Procreate is packed with powerful tools, but where do you even begin? If you’ve been curious about the app, this guide is for you. Today, I’ll help you get started with the basics, and I’ve included a free printable cheat sheet for you to keep handy as you learn.
When I first mentioned to a friend that I was using Procreate, they gave me a puzzled look and asked, “Isn’t that a fertility app?” While the name might throw some people off, Procreate is actually one of the most powerful digital art tools available. Whether you’re sketching, painting, creating calligraphy, or even animating, the app can do a lot — and it’s surprisingly easy to use once you get the hang of it. Today, I’ll guide you through the basics so you can start creating.
In the video below, I’ll walk you through the Procreate basics. You’ll explore the gallery for managing your projects, learn how to create a customized canvas, and discover the versatility of tools like brushes, layers, and the color picker. I’ll also cover troubleshooting tips to tackle any initial challenges. Don’t stop at watching this video! It’s important to read the rest of the guide, too, for detailed tips, tricks, and a free printable cheat sheet.
Procreate is available on iPads with Apple Pencil compatibility and costs a one-time nominal fee. You can find it in the App Store. Once you’ve got the app and your Apple Pencil, go ahead and create your first canvas. To do that, tap the + button on the main page (referred to as the “Gallery”). Then, choose a preset size or create a custom canvas.
After opening a document, your blank canvas will appear front and center. The tools and shortcuts you’ll use for your creative process are arranged around its edges.
Here’s what everything does:
Once you understand Procreate’s interface, you’ll want to remember the following features:
Procreate’s cool tricks are what really set it apart from illustrating with pen and paper. For example, you’ll find yourself using the QuickLine feature all the time! To use it, draw a line and hold your pen steady at the end. The line will automatically straighten to perfection. You can keep holding the pen and move it side to side to adjust the position of the line’s endpoint.
Gesture controls make Procreate easy to use. The one you’ll probably use the most is the two-finger tap, which acts as undo (a total lifesaver). Need to redo something? Tap with three fingers. To zoom in or out, simply pinch the canvas.
Another cool trick is the time-lapse feature. As you create, Procreate records your process. It’s rewarding to watch your artwork come to life from start to finish and reflect on how the project evolved. For an example, you can watch how the artwork below starts as a photo of an outdated kitchen and morphs into a fun “what-if”.
One feature I use a lot is Color Drop, which lets you quickly fill any closed shape with color. To use it, choose the color you want from the color wheel, then drag it from the top-right circle onto the shape you want to fill. It’s a big time-saver for coloring in sketches or creating solid areas in your artwork. Just make sure the shape is fully closed, or the color will spill out.
It’s useful to know how to share your work from Procreate for a few reasons. First, if you make something cool that you want to share with someone, you can turn it into a jpeg file and text it to someone, share it to social media, etc. Second, a Procreate piece can serve as a good jumping-off point for working more with the file in Procreate. For example, remember that gallery wall piece I just showed you? I was able to use Photoshop to import some graphics inside and send the artwork to my editors to get their thoughts.
To export your artwork, go to Actions → Share. Save the file as jpeg or png for web use or sharing; or save the file as psd to use it in Photoshop (or Photopea).
First, start simple. It’s a good idea to practice with basic shapes and brushes to get the feel of the app. Try out different brushes and effects to learn what works for you. Don’t forget to liberally add layers as you go! It’s nice to be able to modify or delete things without a fuss.
The biggest thing that will help your Procreate experience is to learn the shortcuts. The finger taps for undo and redo are biggies, as is knowing how to fill in an area with color. The most important thing is to harness Procreate in the way that works best for you.
There’s one other tip I have for new Procreate users, and that’s to get a screen protector that has a paper-like texture if drawing on a slippery/shiny iPad feels strange to you. I don’t mind the glassy screen protector that’s on my iPad right now, but I have friends who swear by their paper-like screen protectors. It’s all about what works for you!
The amount of information in this guide might feel overwhelming, which is usually the case when you’re learning something new. I promise that, as you become acquainted with the app, the gestures and features will become second nature to you. But, for now, I’ve made you a cheat sheet to keep at hand as you play! You can download it by clicking here.
I hope that this guide gives you the confidence to start experimenting with the Procreate app! Remember: it’s important to make the app work for you and your personal style/preferences. Personally, I find it more relaxing to doodle on (real) pen and paper, but I love Procreate for making pencil drafts and dreaming up new interior design schemes. When you’re ready, move on to Part II of this guide for utilization inspiration and video tutorials!
Warmly,
inspiration in your inbox
TPK’s innovative newsletters are an artistic treat. Join the 125K+ subscribers who have already discovered The Postman’s Knock, and receive 10% off your first Digital Catalog order.
Fuel your inspiration and creativity with TPK Premium Plus! Members enjoy three free worksheets or learning resources every month, unlimited video course access, member-exclusive tutorials, and a 10% discount on all Supplies Shop orders.
