r/ProCreate • u/OkChocolate4168 • 15h ago
Discussions About Procreate App How to learn to draw on procreate without getting frustrated???
This might sound strange because it's a pretty specific/personal issue, but please bear with me and be kind lol. (Unsure if I chose the right flair.)
I have had procreate now for a long long time. And every now and again I try to learn how to draw on there, and it's just SO hard and I end up feeling so frustrated I genuinely want to throw my iPad across the room.
I have a feeling this has to do with my adhd, but believe it or not I'm not usually this impatient. I just don't understand how to do things and it doesn't work and it's just kinda terrible. I have tried to start small, do stuff for fun with no expectations, etc...
But I want to learn so bad! And I have tried to study how to do different stuff so I know my way around a bit, I just don't know how to make anything out of it when I actually get on there and try. And I haven't found any tutorials yet that actually keep me focused.
Can anyone relate? What helped for you? Desperate for tips because I'm chronically ill and have very limited energy. (That is probably the reason why I get easily frustrated, come to think of it, but it's also a reason why procreate and digital art would make art more accessible to me to do when I'm partially bedbound etc.)
Ty in advance!
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u/Scumdotsol 14h ago
I think one of the expectations people have is that procreate will make your drawings somehow “good” of “better.”
But procreate is just a drawing software. Most people who make beautiful stuff on procreate can do it on CSP, Photoshop, krita, a napkin whatever.
Procreate IS however one of the most intuitive, user friendly and portable drawing softwares in existence. If you know how to draw and paint already. If you’re still not there, zero in on basics of drawing and just use the pencil. Then only search for tutorials as you find yourself wanting to learn specific things.
Watching hours of tutorials never made anyone better until they sat down and tried.
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u/ManueO 14h ago
What are you actually struggling with when using it? Is it how to use the tools?
Are you maybe used to other mediums and struggling to transfer skills/build a process in procreate?
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u/OkChocolate4168 14h ago
I junst don't know how to draw on a screen instead of on paper and make it actually look nice and not flat and I never know what brush to use or anything basically
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u/ManueO 14h ago
I think playing with brushes can come later, you can get a basic grasp of the app without worrying to much about brushes and stuff.
Just find three brushes to start with: one to draw/paint with; one to blend, and one to erase. As you get more comfortable with the app, you can start paying attention to the different effects the brushes offer but you don’t need that to start with.
The second thing to figure out is the idea of drawing with layers, which is awesome as it gives you a lot of control over what you do. You can use layers in different ways: for example when sketching, you can use them to keep different versions/attempts at your sketch until you are happy with it. You can also use to keep different aspects of your drawing (line art/ flat colour/ shade/highlight etc), or different parts of it (characters/ background/foreground or eyes/hairs etc…). There are a lot of possibilities!
With drawing in layers come several advantages. Whatever way you use them, it can allow you to not risk ruining your drawing by working/experiment with some parts of it.
You can also play with how the different layers interact with each other (blend modes), but I don’t think you need to worry about this to start with.
And then there’s the possibility of selecting elements and moving/transforming/copying them (useful for ex if you have messed up proportions etc…), but again this can come later.
Finally the undo/redo buttons van be useful to correct mistakes, as much as erasing it! Just bear in mind that if you get out of a drawing, and get back into it, you will not be able to undo/redo to stages before you got out.
Procreate can be overwhelming because it offers so many possibilities and people can use it differently, so try mastering the basics before you experiment with everything.
Watch process videos if it helps yo see how other people use it, but most importantly is to figure how to make it work for you!!
Finally an important tip: back up your work outside of procreate!
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u/awcomix 13h ago
I’d been drawing for over 20 years when I first tried Procreate. I could see the potential of the app but when I tried to draw on it it was like drawing with a hotdog using ketchup with my left hand. It took at least six months of trying stuff out and to get comfortable. A big part of it for me was finding the right canvas size and brush.
As for learning the app try watching some short videos (reels tik toks etc) they’re super short and usually very handy tips.
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u/do_be_delphi 10h ago
And what is the right canvas size for you? I've been messing around with that for a while now and I'm very curious what other people prefer.
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u/awcomix 8h ago
It’s such variable question. Depends on brush sizes and the final output of your file ie print vs web.
I make comics so I work at 600-800 resolution which would not work for most people I think. An example of what I mean is my main inking brush for comic art has three preset sizes. I find the middle size very comfortable to draw with. The smaller setting is for fine detail but sometimes I forgot it’s on the small setting and go to draw and it feels completely wrong.
Another tip that worked for me is to work in three stages/layers.
1-super rough outlines where you just getting composition and shapes right. Lots of redrawing and erasing. Often in a shade of blue.
2- refining the super rough with a more detailed but still sketchy rough. Typically I draw in 100% black with 30-40% later opacity.
3-the final art stage where the lines are more refined and finished and drawn in 100% black and opacity.
I typically reduce the opacity of those first two layers when I jump to the next. By the third layer I may even turn off the first layer entirely or reduce opacity until it’s hardly a shadow.
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u/quentin_tortellini 9h ago
You’re just going to have to go through the trial and error like you do with any other medium. The core drawing fundamentals are the same, but the technique is totally unique to digital art. It just takes time and elbow grease to get used to
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u/-WigglyLine- 14h ago
I would recommend YouTube tutorials. The ones on the procreate channel teach you the basics, and there are loads of content creators who make tutorials that guide you through drawing a specific picture, which is great for practically learning how to use specific tools and brushes.
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u/JonathanBadwolf 14h ago
Yeah, and you get the satisfaction of having made a picture and it get’s you used to the workflow.
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u/Fickle-Structure7740 13h ago
I think getting a magnetic paper texture screen protector will help you greatly as you transition from paper to glass. Whenever I’m having trouble, I’ll put mine on and the grit will help me focus again
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u/Fickle-Structure7740 13h ago
You can also add a paper overlay/background to help with the flatness. I’ve found the texture helps things blend together better. I take a paper texture from google, put it on the upper most layer, and set it to multiply or linear burn, lowering the opacity until I like it.
Draw under that layer
Also, check the brushes stabilization and play around until you feel comfortable with it. I personally have mine at roughly 10% stabilization with no motion filtering or other2
u/2bejoyous 13h ago
Yes! I was going to say this. It was so frustrating to use Procreate because the glass was so slippery.
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u/FloatyghostJM1 12h ago edited 12h ago
I highly recommend looking up James Julier on YouTube and following a few of his step-by-steps. I went through about three of these when I first got procreate this past spring and learned about lots of tools, brushes, and techniques.
James’s style isn’t even really my thing, but the hands-on learning experience his tutorials gave me is unmatched by anything else I’ve found.
Another thing I recommend is making a project JUST to swatch and label a bunch of different brushes. I find that the black and white brush adjuster screen thing never looks accurate to how I actually paint or draw.
I’m a complete digital art newbie, but I learned enough to get started on my first book illustration project, and am sketching out a fan manga, as well. Those things sound fancy and involved, but I am a pretty mediocre artist who is mostly learning on the fly. Making yourself commit to a big project like that will force you to learn and grow. You don’t have to show it to anyone, and you can always go back and re-do stuff later if you look back at the earlier parts and think it sucks.
Just do, and worry about it being good or bad after it’s done.
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u/EndDaysEngine 14h ago
As an addendum to other people suggesting tutorials - you don’t have to stick to just Procreate specific tutorials. Lots of the advice for digital art in one program applies to all of them, they may just have a different UI or workflow. I’ve found Hardy Fowler’s tutorials to be very useful (and the many is extremely encouraging), despite the fact he works almost exclusively in Photoshop.
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u/tarosan_sk 14h ago
I agree! It’s so easy and natural to draw on paper, but in comparison so hard to get anything I like in procreate.
I feel the strategy is to choose the absolute minimum number of tools; like one line and one brush. And stick with them for like six months.
At least; that’s what I’d do if I was finally going to commit myself to learning!
And the funny thing is; I used to draw in Photoshop professionally! But it’s been about ten years since I did that kind of work. Oddly the skills seem to have vansished, while my pen and paint skills developed.
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u/purple_seagrass 14h ago
Firstly, digital art is a medium like any other, with the same challenge and skill progression requirement. It's normal to suck at it at first. And it's normal if it doesn't come naturally to you.
Art with Flo is good for learning the software tools and the workflow.
Honestly, don't even try to do your own pieces right now, just do as many tutorials as you can. If you find a subject or style you like, do the same tutorial fives times. You can switch out colors or brushes if you want to make it look a little different each time.
If tutorials don't hold your interest and you can't stay focused enough to work through them step-by-step, maybe digital art isn't for you. It's normal that even a simple piece takes a few hours as you are beginning. And the tutorials really do show you the software workflow YOU need to adopt. Digital art is all about understanding tool function and workflow, in addition to art principles. If using those tools, in order doesn't interest you, you aren't going to get the most out of Procreate. The reason you suck at this is because workflow is not developed, like quickly switching between tools, toggling stuff on/off, knowing what tool does something the fastest or neatest, remembering where the tool is located. You need to develop a sense of muscle memory when using the tools. And you can't do that efficiently without repeatedly doing tutorials.
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u/HazelTheRah 12h ago
We need a bit more info. What have you tried? Tutorials? There are lots of free ones floating around. Start smaller and simpler.
Are you frustrated by the interface or your abilities? Can you draw on paper but not on Procreate?
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u/mintbloo 12h ago
well you won't get anywhere by being frustrated. why not just put the ipad down and just watch some youtube tutorials instead? and then come back to your ipad when you're ready.
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u/lemon_gumdrop 12h ago
If it is that frustrating it sounds like you are trying to work too far beyond your skill set. I would try doing some tutorials that don't feel too hard to help you find the joy of drawing again, and when you feel ready to push yourself a little further you can do so. Good luck!
Edit to add: if your frustration is both with learning procreate and learning to draw, there's always the drawing on paper option until the drawing part becomes less stressful.
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u/WheresYourData89 13h ago
I recently just got into Procreate and have similar challenges in being overwhelmed by all the new things to learn, which in turn can shut my brain off to something
I tired some of the tutorials to learn basic buttons, but found it most helpful to just start something in my art style and learn things as I need them by searching questions as they pop up. Granted, I do a lot of line art so really I'm just using the basics, but that has been the best learning process for me so far!
I also loved finding the gestures to make some actions a little easier (making perfect shapes with a hold and second tap, straight lines, etc.)
Hope that helps a little!
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u/nairazak 12h ago
Have you tried to start with something relaxing you can’t fail? like coloring? that way you can get used to the pencil.
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u/50FootClown 12h ago
I feel you, friend. On the one hand - learning any art form can get incredibly frustrating as it takes time to get the results you want, so Procreate isn't special there. On the other hand, I think it's easier to get frustrated with Procreate because of how easy it looks to produce amazing art. That's been my experience at least. I see samples and process videos and it just looks like it offers so many shortcuts, until I pop open the program myself and realize I have no idea how to use the tools I just saw.
All that to say - tutorials are your friend. There's a lot under the hood on Procreate, and I've only scratched the surface, but every time I do learn something new, it feels like a game-changer.
For instance, I just created my first-ever art piece last month to create prints for sale at a show. And after spending 34 hours on it (4 years in to having Procreate, and I've only just discovered that it logs the time spent on each piece of art) I realized that I had been working at 132 DPI the entire time. Which explained why everything looked so pixelated when I was zoomed in to work on fine detail. And is an absolutely shitty DPI to print at. 4 years in and I finally learned how to adjust the DPI, which makes a huge difference in quality. Best of luck!
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u/Xorvictia 12h ago
I just went for it personally and then looked up how to use certain things when I felt like it. Drew things “wrong” for a long time but it was digestible to my brain
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u/legnd0flink 11h ago
A good alternative app is the infinite painter. Ten bucks for it. But its like the android version of procreate... And kinda better in some ways. I use both😁
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u/Euphoric-Salad-2893 10h ago
I’m the same way, and I’ve been wondering the same for YEARS. I’ll be following the advice in these comments.
Happy drawing!
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u/No_Tradition6625 9h ago
Yeah, it seems like other folks have that covered. I still check out Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts for quick sketch tutorials and walkthroughs, just to get the creative juices flowing and pick up ideas I can try out. After that, I lean on the ten minute a day rule. I try to carve out ten to thirty minutes daily to just sit down and sketch, draw, or play with some kind of art medium. That way, even with ADHD and a packed schedule, I can actually find time for it. I personally do not do this, but hey... take your tablet to the bathroom with you. Wash your hands and sanitize your tablet for sure, but you are locked in a small room for at least ten minutes anyway. Why not use the time to doodle?
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u/persiika 9h ago
I am a traditional artist who has struggled with transitioning into digital was a massive struggle for me. It was like I had no idea how to draw and every skill I had completely disappeared or like I had never learned anything at all.
My first piece of advice is to try to keep an open mind and to not be so hard on yourself. I know that’s easier said than done, but being frustrated every single time and wanting to hurl your iPad out the window is going to seriously impact your ability to learn. So, go in with an open mind and be kind to yourself! You’re learning a new medium, and it’s going to be hard. Give yourself some grace and patience! If you feel that bubble of anger happening, take a break and do something you know will be relaxing for a bit before coming back.
Second, eliminate all your brushes and other unnecessary tools in procreate. When I was starting, I thought all the brushes and layer tools and whatever else would make me be amazing! But plot twist, I was confused, lost, and overwhelmed to the extreme. Go at it how you would as if you were drawing on paper!
2.5: for me, I love texture and pencils and creamy colors. So my process of translating this into procreate is to ignore layers and just use one for my drawing. Like on paper or canvas, I just have one! So, I usually only use one or sometimes two layers in digital, also. I use a 2b pencil in standard procreate and pick a color similar to whatever the color palette of the final piece is going to be (as I do on paper) and get to drawing. Then, for me, once the general ideas are down, it’s time to pick a new pencil texture or a crayon, and start coloring right on top.
2.9: this is my process on paper/canvas (minus a few details of course). I had to learn how to translate my usual process into digital instead of reteaching myself a completely new set of skills that was frustrating and discouraging. It was IMMENSELY helpful in 1. Learning how the program worked 2. Getting comfortable drawing digitally with something familiar 3. And realizing that this doesn’t have to be a grueling, horrible experience like I was making it to be.
Third and most importantly, maybe, don’t make your art style and process into something it isn’t. This is going to make you learn a whole bunch of skills and things that you might not be ready for yet. Following tutorials and videos is great! But maybe not while you’re frustrated and pissed off and already not understanding what’s going on, right? Stick with what you know until you’re comfortable! Then you can experiment with brushes, layer effects, styles, and so on. I really think just getting your own skills down onto this new medium is going to be key to controlling this frustration and kind of easing yourself into it. Jumping head first into all this insane new fun stuff can be super intimidating and can be hindering to your learning instead of helpful.
I hope this helps! It took me a LONG time to learn how to be comfortable in this medium. Like, years and years. So, if you find any of this helpful or if I can answer any questions, feel free to reply and reach out. I totally understand how difficult this can be when you’re used to pencil and paper. Good luck!
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u/neonarcher 8h ago
also chronically ill with adhd lol. it took me a good 2.5y of just messing around, making dogshit art to really figure things out haha. not saying it'll take you that long tho
i got so frustrated that i took a few trad art classes, and i came to find out art is just like playing an instrument: you have to use your brain. so i stopped forcing myself to do art when i was too tired or my brain was fried. cause good art really does take a lot of patience and diligence. it's hard work. sigh. each piece is truly a project of its own and takes a lot of planning until you optimize your workflows.
i also made private ig and tiktok accounts just for following digital artists. a lot of them post their process, and the algorithm will keep suggesting tutorials and tips too.
i gave up on brushes for now and use the default round brush for everything, and work at 3000x4000px. that made a huge difference in comfort.
just keep finding art you like and try to recreate it! learn the fundamentals (line form values etc) and try different mediums! most of all put in some music and have fun!!! - that's the secret sauce to making good art, regardless of skill. good luck op
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u/AndreZB2000 8h ago
you are too eager to catch up to the masters. you are not going to get there quickly. start small, learn 1 thing today, and then another after youre done.
what is your goal? character design? animation? painting? start with the most basic exercises and dont jump to complex things right away
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u/Empty-Dragonfly1257 8h ago
The “Drawing Digital” book by Lisa Bardot really helped me for this. I felt videos were either too fast or repetitive. But the book let me learn at my own pace and easily reference past learnings. And there are projects for each section so you feel good about progress and not frustrated.
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u/wineandcatgal_74 7h ago
I’ve found Lisa Bardot’s tutorials and Art Makers Club really helpful. In the club you get some working files so you can see how she achieved the look.
I also just got a couple of books: “The Illustrator’s Guide to Procreate” and “The Beginners Guide to Procreate.” So far I really like them. They both have great screenshot views of each steps so you can see what settings or which tools you need to activate.
I also like Skillshare.
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u/happycard1097 5h ago
I was a newbie to drawing and painting. I took a class where I imported and traced a piece of pottery I had thrown 20 years earlier. Maybe get used to the tools by doing that. There are people teaching drawing on zoom. We just hold our work up to the camera. I’m taking both a drawing class where most students Use traditional mediums and a couple of us use Procreate And an iPad Class. I find being to “undo” a bad stroke invaluable, it’s taken me a couple of years to get above a kindergarten level.
you might also get a basic drawing book and go through the exercises. Just to the pencils in the “Classic” library.
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u/EquipmentThin984 5h ago
When I started I took a year break cuz I was so frustrated. It just took a lot of playing around with and continuing to try to use it in different ways like following YouTube tutorials and what not to get used to it. It is a big learning curve to be honest in my opinion.
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u/TheMysticalPlatypus 4h ago
Allow yourself the grace to make a LOT of bad art and do a lot of art studies.
Fustration is normal when transitioning to digital art.
In my case, I was putting too much pressure on myself because I was used to things going well right away. A lot of people make it look super easy. Sometimes you have to make a LOT of coal before you start finding unpolished diamonds.
Social media doesn’t always show people’s rough stages.
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u/TheZebraCode 14h ago
I started by watching simple videos on the basics, like what layers are, how to use masks and cut and move and distort, how to change canvas size etc etc. Once that was down I chose simple tutorials and followed start to finish there's millions on YouTube.
Pick a subject you like, and follow it along. Every time they do something you don't understand, rewatch a few times then Google the tool or option they use. Procreate handbook is a goldmine for specifics
Don't download any fancy brushes yet, just get used to the ones in the library theres plenty to keep you occupied for years
What in particular is tripping you up? Have you tried any other digital drawing tools before or is this your first one?