how to change colors in procreate

2 min read 15-01-2025

Procreate's versatility extends to its robust color management system. Whether you're a seasoned digital artist or just starting, mastering color manipulation is key to creating stunning artwork. This guide will walk you through various methods for changing colors in Procreate, from simple adjustments to advanced techniques.

Understanding Procreate's Color System

Before diving into specific methods, it's helpful to grasp Procreate's color interface. The color palette is a central hub, providing access to various color selection tools. You'll find this located at the bottom of your Procreate canvas. It displays your currently selected color and offers options for choosing new ones.

Choosing a New Color: The Color Palette

Color Sliders (HSB/RGB): The primary method involves using the HSB (Hue, Saturation, Brightness) or RGB (Red, Green, Blue) sliders. Experimenting with these gives you precise color control.
Color Wheel: Procreate's color wheel provides a visual representation of the color spectrum. You can select colors directly from the wheel or use the slider to fine-tune your chosen shade.
Color History: Procreate keeps a record of your recently used colors. This is handy for quickly reselecting colors used earlier in your artwork.
Color Swatches: Create custom palettes by saving your favorite colors as swatches for later use. This allows for consistency throughout your projects.

Methods for Changing Colors in Procreate

1. Changing the Active Color

The active color is the color currently selected for your brush. To change it, simply tap on a new color in the color palette using any of the methods described above.

2. Adjusting Color Using the Color Panel

The Color panel provides comprehensive color controls. It's accessed by tapping the color palette at the bottom of the canvas.

Opacity: Control the transparency of your color. Lower opacity creates a softer, more blended effect.
Alpha Lock: A useful tool when changing the color of a layer without affecting its shape. It locks the transparency, so you only change the color within the existing shape.
Color Dodge/Burn: These blending modes allow you to lighten or darken your colors selectively.

3. Using the Color Drop Tool

For selecting and sampling colors already present within your artwork, Procreate's color drop tool is incredibly efficient.

Selecting an Existing Color: Simply tap the color drop icon and select the color from your canvas. Procreate instantly updates your active color.
Fine-Tuning Sampled Colors: Once selected, you can further adjust the sampled color using the color sliders or wheel.

4. Advanced Color Techniques

Procreate unlocks more advanced color manipulation through layers and blending modes.

Layer Styles: Experiment with layer blending modes to create unique color effects. For example, "Multiply" darkens colors, while "Screen" lightens them.
Clipping Masks: Restricts color changes to a specific layer, maintaining precise control.
Color Adjustments: Use Procreate's adjustment layers to apply global color corrections (brightness, contrast, saturation) without altering individual strokes.

Tips and Tricks for Color Management in Procreate

Create Custom Palettes: Developing personal palettes helps maintain visual consistency across your artwork.
Utilize Color Harmonies: Experiment with complementary, analogous, or triadic color schemes to create visually appealing compositions.
Understand Color Theory: Learning the basics of color theory will vastly improve your ability to use color effectively.

Conclusion

Mastering color in Procreate is a journey, not a destination. By combining the techniques outlined in this guide with your own experimentation, you’ll unlock the full potential of Procreate's powerful color engine, and produce professional-quality artwork. Remember to utilize the features to your advantage; they make the entire color process easier. Happy creating!