When you’re creating digital art, one of the most important things to master is how to fill in your work. Whether you’re using a brush, a shape, or a gradient, knowing how to fill in your artwork correctly can make a big difference in the final outcome. In this article, we’ll show you how to fill in Procreate using a variety of methods. We’ll cover everything from basic fills to more advanced techniques, so that you can achieve the perfect look for your artwork.
One of the simplest ways to fill in an area in Procreate is to use the Fill tool. To do this, simply select the area you want to fill, then tap the Fill icon in the toolbar. You can then choose a color or gradient to fill the area with. If you want to fill an area with a specific color, you can tap the Color Picker icon in the toolbar and select a color from the palette. You can also create your own custom colors by tapping the New Color icon in the toolbar.
If you want to fill an area with a gradient, you can tap the Gradient Picker icon in the toolbar. This will open the Gradient Editor, where you can create and edit your own custom gradients. To create a new gradient, tap the New Gradient icon in the Gradient Editor. You can then select two or more colors from the palette and drag them to the gradient bar. You can also adjust the opacity and position of each color in the gradient. Once you’re happy with your gradient, tap the Done button to save it.
Introduction to Procreate
Procreate is a powerful and versatile digital art app designed for use on iPad and iPhone. It offers a wide range of features and tools that make it ideal for creating a variety of digital artwork, from sketches and paintings to illustrations and graphic design.
Getting Started with Procreate
To get started with Procreate, you’ll need to create a new canvas. You can do this by tapping the “+” button in the top right corner of the screen. This will open a dialog box where you can select the size and resolution of your canvas. You can also choose to create a new layer or import an existing image.
Once you’ve created a canvas, you can start adding layers. Layers are like transparent sheets of paper that you can叠加on top of each other. This allows you to create complex compositions by working on different elements separately. To add a new layer, tap the “Layers” button in the top left corner of the screen. This will open a dialog box where you can select the type of layer you want to create.
To select a specific layer, tap on it in the Layers panel. This will make that layer active, and you’ll be able to edit it using the tools in the toolbar. You can also change the opacity of a layer, or lock it so that you don’t accidentally make changes to it.
| Layer Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Normal | A regular layer that can be painted on and edited normally. |
| Mask | A layer that allows you to create selections and protect specific areas of your artwork. |
| Adjustment | A layer that applies a specific effect to the layers below it. |
Creating a New Canvas
To get started with Procreate, you’ll need to create a new canvas. Here’s how:
- Open Procreate and tap the “+” icon in the top-right corner.
- Select the “Custom Canvas” option.
- Enter the desired width and height for your canvas.
- Choose the canvas resolution. The higher the resolution, the better the image quality, but also the larger the file size.
- Select the canvas color. You can choose a solid color, a gradient, or a transparent background.
- Tap “Create” to create the new canvas.
Canvas Size
The canvas size determines the dimensions of your artwork. Choose a size that is appropriate for your intended purpose. For example, if you’re creating a social media graphic, you might choose a square or rectangular canvas. If you’re creating a painting for print, you might choose a larger canvas with a higher resolution.
Canvas Resolution
The canvas resolution determines the number of pixels per inch (PPI) in your artwork. The higher the PPI, the sharper the image will be. However, a higher PPI also results in a larger file size. For most purposes, a PPI of 300 is sufficient. If you’re planning on printing your artwork, you may want to use a higher PPI, such as 600 or 1200.
Canvas Color
The canvas color determines the background color of your artwork. You can choose a solid color, a gradient, or a transparent background. If you’re not sure what color to choose, you can always start with a white canvas and change the color later.
Selecting Brushes and Colors
Brushes
Procreate offers a wide range of brushes, each designed for a specific purpose. You can choose from pencils, markers, airbrushes, and many more. To select a brush, simply tap on the brush icon in the top toolbar and scroll through the options. You can also create your own custom brushes or download brushes created by other users.
Colors
Procreate allows you to choose colors from a variety of palettes, including the standard color wheel, HSV (hue, saturation, value), and RGB (red, green, blue). You can also create your own custom palettes or import palettes created by other users. To select a color, simply tap on the color icon in the top toolbar and choose a color from the palette.
Tips for Selecting Brushes and Colors
Here are a few tips for selecting the right brushes and colors for your project:
- Consider the overall style of your project. Do you want a realistic painting, a cartoonish drawing, or something in between?
- Choose brushes that are appropriate for the task at hand. For example, a pencil brush is good for detailed work, while a marker brush is good for filling in large areas.
- Experiment with different colors to find the ones that work best for your project. Don’t be afraid to mix and match colors to create unique and interesting effects.
- Use layers to experiment with different brushes and colors without affecting the rest of your artwork. This way, you can easily try out different ideas without having to worry about making permanent changes.
| Brush Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Pencil | A hard-edged brush that is good for detailed work. |
| Marker | A soft-edged brush that is good for filling in large areas. |
| Airbrush | A brush that sprays paint in a fine mist. This is good for creating soft, blended effects. |
| Custom Brush | A brush that you can create yourself or download from other users. This allows you to create unique and specialized brushes. |
Drawing Basic Shapes and Lines
Procreate allows you to create and edit vector-based shapes and lines. This makes it easy to create precise and scalable graphics.
To draw a basic shape, tap the Shapes tool in the toolbar. Then, tap the shape you want to draw and drag it onto the canvas. You can also use the Brush tool to create freeform shapes.
To draw a line, tap the Line tool in the toolbar. Then, tap and drag on the canvas to draw a line. You can also use the Curve tool to create curved lines.
Advanced Techniques for Filling in Procreate
Once you have drawn your shapes and lines, you can fill them in with color. There are several ways to do this:
- The Fill tool: The Fill tool is the most basic way to fill in shapes. Tap the Fill tool in the toolbar and then tap the shape you want to fill. The shape will be filled with the current foreground color.
- The Gradient tool: The Gradient tool allows you to create smooth transitions between colors. Tap the Gradient tool in the toolbar and then tap and drag on the shape you want to fill. The gradient will be applied in the direction you dragged.
- The Pattern tool: The Pattern tool allows you to fill shapes with a repeating pattern. Tap the Pattern tool in the toolbar and then tap the shape you want to fill. The pattern will be applied to the shape.
- The Adjustment tools: The Adjustment tools allow you to adjust the brightness, contrast, and other properties of the fill. Tap the Adjustment tool in the toolbar and then tap the shape you want to adjust. The adjustment will be applied to the shape.
Here is a table summarizing the different ways to fill in shapes in Procreate:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Fill tool | Fills a shape with the current foreground color. |
| Gradient tool | Creates a smooth transition between colors. |
| Pattern tool | Fills a shape with a repeating pattern. |
| Adjustment tools | Adjusts the brightness, contrast, and other properties of the fill. |
Blending and Smudging
Blending with the Smudge Tool
The Smudge Tool (located in the Brush Library) allows you to blend colors and smooth out textures by dragging the brush across your artwork. Adjust the brush size and pressure to control the intensity of the blending.
Using Gaussian Blur
Gaussian Blur applies a soft, diffused effect to your selected area. To use it, go to Adjustments > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Adjust the Radius slider to control the intensity of the blur.
Mixing Colors with the Mixer Brush
The Mixer Brush (located in the Brush Library) blends the colors beneath it and applies them to your canvas as you paint. It’s ideal for creating smooth gradients and subtle color transitions.
Smudging with the Airbrush Tool
The Airbrush Tool (located in the Brush Library) can also be used for smudging. By setting the Flow Rate to 0% and the Build-Up to 100%, it behaves like a smudging tool, allowing you to blur and merge colors.
Advanced Smudging Techniques
| Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Multiple Layers: | Work on separate layers to control and isolate areas for smudging. |
| Adjustment Masks: | Apply the Gaussian Blur or other adjustment effects to a layer mask to limit their impact to specific areas. |
| Custom Brushes: | Create specialized brushes with varying hardness and opacity to achieve different smudging effects. |
| Smudge Assistant: | Enable the Smudge Assistant in Procreate’s Preferences to enhance the precision and control of your smudging. |
| Mixing Modes: | Experiment with blending modes like Multiply, Overlay, and Screen to create unique smudging effects. |
Using Layers
Layers are a powerful tool in Procreate that allow you to organize your artwork and control the visibility and opacity of different elements. To create a new layer, tap the “Layers” icon in the top-right corner of the screen and then tap the “+” icon. You can also duplicate an existing layer by long-pressing on it and selecting “Duplicate”.
To move a layer up or down in the stack, simply drag it to the desired position. You can also change the opacity of a layer by dragging the slider next to its name. To hide a layer, tap the eye icon next to its name. To lock a layer, tap the lock icon next to its name.
Layers can be used for a variety of purposes, such as:
Creating different parts of your artwork on separate layers, such as the background, characters, and foreground.
Experimenting with different color schemes or effects without affecting the rest of your artwork.
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Create a new layer | Tap the “Layers” icon and then tap the “+” icon. |
| Duplicate a layer | Long-press on the layer and select “Duplicate”. |
| Move a layer up or down | Drag the layer to the desired position. |
| Change the opacity of a layer | Drag the slider next to the layer’s name. |
| Hide a layer | Tap the eye icon next to the layer’s name. |
| Lock a layer | Tap the lock icon next to the layer’s name. |
Enhancing with Textures and Effects
Procreate offers an array of textures and effects to enhance your artwork, creating depth and visual interest.
Brushes with Texture
Select a brush with a predefined texture to add subtle or bold textures to your strokes. These brushes mimic the look of natural materials like canvas, paper, or wood.
Importing Custom Textures
Import your own textures to create unique effects. In the Brush Library, tap “Add Brush > Import from Files” to browse and select an image.
Using Overlays
Overlays can add a layer of texture, color, or pattern to your artwork. Select “Layers > Add Layer > Insert Overlay” to explore various options.
Playing with Filters
Apply filters to adjust the overall look of your artwork. From basic adjustments to artistic effects like Watercolor or Noir, filters can transform your creation.
Creating Blends
Blend multiple layers using different modes to achieve specific effects. Experiment with modes like Multiply, Add, or Overlay to combine textures and colors.
Distortion and Perspective
Distort or adjust the perspective of your artwork using the Free Transform or Warp tools. These tools allow you to reshape and manipulate your artwork for unique effects.
Adding Finishing Touches
Polished artworks need finishing touches. Use the Smudge tool to soften edges and blend transitions, or add a drop shadow to enhance depth and dimension.
| Operation | Steps |
|---|---|
| Add Texture with Brush | Select a textured brush and paint |
| Import Custom Texture | Import image into Brush Library and create a custom brush |
| Apply Overlay | Insert overlay into a layer and adjust blend mode |
| Use Filters | Select and apply filter from the Filters menu |
| Blend Layers | Merge layers using different blend modes |
| Distort or Warp | Use Free Transform or Warp tools to manipulate artwork |
| Finishing Touches | Smudge, add drop shadows, or adjust saturation for refinement |
Adding Text and Elements
Procreate offers a wide range of text and element options for enhancing your artwork. To add text:
- Tap the brush icon.
- Select the “Text” brush.
- Start typing.
- Use the text editing options to adjust font, size, color, and alignment.
To add elements:
- Tap the “Layer” icon.
- Select “New Layer.”
- Choose an element from the gallery or import your own.
- Scale, rotate, and adjust the element as needed.
Custom Brushes
Procreate also allows you to create your custom brushes for unique effects. Here are the steps:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Create a new document or open an existing one. |
| 2 | Draw a shape or letter that you want to turn into a brush. |
| 3 | Tap the “Brush” icon. |
| 4 | Select “Create Custom Brush” and adjust the settings. |
| 5 | Name and save your brush. |
You can now access your custom brush from the brush library.
Exporting Your Artwork
Once you have finished your Procreate artwork, you can export it to share with others or use it in other projects.
File Formats
Procreate supports exporting your artwork in a variety of file formats, including:
| Format | Description |
|---|---|
| PNG | A lossless format that preserves transparency and is suitable for web and print. |
| JPG | A lossy format that reduces file size but may degrade image quality. |
| TIFF | A lossless format that is commonly used in professional photography and printing. |
| PSD | Adobe’s native format that supports layers and other editing features. |
Resolution and Size
When exporting your artwork, you can choose the resolution (pixels per inch) and size (width and height) of the final image. Higher resolutions will result in larger file sizes but will produce sharper images. The appropriate resolution and size will depend on the intended use of the artwork.
Exporting to a Specific Size
You may need to export your artwork to a specific size for social media, print, or other purposes. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Tap the “Share” button in the top right corner of the screen.
2. Select “Export” from the menu.
3. Tap “Custom Size” in the “Size” section.
4. Enter the desired width and height of the final image.
5. Tap “Export.”
Troubleshooting Common Issues
1. My brushes aren’t picking up color
Ensure that the “Color” option is enabled in the Brush settings panel. Additionally, check if the brush size is set to a value greater than zero.
2. My layers aren’t blending properly
Verify that the layer blending modes are set appropriately. Experiment with different blending modes to achieve the desired effect.
3. My artwork is pixelated when I zoom in
This typically occurs when the canvas resolution is set too low. Increase the resolution by navigating to Canvas > Canvas Size and entering a higher value.
4. My app is crashing or freezing
Close and restart Procreate. If the issue persists, try updating the app to the latest version. Consider reducing the number of layers and brushes used, as complex artwork can strain the app’s performance.
5. My colors aren’t accurate when I export
Ensure that the Color Profile is set correctly. Go to Procreate > Preferences > Color Management and select the appropriate color profile.
6. My brush strokes are too thin or faint
Adjust the brush settings, particularly Hardness, Opacity, and Flow, to increase the brush’s impact.
7. My artwork is blurry when I zoom out
This can be caused by using low-resolution brushes. Consider using brushes designed for large-scale artwork or increasing the resolution of the canvas.
8. I can’t create new layers
Check if the layer limit has been reached. Procreate allows a maximum of 100 layers in a document. Merge existing layers or delete layers that are no longer needed.
9. My artwork is cropped incorrectly when I export
Review the Canvas Size settings to ensure that the crop area is as desired. Additionally, check the Image Size settings to confirm that the export dimensions match the intended output.
10. My device overheats when using Procreate
Procreate can be resource-intensive, especially when working on complex artwork on lower-powered devices. Reduce the canvas size, close background applications, and ensure adequate ventilation around the device.
How to Fill In Procreate
Procreate is a powerful digital art application that allows you to create beautiful works of art. One of the most important tools in Procreate is the Fill tool, which allows you to quickly and easily fill in areas of your artwork with color.
To use the Fill tool, simply select it from the toolbar and then tap on the area you want to fill. You can also use the Fill tool to create gradients, patterns, and other special effects.
People Also Ask
Can I fill in an area with multiple colors?
Yes, you can fill in an area with multiple colors by using the Gradient Fill tool. To do this, simply select the Gradient Fill tool from the toolbar and then drag it across the area you want to fill. You can then use the color sliders to adjust the colors of the gradient.
Can I fill in an area with a pattern?
Yes, you can fill in an area with a pattern by using the Pattern Fill tool. To do this, simply select the Pattern Fill tool from the toolbar and then tap on the pattern you want to use. You can then use the color sliders to adjust the colors of the pattern.
Can I fill in an area with a special effect?
Yes, you can fill in an area with a special effect by using the Special Fill tool. To do this, simply select the Special Fill tool from the toolbar and then select the effect you want to use. You can then use the color sliders to adjust the colors of the effect.
