Procreate has quickly become one of the most powerful and popular drawing apps available for digital artists. According to recent data from Sensor Tower, Procreate was the top-selling iPad app in the "Graphics & Design" category in 2022, with over $16 million in revenue. It‘s easy to see why – with its robust suite of professional-grade tools, intuitive interface, and unparalleled performance on iPad, Procreate has made digital art more accessible than ever.
Whether you‘re just starting out with digital drawing or you‘re a seasoned pro looking to expand your skills, Procreate offers a world of creative possibilities. But with so many options, it can be overwhelming to decide what to create. That‘s why we‘ve put together this guide with over 30 cool things to draw in Procreate, complete with examples, tips, and tutorials for every skill level. Let‘s dive in!
Drawing Ideas for Beginners
When you‘re just starting out with digital drawing, it‘s important to begin with simple subjects that allow you to focus on the fundamentals. Here are some great things for beginners to draw in Procreate:
1. Basic Shapes and Forms
Before diving into more complex subjects, it‘s essential to practice drawing basic shapes and forms. This includes things like:
- Straight lines
- Circles
- Squares and rectangles
- Triangles
- Cubes
- Spheres
- Cylinders
- Cones
Procreate‘s QuickShape feature is a great tool for beginners to create perfect shapes easily. Simply draw a rough shape and hold your finger or Apple Pencil in place, and Procreate will snap your shape into a perfect form. You can then edit the points to customize the shape further.
Practicing these basic building blocks will help you develop hand-eye coordination, line confidence, and a sense of 3D form that will serve you well as you progress.
2. Simple Still Life Objects
Once you‘re comfortable with basic shapes, try your hand at drawing simple still life objects from observation or reference photos. Some good options include:
- Fruit like apples, bananas, or oranges
- Vegetables like peppers or potatoes
- Household objects like cups, bowls, or bottles
- Flowers or leaves
- Seashells or rocks
When setting up a still life, pay attention to the lighting and shadows, as this will help create a sense of depth and form. Use Procreate‘s layering system to build up your drawing in stages, starting with a basic sketch and then adding color and shading. The smudge tool can be helpful for blending colors and creating smooth transitions.
3. Landscapes and Environments
Drawing landscapes and environments is a great way to practice perspective, depth, and atmosphere. Some simple landscape ideas include:
- Mountains and hills
- Bodies of water like lakes or oceans
- Trees and forests
- Fields or meadows
- Sunsets or sunrises
- Cityscapes or buildings
When drawing landscapes, start by blocking in the big shapes and establishing the horizon line. Then begin adding layers of detail, starting with the background elements and working towards the foreground. Use Procreate‘s selection tools to create clean edges and shapes.
Don‘t worry about making your landscapes perfect – the goal is to capture the essence and feeling of the scene. Experiment with different brushes and textures to create interesting effects like clouds, water ripples, or foliage.
Drawing Ideas for Intermediate Artists
Once you‘ve got a handle on the basics, it‘s time to start pushing your skills further with more challenging subjects. Here are some cool things for intermediate artists to draw in Procreate:
1. Portraits and Facial Features
Portraits are a perennial favorite among artists, and for good reason – capturing the likeness and essence of a person is a rewarding challenge. In Procreate, you can use layers and clipping masks to build up a portrait systematically. Here‘s a basic workflow:
- Start with a rough sketch of the general facial structure and proportions
- Add the eyes, nose, and mouth on separate layers
- Create a new layer for skin tones and clip it to the base sketch layer
- Build up highlights and shadows on additional clipped layers
- Add details like hair, eyebrows, and accessories on top layers
When drawing portraits, pay close attention to the placement and proportions of the features. The eyes are generally located halfway between the top of the head and the chin, and the width of an eye is roughly equivalent to the distance between the eyes.
Procreate‘s smudge tool is great for blending and shading skin tones, while the sharpen tool can help create crisp details and textures. Experiment with different brush opacity and size settings to create varied line weights and shading effects.
2. Character Design and Illustration
Character design is a fun way to flex your creativity and storytelling skills. Whether you‘re designing characters for a comic, game, or just for fun, Procreate has all the tools you need to bring your ideas to life. Here are some tips for creating expressive characters:
- Start with basic shapes to establish the character‘s proportions and posture
- Use reference images to inspire clothing, hairstyles, and accessories
- Exaggerate features like eyes, hands, and feet for a stylized look
- Experiment with different color palettes to convey mood and personality
- Add shading and highlights to create depth and dimension
Procreate‘s layering system is especially useful for character design, as you can easily swap out different facial expressions, outfits, or poses without starting from scratch each time. You can also use the symmetry tool to create perfectly mirrored elements like eyes or patterns.
3. Lettering and Typography
Hand-lettered typography is a popular and versatile skill to develop as a digital artist. Procreate offers a range of brushes and tools that are perfect for creating custom letterforms and layouts. Here are some ideas to try:
- Create a hand-drawn logo or wordmark
- Design a poster or social media graphic with a typographic quote
- Experiment with different lettering styles like script, serif, or sans-serif
- Incorporate illustrative elements or flourishes around your lettering
- Use the smudge tool to add texture and grit to your letterforms
When creating lettering in Procreate, start with a rough sketch to establish the placement and flow of your words. Then refine the letterforms with a cleaner outline, and fill in with color and shading. You can also use Procreate‘s perspective guide to create 3D or isometric lettering effects.
Drawing Ideas for Advanced Artists
For artists who have already mastered the fundamentals and are looking to take their skills to the next level, Procreate offers a range of advanced features and techniques to explore. Here are some challenging and rewarding things to draw:
1. Realistic Textures and Materials
One of the most impressive things you can create in Procreate is a hyperrealistic rendering of a texture or material. This could include things like:
- Metallic surfaces like chrome, gold, or silver
- Transparent materials like glass or water droplets
- Fabrics with intricate patterns or folds
- Wood grain or bark
- Animal fur or scales
- Food textures like sliced fruit or melted cheese
The key to creating realistic textures is to build them up gradually with many layers of color and shading. Start with a base layer that establishes the general color and value, then add layers of detail and variation on top. Use reference photos to study the way light interacts with the surface, and try to replicate those highlights and reflections.
Procreate‘s smudge tool is essential for blending and smoothing transitions between colors and values. You can also use the liquify tool to subtly distort and reshape certain areas for added realism.
2. Dynamic Action and Movement
Capturing a sense of dynamic action and movement can take your digital art to the next level. Some ideas for dramatic scenes to illustrate include:
- A figure leaping or dancing with flowing drapery
- An animal running or pouncing
- A vehicle or object speeding through space
- An explosion or burst of energy
- A liquid splash or pour
To convey movement effectively, pay attention to the pose and gesture of your subject. Use curved and diagonal lines to suggest motion, and consider adding speed lines or motion blur effects. You can also use Procreate‘s onion skinning feature to create multiple frames of animation and see how your subject moves over time.
When illustrating action scenes, don‘t be afraid to exaggerate proportions or perspectives for dramatic effect. Use Procreate‘s perspective tools to create a sense of depth and scale, and experiment with different camera angles to heighten the sense of movement.
3. Narrative Scenes and Environments
Creating a fully realized narrative scene or environment is a great way to showcase your storytelling and worldbuilding skills. Some ideas to explore include:
- A fantasy landscape with castles, dragons, or magic elements
- A futuristic cityscape with sleek architecture and advanced technology
- A historical period piece with authentic costumes and props
- A surreal dreamscape with impossible geometry or logic
- A slice-of-life scene with detailed interiors and characters
When creating a narrative illustration, start by establishing the mood and atmosphere with your color palette and lighting choices. Use Procreate‘s layer blend modes to create glowing effects or atmospheric haze.
Next, consider the composition and arrangement of elements in your scene. Use the rule of thirds or golden ratio to create a balanced and pleasing layout, and lead the viewer‘s eye through the image with strategic placement of characters and objects.
Finally, don‘t neglect the small details that bring your world to life. Add signs, posters, or graffiti to your city walls, or include intricate patterns and textures on your characters‘ clothing. The more specific and authentic your details are, the more immersive your scene will feel.
Conclusion
As you can see, the possibilities for creating cool and impressive art in Procreate are virtually endless. Whether you‘re a beginner just starting to explore digital drawing or an experienced artist looking to push your skills to the limit, Procreate has something to offer.
The most important thing is to choose subjects and projects that inspire and challenge you. Don‘t be afraid to experiment with different styles, techniques, and tools to find what works best for you. And above all, remember to have fun and enjoy the process of bringing your ideas to life.
We hope this guide has given you plenty of ideas and inspiration for your next Procreate project. Feel free to use these prompts as a starting point, but don‘t be afraid to put your own unique spin on them. Happy drawing!
