How to Get Better at Procreate: Tips to Boost Your Digital Art Skills

ByJordan Brown

Procreate is one of the most powerful and popular apps for digital art and illustration. Available exclusively for iPad, it provides an accessible yet deep toolset for artists of all skill levels. But while anyone can pick it up and start sketching, it takes some practice and know-how to really master Procreate and get the most out of it.

As a professional digital illustrator who relies on Procreate as my main creative tool, I‘ve spent countless hours learning the ins and outs of the app. It‘s been integral to my growth and success as an artist. And now I want to share some of my top tips to help you get better at Procreate too, whether you‘re just starting out or looking to level up your existing skills.

1. Commit to a Regular Practice Schedule

As with any artistic pursuit, the number one way to get better at Procreate is simply to practice. Regularly and consistently. You need to set aside dedicated time to use the app, explore its tools and features, and hone your digital drawing and painting abilities. This is non-negotiable.

I recommend allocating at least 30-60 minutes per day to working in Procreate, treated like an important appointment you can‘t miss or reschedule. Yes, even if you don‘t consider yourself a "professional", or only use Procreate as a hobby. Developing a disciplined, habitual practice is essential for making real progress.

So block off that creative time in your daily schedule. Get your iPad, stylus and Procreate fired up, and put in the reps. Sketch from references, practice your line work, paint studies, and more – the key is training your hands and eyes by doing. Before long, your Procreate skills will be leveling up faster than you might expect.

2. Learn the Core Tools, Features and Workflows

Procreate is deceptively deep. What appears to be a simple drawing interface hides a wealth of powerful tools and capabilities under the hood. And you owe it to yourself to get acquainted with them in order to make the most of the app.

Some of the key features I recommend you spend time learning include:

  • Brushes and the Brush Studio for customizing your tools
  • Layers for organizing your artwork
  • Selections for isolating parts of your canvas
  • Transformations for resizing, rotating and warping elements
  • Alpha Lock for controlling layer transparency
  • Adjustments for color correcting and modifying artwork
  • Smudge, Blur and Liquify for creative distortions
  • Perspective Guides for technical drawing
  • QuickShape for perfect lines and shapes

Of course, these only scratch the surface of Procreate‘s features. The best way to familiarize yourself with the app‘s full capabilities is to methodically go through each and every menu, panel and submenu. Tap every button and field to see what it does. The contextual pop-up labels offer helpful explanations.

For a guided tour of the core concepts, check out the official Procreate Handbook. It provides an excellent overview and introduction to the most important tools you should know. Apple also offers a free "Procreate Essential Training" course through their Today at Apple program.

3. Study Tutorials, Courses and Other Artists

In addition to practicing and exploring Procreate‘s features on your own, one of the best ways to get better is to learn from others. Luckily, there is a wealth of helpful Procreate tutorials, courses, books and other learning resources out there, both free and paid.

Some of my favorite free resources include:

For more in-depth learning, there are also great premium course options like:

In general, I highly recommend studying and deconstructing the work of Procreate artists you admire. Observe how they structure their layers, use brushes and textures, and overall approach composition and detail. You can even try recreating their pieces yourself as an educational exercise. Instagram and Behance are great for finding inspiring Procreate artwork and connecting with the artists behind it.

4. Experiment to Find Your Style

A key part of getting better at Procreate is developing your own artistic style and workflow. What kinds of subjects do you most like to draw or paint? Which brushes and textures best lend themselves to your work? What processes and shortcuts help you work most efficiently?

Through experimentation and iteration, you‘ll gradually arrive at a unique look and feel to call your own. This can take time, and it‘s important to give yourself permission to play and explore.

Some prompts to get you started:

  • Try doing studies and sketches exclusively in monochrome values (black and white) to level up your shading skills
  • Use the smudge tool set to a textured brush to create a cool painted look
  • Add a subtle paper texture to your canvas for more realistic traditional media effects
  • Limit your color palette to 3-5 swatches for more cohesive, intentional-looking illustrations
  • Incorporate photo collage and masking for surreal mixed media artwork

The possibilities with Procreate are virtually endless. By stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new creative approaches, you‘ll be able to broaden your skill set and dial in a workflow that works for you. Keep in mind that this is an ongoing process – your style and methods will naturally evolve the more you practice and create.

5. Set Up an Optimal Drawing Workspace

To really get better at Procreate, it helps to have a comfortable workspace and drawing setup. You want to be able to put in those long hours of focused practice without straining your neck or cramping your hands. A little attention to ergonomics can go a long way.

The beauty of Procreate and iPad is that you can use them pretty much anywhere – on a couch, at a cafe, on the train. But for a dedicated daily practice, I recommend setting up a more intentional space if possible. Ideally, you‘ll have access to:

  • A desk or table at a proper height for drawing
  • A supportive chair that encourages good posture
  • Ample room for your iPad and stylus
  • Good lighting, whether natural or a desk lamp
  • A free of distractions and interruptions

Speaking of iPad and stylus, you‘ll also want to make sure you‘re using the best hardware for your needs. I‘m personally a big fan of the Apple Pencil for its precision, pressure sensitivity, and palm rejection. But there are also great third-party options like the Logitech Crayon and Adonit Note+.

Whichever stylus you choose, you may want to add a compatible grip or sleeve accessory for a more comfortable extended drawing experience. I like to use a silicone sleeve on my Apple Pencil for better texture.

For the iPad itself, a case-compatible stand can be really helpful for propping up your device at a good drawing angle and keeping it secured. You‘ll be able to maintain better posture than hunching over a flat tablet. I like the Elevation Lab DraftTable or the Twelve South Compass Pro.

6. Engage with the Procreate Community

Finally, one of the best ways to stay motivated and get better at Procreate is to participate in the app‘s vibrant online community. By connecting with your fellow Procreate artists, you‘ll be able to trade tips and feedback, discover new techniques, and even collaborate on projects together.

Some great ways to get involved include:

  • Share your Procreate sketches and works in progress on Instagram under the #procreate hashtag
  • Join the official Procreate Community forums to ask questions and chat with power users
  • Participate in a daily or weekly art challenge like #WorldWatercolorMonth
  • Attend a Procreate meetup (or start your own) to connect with local artists
  • Follow Procreate artists you admire and leave encouraging comments on their posts

In addition to being a great learning resource, I‘ve found the Procreate community to be an incredibly warm, welcoming and supportive space. Putting your work out there can be vulnerable, but it‘s so worth it for the invaluable feedback and motivation you‘ll receive. We‘re all on this journey of artistic growth together.

So those are some of my top tips for getting better at Procreate! I hope you found them insightful and actionable. Remember, mastering any creative skill takes consistent practice, curiosity and experimentation. Be patient with your progress, and don‘t forget to enjoy the process. Happy drawing! Let me know how these strategies work for you.

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