This procreate tutorial explains how to use Procreate on iPad by taking one simple illustration from blank canvas to exported image. You will create a canvas, draw with a brush, separate the artwork into layers, adjust one detail, and export a usable copy. A finger is sufficient, although Apple Pencil provides pressure-sensitive drawing control.
Procreate tutorial quick start
Start from the screen showing your Procreate projects. The complete first-project workflow is straightforward:
- Create a canvas. Choose a preset or enter dimensions suited to where the finished image will be used. A modest canvas is practical for learning because larger documents can reduce the number of layers available on an iPad.
- Draw the main shapes. Select a brush, choose a color, set a comfortable brush size, and make a few test marks.
- Add separate layers. Keep the background, main subject, and small details apart so they can be revised independently.
- Adjust a detail. Select the correct layer, isolate the element if necessary, and use a selection or Transform operation to reposition or alter it.
- Export the result. Keep the editable Procreate document and create a PNG or JPEG for ordinary image sharing.
You have completed the setup successfully when a blank canvas opens and accepts marks from your finger or Apple Pencil. Canvas capacity is hardware-dependent, so the maximum dimensions and layer count vary by iPad model and document demands.
Make your first drawing with brushes and color
Procreate’s brushes create the visible marks on the canvas. Choose a brush with a predictable edge for your first project rather than experimenting with extensive customization. Set a color, adjust the brush size for the shape you intend to draw, and make a short test stroke. If it feels too broad or narrow, change the size before drawing the final shape.
Brush opacity and pressure can affect how solid a mark appears. When using Apple Pencil, pressure-sensitive behavior may change the stroke as you press harder or more lightly. A finger remains suitable for simple solid shapes, especially while learning how the canvas responds.
Illustrative flower project
- Draw the background. On the first layer, use a large brush to create a simple colored circle or rounded patch. It does not need to fill the entire canvas.
- Add the flower. Create another layer, choose a contrasting color, and draw five or six petal shapes over the background patch.
- Add the center. Create a third layer and draw a small circle in the middle of the petals using another contrasting color.
- Add one detail. On a separate layer, use a smaller brush to draw a short stem or a few accent lines.
An illustrative finished result would show a colored background patch, clearly visible petals, a contrasting center, and a small accent. The important success condition is not perfect symmetry. It is having several visible components that can be edited separately.
If a line looks rough, try a steadier stroke or explore StreamLine, QuickShape, or Drawing Assist after completing the basic version. These tools can help control lines and geometry, but they are optional for a first drawing.
Use layers to edit without starting over
Layers separate parts of the illustration while displaying them together as one composition. Think of them as transparent sheets stacked above the background. A mark affects the selected layer rather than every visible part of the artwork.
Before adding a new component, create a layer and make sure it is selected. For the flower example, keep the background on the bottom, petals above it, and the center and accent details on higher layers. Procreate also supports groups, masks, clipping masks, selections, transforms, and adjustments, but a simple layer stack is enough for this project.
To practise non-destructive editing, select the layer containing the flower center. Use a selection and Transform operation to move or resize that element. The petals and background should remain unchanged because they are on different layers. If the wrong part moves, stop and select the layer that contains the intended element before trying again.
Layer order also changes what appears in front. If an element becomes hidden, inspect where its layer sits in the stack and adjust the order. This is often safer than redrawing the component directly over the background.
Finish save and export your artwork
Procreate continuously autosaves the current canvas locally during normal work, so there is no separate manual save step required after every mark. Return to the project view only after checking that the flower, background, and details appear as intended.
Autosave protects the current local document, but it is not an independent backup. Important artwork should also be exported or included in a separate iPad backup because a locally stored project could be lost if the device is erased, damaged, or unavailable.
Choose the export format according to what happens next:
| Format | Best use | Editability |
|---|---|---|
| .procreate | Archiving or continuing in Procreate | Retains the native editable project structure |
| PSD | Handoff to a compatible layered editor | Can preserve supported layers, groups, filters, and blend modes |
| PNG | Sharing a finished image with crisp rendered detail | Does not retain the complete editable layer stack |
| JPEG | General finished-image sharing | Produces a rendered image rather than an editable project |
For this project, keep a native .procreate master and export a PNG or JPEG delivery copy. Send or store the exported file using a suitable destination such as iCloud Drive, Apple’s Files environment, or AirDrop. The workflow is complete when the exported file appears in the selected location and opens as a finished image.
Procreate tips for a smoother first project
- Use descriptive project names. A name such as Flower Practice makes the canvas easier to identify later than an untitled thumbnail.
- Keep the editable master. Do not make a flattened PNG or JPEG your only surviving copy if you may revise the artwork.
- Add layers deliberately. Create a new layer before each component that may need independent movement, resizing, or adjustment.
- Test unfamiliar settings separately. Try a brush, adjustment, or transform on a spare layer before applying it to an important element.
These Procreate tips and tricks establish a reusable habit for later projects. For your next drawing, repeat the same canvas, brush, layer, adjustment, and export sequence with a simple object such as a leaf, cup, or cloud icon.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Using Procreate
Does Procreate require an Apple Pencil?
No. You can draw and navigate with touch, so a finger is enough for this beginner project. A compatible Apple Pencil adds pressure-sensitive input, which can make varying line weight and painting more natural.
How do I undo an unwanted mark in Procreate?
Apply Procreate’s undo action before continuing with other edits. For easier recovery later, place the background, main subject, and details on separate layers. That lets you revise the affected component without disturbing everything else in the illustration.
How do I change the brush size?
Select your brush and adjust its size control before drawing. Test the result on a spare layer, then increase the size for broad shapes or reduce it for outlines and small details. Apple Pencil pressure can also affect the resulting stroke with compatible brushes.
Which Procreate export format should I use?
Use PNG or JPEG when you need a finished image for sharing. Keep a native .procreate copy when you may want to edit the layers later. A compatible PSD is useful when the recipient needs to continue working in another layered image editor, although some properties can transfer differently.
