how to make brush in procreate

3 min read 20-01-2025

Procreate's built-in brushes are fantastic, but creating your own custom brushes unlocks a whole new level of artistic expression. This guide walks you through the process of making your own brushes in Procreate, from simple to complex. Whether you're aiming for a perfect calligraphy pen or a unique texturing brush, you'll learn the techniques to bring your vision to life.

Understanding Procreate Brush Settings

Before diving into creation, let's familiarize ourselves with the key settings that shape your brush's behavior:

1. Shape

Shape: This dictates the basic form of your brushstroke. Options range from simple circles and squares to complex custom shapes. You can import your own custom shape images for unique brush tips.
Size: Controls the overall size of the brush tip.
Angle: Affects the orientation of the brushstroke.

2. Dynamics

Opacity: Controls how transparent your brushstrokes are. You can set this to be constant, or vary based on pressure, tilt, velocity, or other factors.
Size: Similar to the shape size, but this allows for size variation based on your stylus movements.
Flow: Adjusts how much paint is applied with each stroke. Like opacity, it can be constant or dynamic.

3. Texture

Grain: Adds texture to your brushstrokes, mimicking different materials like paper or canvas.
Texture: Allows you to import custom images as textures. Imagine adding the look of real-world materials!

Creating Your First Custom Brush in Procreate

Now, let's create a simple brush. We'll make a basic round brush with pressure-sensitive opacity:

Open the Brush Studio: Tap the wrench icon in the top right corner of your Procreate canvas.
Create a New Brush: Tap the "+" icon in the top right corner of the Brush Studio.
Name Your Brush: Give your new brush a descriptive name (e.g., "MyFirstBrush").
Shape Settings: Choose a round shape and adjust the size to your preference.
Dynamics Settings: Focus on the "Opacity" setting. Enable "Pressure" so the opacity varies based on how hard you press your stylus.
Test Your Brush: Draw on your canvas to experiment with your new brush! Adjust settings as needed.

Advanced Brush Creation Techniques

Once you're comfortable with the basics, explore these advanced techniques:

Creating a Custom Brush Shape

Create Your Shape: Design your brush shape in a separate layer on your canvas. Keep it simple initially; you can refine it later.
Export as PNG: Export your shape as a transparent PNG file.
Import into Procreate: In the Brush Studio, under Shape, import your PNG.

Utilizing Textures

Importing your own textures provides incredible possibilities. Consider:

Source Images: Scan textured papers, fabrics, or natural elements. High-resolution images provide better results.
Import and Experiment: Import your texture image and experiment with its settings within the Brush Studio to see how it interacts with your brush strokes.

Mastering Brush Dynamics

Experiment with the various dynamic settings to achieve desired effects:

Velocity: Adjusts brush size and opacity based on drawing speed. Ideal for creating motion blur or varying line weights.
Tilt: Control brush behavior based on the angle of your stylus. Perfect for creating calligraphic effects.

Troubleshooting and Tips

Start Simple: Don't try to create the perfect brush on your first attempt. Build up your skills gradually.
Experiment: The key to mastering Procreate brushes is experimentation. Don't be afraid to adjust settings and try different combinations.
Save Frequently: Save your brushes regularly to avoid losing your work.

Conclusion

Creating custom brushes in Procreate is a rewarding journey. With practice and experimentation, you’ll soon be crafting unique brushes tailored to your specific artistic needs. So, grab your iPad, open Procreate, and start creating! Remember to save your custom brushes so you can easily access them in your future artwork!