Getting Started with Procreate: Essential Basics for Beginners

If you're new to Procreate on the iPad, this beginner-friendly guide will help you navigate the essential basics and set up your digital art workspace effectively. We'll cover everything you need to know to get started, from interface navigation to exporting your artwork.

Understanding the Procreate Interface

When you first open Procreate, you'll see the Gallery view, which displays all your artwork. This is your home base for managing files, creating new canvases, and organizing your projects.

Gallery Features

• Thumbnails: Each artwork appears as a thumbnail in the gallery
• Create New (+): Tap the plus icon to create a new canvas
• Organization: Create custom stacks (folders) by dragging thumbnails onto each other
• Import: Import images from your Photos app or Files
• Gallery Actions: Access additional options by tapping the wrench icon

Navigation and Basic Controls

Once you open a canvas, you'll have access to Procreate's main interface:

• Brush tool (top right): Access all your brushes
• Smudge tool: Blend colors and create smooth transitions
• Eraser: Remove parts of your artwork
• Layers panel (top right): Manage all layers in your artwork
• Color picker (top right): Select and customize colors
• Modify menu (wrench icon): Access additional tools and export options

Creating Your First Canvas

Setting up the right canvas is crucial for quality artwork. Here's how to create one that suits your needs:

1. From the Gallery, tap the + icon
2. Choose from preset canvas sizes or create a custom one
3. For custom sizes, tap Create Custom Canvas
4. Set your dimensions (width and height)
5. Adjust the DPI (Dots Per Inch) based on your project:
   • 72 DPI: Web and screen display
   • 150-300 DPI: Print materials
   • 300+ DPI: High-quality prints and detailed artwork

Canvas Settings Tips

• Higher DPI creates more detailed artwork but uses more layers
• The layer limit depends on your iPad model and canvas size
• For complex artwork, consider using a higher DPI but smaller dimensions
• You can check your layer limit in the Layers panel

Essential Drawing Controls

Brush Size and Opacity

Procreate makes it easy to adjust brush size and opacity:

• Brush size: Slide your finger left/right on the screen
• Brush opacity: Slide your finger up/down on the screen
• For precise control: Use the sliders in the brush panel

Using QuickLine

Create perfectly straight lines with the QuickLine feature:

1. Draw a line or stroke
2. Hold your finger or pencil at the end without lifting
3. Procreate will straighten the line automatically
4. Adjust the position before releasing

Color Selection

Access the color picker by tapping the color circle in the top right:

• Disc: The main color selection interface
• Classic: Traditional RGB/HSB sliders
• Harmony: Color harmony tools for complementary colors
• Value: Focus on lightness/darkness values
• Palettes: Save and access your custom color collections

Saving and Exporting Your Artwork

Procreate automatically saves your work as you go, but you'll need to export when you want to share or use your artwork elsewhere:

1. Tap the Wrench icon
2. Select Share
3. Choose your preferred format:
   • PSD: For further editing in Photoshop
   • PROCREATE: Native format with all layers and data
   • JPG: Compressed format for sharing
   • PNG: Lossless format with transparency support
   • PDF: Document format for printing
   • TIFF: High-quality format for printing

Export Tips

• Use PNG for artwork that requires transparency
• Export as PSD if you want to continue editing in Photoshop
• JPEG works well for sharing on social media (smaller file size)
• Always keep your original Procreate file as a backup

Essential Workflow Tips for Beginners

Interface Visibility

Quickly hide all interface elements to see your artwork clearly:

• Tap with four fingers on the screen to hide/show the interface
• This is perfect for reviewing your artwork without distractions

Display Zoom and Rotation

Navigate your canvas effortlessly:

• Pinch to zoom in and out
• Use two fingers to rotate the canvas
• Double-tap with two fingers to reset the canvas rotation
• Pinch with three fingers to fit the canvas to your screen

Quick Undo and Redo

Made a mistake? Procreate makes it easy to correct:

• Tap with two fingers to undo
• Tap with three fingers to redo
• You can undo multiple steps by tapping repeatedly

Next Steps in Your Procreate Journey

Once you've mastered these basics, you're ready to explore more advanced features:

• Learn essential gestures and shortcuts to speed up your workflow
• Explore Procreate's brush system for diverse artistic effects
• Master color techniques for vibrant, harmonious artwork
• Understand how to work with layers for complex compositions

Enhance Your Procreate Experience with Custom Brushes

While Procreate's default brushes are excellent, custom brush sets can dramatically expand your creative possibilities. Our specialized brushes are designed to help beginners achieve professional results with minimal effort:

• ArtPack Pro: Perfect for beginners with versatile, easy-to-use brushes for multiple art styles
• VFX Master: Create stunning visual effects and dynamic elements even as a beginner
• Fractal Sample: Try our free sample pack to create beautiful, complex patterns instantly

Conclusion

Getting started with Procreate is the first step on an exciting creative journey. This powerful app balances accessibility with professional features, making it perfect for artists at any level. As you practice with these basic tools and controls, you'll build the foundation for more advanced techniques.

For a comprehensive overview of Procreate's capabilities, check out our Complete Guide to Mastering Procreate, which covers everything from basics to advanced techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions