilt it to shade. The natural, analog experience is the mainstay of Procreate's user-friendly experience.

There's a wide selection different styluses (including your fingers!) You can also use Procreate with older tablets (and on new iPads, as well, although it's hard to match Apple Pencils). Apple Pencils). If you're looking for a high-end stylus British magazine of design and art Bloq is a popular magazine in the UK, has Bloq recently released a guide for the best iPad styluses.

Procreate for iPad App iPad App

Procreate for iPad is priced at $9.99 within the U.S. and is available in 13 different languages on Apple's App Store. Its Procreate App Store preview and the Procreate Artists Handbook has additional information.

Pro Tip One of the products that have proven to be a dealmaker for those who are considering Procreate can be PaperLike PaperLike, the screen protector that makes the smooth surface of your iPad appear as the paper you draw on.

Setting Up Your Procreate Canvas

First things first: you will need a drawing board draw on. Once you've opened the Procreate application, you'll be able to see the gallery view. This is where you can look at all the artwork that you've created. Select the plus symbol located in the upper right-hand edge of the screen. By tapping the first button, "Screen Size" will take you straight to the canvas.

After you've opened the canvas, you'll find instruments organized into three categories that are located in the top of the screen, at the top left of your screen and to the left. There's a wealth of options to consider, but we'll concentrate on the most important one that you must start with:

Acts

Clicking on the wrench icon on the toolbar's left side, takes you to the settings of Procreate. It is possible to alter the canvas as well as the tools. Check out the various options and determine what is most effective for you. The best option is to switch on the lighting control along with the cursor for brush.

Quick Menu

After you've exited your Actions menu, tap and hold any area in the display of your canvas. You'll be able to access the Quick Menu. The menu can be customized by adding actions you often make use of, such as turning the canvas. It's an excellent method to speed up the process as you work on your art.

Procreate Brushes

Click the brush icon on the toolbar on your canvas, and you can choose the brush you want to draw using. The brushes menu is arranged by two essential components that are infinitely adjustable The shape as well as the grain. For the first time you should consider picking one of the pre-installed pencils that are available in the section called "Sketching". It comes with over 100 preset brushes, but If you're looking for more options you can easily download other brushes created by artist.

Smudge Tool

Then, just below the icon for the brush you'll find the smudge icon. Smudge has the exact same brushes as those listed under the icon. It can be utilized to blend colors, mixing them as well as making strokes more soft.

Tool to erase

The eraser right to the left of the smudge icon also has similar options for brush. You can use this tool to erase mistakes or get rid of the color. This tool can also be utilized to blend.

Layers

Layers, which are located just to the left of the eraser icon, allows you to break up the elements of your drawing to allow to manipulate and create effects. You can create a primary layer, and then create any number of additional layers you want, continuously shifting, grouping, changing your blends, merging or manipulating your layers to create your artwork.

Find out more about Procreate

Procreate The Basics: Everything You didn't Discover You Wished You Knew

Color

Touch the color dots in the middle of layers to choose a color. Simply drag down your pencil to pick the desired color. You can save colors to make your own personal color palette here as well.

The Brush's Size, The size and its opacity. the brush

The bar on the left includes sliders that allow you to change the size of the brush as well as transparency. The Opacity slider lets you control how strong the stroke and smudge is. In addition, you could use the slider to regulate the amount of the paint that your eraser snabs off.

Undo and Redo

You'll see buttons to undo or redo the work you've done in the right-hand sidebar. Additionally, you can touch your screen using two fingers to undo, and then tap three fingers for redo.

You're now ready to start sketching! You can draw whatever you like to draw for your very first piece of art -- a person or object, even an abstract. In this instructional video artist and educator Jarom Vogel will show you how to draw characters.

The sketching of a brand new layer in Procreate

When you've finished your first sketch, you're ready to add more detail. Tap on the layers icon and then provide your sketch. Create a new layer by clicking on the plus sign. This will make a brand new layer on top of your already sketch.

Pro Tip You may find that it helpful to decrease the transparency of the initial layer to allow you to really focus on the detail that you're bringing into. In order to do this, you'll have to use two fingers on the initial layer. The blue bar appears at the top of your screen. Slide it around the screen so that the transparency can be adjusted according to your requirements.

Use your 2nd layer to add depth to your drawing. make sure you draw and define the lines you drawn earlier along with making changes to your sketch. Jarom decided he wanted to change the location of his character's arms, therefore he's making that change in the 2nd layer.

Making use of the Selection Tool

By the time you're finished, the second layer should be a finalized, detailed draft of your sketch. If you're satisfied with how it appears, you're able to remove the previous layer to ensure that you're working only with the sketch you've created. We're now ready to block simple shapes in order to add details and color. Create a new layer, then select the S icon to activate the selection tool. Start outlining the area of your sketch you're planning to color. This is done by trace back over your sketch. Jarom is looking for a section of his figure to be colored yellow. Therefore, using the tool for selection to trace the section.

Once you have your shape selected, choose the color you'd prefer to select from the color options. Drag your chosen color directly into the selected shape for filling the area.

Repeat the procedure using the tool to make selections and creating a layer for each section you wish to outline, drawing the sketch, and then making it more complete with colors. Do not worry if the colors aren't perfect - it's possible to go back and alter your colors later on. Most important is that you've drawn the design that you would like to draw in as you would like it.

Adding Texture

Once you've eliminated all forms from your sketch, you'll have the ability to alter the color and texture to every shape.

Pro Tip

To make texture, choose the one you'd like utilize (we prefer to use those listed under "Artistic" in the brush library). Once you've selected one, you can begin adding textures to your shapes, applying pressure and speed to alter the appearance.

 Making Backgrounds with Procreate

If you'd like to change the color of your background of your art work, simply open the layers menu. Tap on the layer titled "Background Color". The layer will display the color options , so that you can select the shade you would like your background to have.

If you want to include additional forms to your background, you can create a completely new layer (or multiple layers, depending on the shapes you'd like to add). Make sketches of the backgrounds before tracing them using the tool for selection, and then apply the color and texture.

Export Procreate Drawings into HTML0.

When you're done with your illustration, tap on the wrench icon and you'll be able to open your Actions menu. Select "Share" and select which kind of format you'd like export the artwork to. Once you've picked the type of file you want to save, you'll then be able to select where you'd prefer to save the artwork.

Pro Tip

Sharing and Organizing Your Procreate Work

The ability to see the Procreate drawings in Gallery View within the app. In this view, you can mark and alter the arrangement of your drawings and organize your drawings into "stacks." You can move and drop your images across Photoshop or cloud storage , or any other location you have available -- which also lets you upload your art to the globe.

Vogel’s finished artwork.
Vogel's final artwork.

 Are you ready to draw with Procreate?

Because Procreate is so adaptable and customizable, it's possible to use it to make wildly unique types of art. Artists using the program are using it to design soft, textured botanicals, designs with sharp edges, for lettering drawings, cartoonish designs and many others. If you're new to the program, take some time to play around! Do not be scared to try different mediums, techniques, and techniques for creating your art. The road to artistic achievement is filled with exciting risks as well as exciting surprises, and you will learn learning new techniques.

Want More? Go to Jarom Vogel's Full Class

Digital Illustration: Learn how to make use of Procreate

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