Master Procreate Basics with Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing an Apple

Procreate has rapidly become one of the most beloved digital art apps, especially among artists using the iPad. However, for those new to digital art or Procreate, getting started can feel a bit overwhelming. 

This tutorial is designed to help you navigate the basics of Procreate by guiding you through a simple, yet effective, exercise: drawing an apple. By the end of this tutorial, you'll have a solid understanding of Procreate's interface, tools, and basic actions. 

Whether you've just purchased Procreate or are considering making the leap, this guide will provide the foundation you need to begin your creative journey with confidence.


Get Started with Procreate

Before we dive into drawing, it’s essential to ensure you’re fully prepared. Here are the initial steps to get started with Procreate:


Select a Suitable Stylus

While Procreate is designed to work with your fingers, using a stylus will give you much more control and precision. The Apple Pencil is the most popular and highly recommended stylus for Procreate users, as it offers features like pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition, which are essential for creating detailed artwork. 

If you’re using an older iPad model that doesn’t support the Apple Pencil, consider alternatives like the Adonit or Wacom styluses, which are also compatible with Procreate.


Check the Version of Procreate

Procreate frequently updates its app to add new features, fix bugs, and improve performance. Before starting, make sure you have the latest version of Procreate installed. To check, go to the App Store on your iPad, search for Procreate, and see if an update is available. Keeping your app up to date ensures that you have access to all the latest tools and improvements.


Drawing an Apple: A Step-by-Step Guide

Create a New Canvas

  1. Access the Gallery: When you launch the Procreate app, you’ll see the Gallery, where all your previous artworks are displayed. Tap the “+” icon in the top-right corner to create a new canvas.
  2. Choose Canvas Size: A menu will appear with several preset canvas sizes. For this exercise, select “Square” (2048 x 2048 pixels). This size is ideal for a high-resolution project, giving you plenty of space to work with. If you prefer, you can customize your canvas by tapping "Create Custom Size."
  3. Set Resolution: Ensure that the DPI (dots per inch) is set to 300 for a crisp, detailed image. Higher DPI is recommended for prints, but 300 DPI is perfect for digital art.
  4. Explore the Canvas Interface: Before you begin, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the canvas interface. The top menu bar includes tools like the brush, smudge, eraser, and layers, while the sidebar on the left allows you to adjust brush size, opacity, and more.

After creating the new canvas, you will see multiple actions at the top and left of the interface. Don’t worry. Follow the steps below and familiarize with the interface via drawing an apple by yourself.

Sketch the Outline

On the top right, you’ll find the Painting Tools, which supports: Paint, smudge, erase, create layers of artwork, and choose colors.

  1. Select the Brush Tool: Tap the brush icon at the top right to open the Brush Library. For sketching, choose the “6B Pencil” from the “Sketching” category. This brush mimics the feel of a traditional pencil, making it great for rough sketches.
  2. Adjust Brush Settings: On the left sidebar, adjust the brush size using the top slider. A smaller size is best for detailed work, while a larger size is better for broad strokes. Use the bottom slider to adjust brush opacity; lower opacity is ideal for lighter, more subtle lines.
  3. Start Sketching: Begin by lightly drawing the basic shape of an apple. Focus on getting the proportions right—a slightly rounded shape with a gentle indentation at the top where the stem will go. Don’t worry about making it perfect.
  4. Modify and Adjust: If you need to make changes, use the “Undo” button on the left sidebar or tap with two fingers on the screen to undo your last action. For redo, tap with three fingers.

Erase Mistakes

  1. Switch to the Eraser Tool: Tap on the eraser icon, located next to the brush icon. This tool is essential for cleaning up your sketch.
  2. Choose the Right Eraser: Just like the brush tool, the eraser has various options. Start with the “Soft Brush” under the “Airbrushing” category for gentle erasing or the “6B Pencil” under “Sketching” for more precise corrections.
  3. Refine Your Sketch: Carefully erase any stray lines or areas that need adjustment. If you accidentally erase too much, use the Undo function to restore your work.

Add Base Colors

  1. Open the Color Interface: Tap the color circle in the top-right corner to bring up the color picker. The color wheel allows you to choose any hue, while the value sliders let you adjust the saturation and brightness.
  2. Pick a Base Color: For a red apple, select a rich red hue. If you’re drawing a green apple, pick a vibrant green. You can either manually adjust the sliders or use one of Procreate’s preset color palettes.
  3. Apply the Base Color: Return to the Brush Library and select a soft, round brush like the “Round Brush” under the “Airbrushing” category. Adjust the brush size to cover larger areas and begin filling in the apple’s shape with your chosen color. Work in smooth, even strokes to avoid any harsh lines.
  4. Utilize the Sidebar: As you paint, adjust the brush size and opacity as needed using the sliders on the left sidebar. Lower opacity can be useful for layering color gradually.

Shade and Detail

  1. Add Shadows: Choose a darker shade of your base color and use it to add shadows on the apple. Consider where your light source is coming from, and shade the opposite side of the apple. Start with the “Soft Brush” under “Airbrushing” for smooth, gradient shadows.
  2. Highlight with Lighter Colors: To add highlights, select a lighter version of your base color or even white. Apply highlights to the areas where light would naturally hit the apple, such as the top or any raised surfaces.
  3. Use the Smudge Tool: Tap the smudge icon (between the brush and eraser icons) and choose a soft brush to gently blend the shadows and highlights. This tool is excellent for creating smooth transitions and realistic shading.
  4. Layer Management: Open the Layers panel by tapping the icon in the top-right corner. Add a new layer for shading and highlights. Working on separate layers allows you to make adjustments without affecting the underlying colors or sketch.
  5. Finishing Touches: Add any final details, such as small dots or specks on the apple’s skin, using a tiny brush with low opacity. These subtle touches can make your drawing more lifelike.

Explore Advanced Features

Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the basic tools and techniques, it’s time to explore some of Procreate’s more advanced features. These tools will help you refine your artwork, add complex effects, and streamline your workflow.

Use Layers Effectively

  1. Understanding Layers: Layers are a powerful feature in Procreate that allow you to separate different elements of your artwork. Think of layers as transparent sheets stacked on top of each other. By working on separate layers, you can edit individual parts of your drawing without affecting the rest.
  2. Creating and Managing Layers: Tap the Layers icon in the top-right corner to open the Layers panel. To add a new layer, tap the “+” icon. You can rename layers by tapping on the layer name and selecting “Rename.” To organize your layers, simply drag them up or down in the panel.
  3. Merging and Grouping Layers: To keep your Layers panel organized, you can merge layers by pinching them together in the panel or group them by swiping right on each layer and selecting “Group.” Grouping is particularly useful when working on complex projects with many layers.

Adjustments

  1. Accessing the Adjustments Menu: Tap the magic wand icon at the top left to access the Adjustments menu. This menu offers a range of tools to modify your artwork, such as brightness, contrast, and hue adjustments.
  2. Color Adjustments: Use the Hue, Saturation, and Brightness (HSB) sliders to fine-tune the colors in your artwork. For example, if your apple appears too dark, increase the brightness or adjust the hue to find the perfect shade.
  3. Gaussian Blur: This tool is great for softening edges or adding depth to your artwork. Select Gaussian Blur from the Adjustments menu, then slide your finger left or right on the screen to increase or decrease the blur effect.
  4. Sharpen and Noise: Use the Sharpen tool to enhance details in your drawing, making textures more pronounced. The Noise tool adds a grainy effect, which can give your artwork a more tactile feel.

Selections

  1. Making Selections: The Selection tool, represented by the “S” icon in the top menu, allows you to isolate and work on specific parts of your artwork. Tap the icon, then choose a selection mode: Freehand, Rectangle, Ellipse, or Automatic.
  2. Using Selections for Detailed Edits: Selections are particularly useful for detailed edits. For example, if you want to adjust the color of just the apple's stem, make a selection around the stem, then use the Adjustments menu to modify only that area.

Transform

  1. Basic Transformations: Tap the arrow icon at the top left to access the Transform tool. This tool lets you move, scale, rotate, and distort your selections. After selecting an area, drag it around the canvas to reposition it.
  2. Using the Snapping Feature: When moving elements, Procreate’s Snapping feature helps you align objects with the grid or other elements on the canvas. Enable Snapping in the Transform toolbar to ensure perfect alignment.

Export Your Artwork

Tap the wrench icon in the top-left corner to open the Actions menu. From here, you can save your artwork in various formats, including PNG, JPEG, and PSD. Choose “Share” and select the desired format.


Basic Gestures and Controls

Understanding Procreate’s gestures and controls will help you navigate the canvas, perform quick actions, and enhance your overall workflow.

Navigate the Canvas

  1. Pinch to Zoom: Use two fingers to pinch the screen and zoom in or out of your canvas. This gesture is incredibly useful when you need to work on small details or view your entire artwork.
  2. Rotate the Canvas: Rotate the canvas by twisting two fingers on the screen. This is especially helpful when working on curved lines or specific angles, as it allows you to draw comfortably from any direction.
  3. Move the Canvas: To move around the canvas, place two fingers on the screen and drag. This allows you to reposition the canvas without changing the zoom level or rotation.

Common Gestures

  1. Undo and Redo: Tap with two fingers anywhere on the screen to undo your last action. If you want to redo, tap with three fingers. These gestures are quick and convenient, making it easy to correct mistakes or revisit previous steps.
  2. QuickLine: Draw a line, then hold your pencil on the screen to activate QuickLine. This gesture straightens your line automatically, which is perfect for drawing precise lines and shapes.
  3. QuickShape: Similar to QuickLine, draw a shape (circle, square, triangle, etc.) and hold your pencil on the screen. Procreate will recognize the shape and make it more geometric, allowing you to adjust the size and angles before finalizing it.
  4. Copy and Paste with Three Fingers: Swipe down with three fingers to bring up the Copy and Paste menu. From here, you can cut, copy, duplicate, or paste selections, making it easy to manage and replicate parts of your artwork.
  5. Four-Finger Tap for Full-Screen Mode: Tap with four fingers to enter or exit full-screen mode. This gesture hides the interface, giving you an unobstructed view of your canvas, which is great for evaluating your artwork or focusing on details.
  6. Touch and Hold for Color Picker: Touch and hold with one finger to bring up the color picker. This allows you to quickly sample colors from your canvas, making color matching easy and precise.

Tips for Continued Learning

Once you’ve mastered the basics of Procreate, the journey doesn’t stop there. The app is packed with advanced tools and features that can elevate your digital art to new levels. Here are some tips to help you continue learning and improving your skills.

Join the Procreate Community

  1. Forums and Online Communities: Joining forums and online communities dedicated to Procreate is a great way to connect with other artists, share your work, and seek advice. Communities like the official Procreate forums, Reddit’s r/Procreate, and various Facebook groups are excellent places to start. These platforms are full of experienced users who are often willing to help beginners with tips, tricks, and constructive feedback.
  2. Social Media Engagement: Follow Procreate’s official social media accounts on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. These channels often share tutorials, artist spotlights, and challenges that can inspire you and help you learn new techniques. Engaging with the community on social media can also boost your visibility as an artist.
  3. Participate in Challenges: Many Procreate communities and social media platforms host art challenges, such as “Draw This in Your Style” or monthly drawing prompts. Participating in these challenges can push you out of your comfort zone, encourage creativity, and help you apply the skills you’ve learned in new ways.

Explore Additional Resources

  1. Procreate Handbook: The Procreate Handbook is an official resource provided by the developers of Procreate. It’s a comprehensive guide that covers everything from basic tools to advanced features. Whether you’re looking to understand a specific function or want to explore new techniques, the Handbook is an invaluable resource. You can access it directly within the app by navigating to Actions > Help > Procreate Handbook.
  2. Online Courses and Tutorials: If you prefer structured learning, consider enrolling in online courses specifically designed for Procreate. Websites like Skillshare, Udemy, and Domestika offer a variety of courses tailored to different skill levels, from beginner to advanced. These courses often provide in-depth tutorials, project-based learning, and access to instructors for personalized feedback.
  3. YouTube Channels: YouTube is another excellent resource for free Procreate tutorials. Channels like “Art with Flo,” “James Julier,” and “Bardot Brush” offer step-by-step tutorials on a wide range of topics, from basic techniques to creating complex illustrations. Watching these videos can help you discover new tools and methods, as well as provide inspiration for your own projects.
  4. Books and E-books: There are also several books and e-books available that focus on digital art with Procreate. These resources often include exercises, tips from professional artists, and projects that you can follow along with. Books like “Procreate for Beginners” by S.J. Scott and “Procreate Artists’ Handbook” by Lisa Bardot are popular choices among Procreate users.

Congratulations! You’ve now taken your first steps into the world of digital art with Procreate. As you move forward, remember that practice is key to becoming proficient in Procreate. The more you experiment with its tools and features, the more comfortable you’ll become. Happy creating!

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