This beginner course is designed for anyone new to Procreate or digital art, whether you’re artistic but unfamiliar with computers, or experienced with other software and seeking a more intuitive way to work. Using an iPad and Apple Pencil, students are guided step‑by‑step through Procreate’s interface and core tools. You’ll learn to use brushes, smudge and eraser tools, editing features such as moving, warping and distorting artwork, and symmetry tools. The course highlights the benefits of digital creation, including flexibility, portability and the ability to experiment freely by undoing or duplicating work. Working in combination with the Apple Pencil, this is the closest you will get to creating digital art in a natural way, as if you are drawing or painting directly onto paper. You are able to apply pressure sensitivity to achieve amazing results. The program is fun to use and being on and iPad, is portable and super-convenient to travel with.
Please be advised that students will need to bring their own iPad (including charger) and Apple Pencil that they know how to use as well as purchasing and downloading the Procreate app (the cost of Procreate is not included in the course fee).
- You can use Apple Pencil (1st generation) with these iPad models: iPad mini (5th generation); iPad (6th generation and later); iPad Air (3rd generation); iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd generation); iPad Pro 10.5-inch; iPad Pro 9.7-inch
- You can use Apple Pencil (2nd generation) with these iPad models: iPad mini (6th generation); iPad Air (4th generation and later); iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later); iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)
If you are uncertain of what model your Apple Pencil / iPad is, please check the user manual that came with your device, or contact your nearest Apple store.
- Basic interface & getting started - Outline of why Procreate is such a popular and powerful tool in the design industry; Introduction to the key Interface tools and preferences; Creating a new Canvas + Resolution and Colour Profiles; How to then resize if necessary; Understanding how size and dpi affect the number of layers available; Using an existing file or illustration from photographs as a starting point; Brush Basics and brush sensitivity; Quick Shapes
- Starting to create a drawing - Introducing some shortcut gestures; Drawing Guide and Symmetry; Layers and Blend Modes; Selection Tools and editing selections; File Formats and saving your work and ways of sharing.
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Create digital artwork independently using the Procreate app, employing a wide range of drawing and editing skills including Quick Shapes.
- Understand the difference between raster and vectorised art.
- Use the key tools in the Procreate Interface to crop and resize canvases.
- Use the Brushes Library to create a wide range of mark-making effects.
- Use the Symmetry tools to create artwork.
- Know how to insert and trace over photographs.
- Understand how to work in layers and why that establishes a best workflow.
- Understand file formats for saving and sharing their work.
