Procreate Tips and Tricks

Overview

This compilation presents 100 concise tips and tricks for using Procreate, offering both basic and advanced techniques to optimize digital art creation, workflow, and project management on the app.

Drawing and Shape Tools

• Hold your pen in place to draw straight lines or perfect shapes; tap one finger to perfect the shape or angle.
• Tap two fingers to undo and three fingers to redo; hold them for multiple actions.
• Drag color from the color circle to fill shapes; adjust fill threshold by dragging your pen.
• Use the color picker by tapping and holding on the canvas or using the rounded square tool.
• Fill selections and shapes with the ‘color fill’ option or via dragging from palettes.

Layer Management

• Merge layers by pinching them together; select single or multiple layers with gestures.
• Lock layers to prevent changes by sliding and tapping lock.
• Duplicate projects or layers to preserve work versions.
• Group selected layers for better organization; liquify multiple layers at once.
• Rename layers using Scribble on iPad; alpha lock to restrict painting within layer contents.
• Adjust layer opacity through layer menu or two-finger tap and slide.

Color and Brushes

• Create color palettes from images; detach color menu for easier access.
• Access recent brushes and pin favorites for quick use.
• Copy brush settings from paint to erase or smudge tool by tap-holding the tool.
• Save brush size/opacity and adjust sliders for finer control.
• Use color harmony to generate appealing color combinations; double-tap color wheel for quick access to pure black, white, or colors.

Canvas and Project Management

• Use gestures to zoom, fill screen, or toggle menus for distraction-free drawing.
• Check canvas stats and time spent via canvas information.
• Use symmetry, grid, or perspective guides for structured drawing.
• Set up digital sketchbooks with page assist and create new pages per sketch.

Reference and Image Tracing

• Import reference photos as layers or private images for tracing.
• Use reference panel or split screen for side-by-side reference and drawing.

Transform, Warp, and Text

• Use freeform vs. uniform transform to adjust objects; turn on snapping for precise alignment.
• Use warp and advanced mesh for detailed object shaping.
• Create outline text and fill with color.
• Move objects with tiny increments by tapping outside the object.

Selection and Adjustments

• Tap and hold two fingers on a layer to select contents; adjust selection visibility with sliders.
• Use freehand selection for straight lines and automatic threshold.
• Apply adjustments like Gaussian or motion blur to layers or painted areas.

Exporting and Organization

• Export transparent PNGs by hiding the background layer.
• Rename and resize custom canvases; convert layers into new projects.
• Organize artworks into stacks and set cover images in the gallery.
• Restore example artworks and access help via Procreate’s handbook.

Workflow and Expert Tips

• Duplicate layers or projects regularly to create fallback points.
• Flip canvas to check for mistakes; clean line art using liquify edge tool.
• Prefer warm/cool colors over pure black for shadows.
• Create signature stamp brushes for personalized work.

Recommendations

• Explore additional free brushes and color theory resources on freefromflo.com.
• Follow ‘Art with Flo’ tutorials and consider Patreon for further learning.