The Digital Painting w/ Procreate Guide

Procreate is an amazing digital art app on iPad for sketching, drawing, finished illustrations, and painting that total beginners or seasoned professionals can use to make digital art. Procreate is a bit like a piano. If you know the basics, you can play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star or, with a little practice, you might play some Beethoven.

The course is designed to show you an easy-to-follow, step-by-step method of digital painting from grayscale to color. It's a great way for beginner's to learn how to focus on the important parts (value and contrast) without having to worry as much about color at first. This method will make it easier for you to select colors that work well together. You'll also learn how to avoid the common mistakes and pitfalls beginners make - like flat looking colors.

We'll go through the entire process together - from sketch to finished product. In each section, we'll focus on a specific aspect of the process.

We'll start with a basic thumbnail sketch, but feel free to create your own.
We'll tighten it up and start adding the light and shading.
We'll learn how to apply colors in a simple, but effective way that works for almost any type of digital painting.
Lastly, we'll polish up the fine details.

My name is Kurt, and I use Procreate in my professional work Image Comics as well as my own digital paintings. I've been creating tutorials and online courses since 2013 teaching thousands of students worldwide about digital art.

Procreate is MUCH more powerful than most users realize. You'll learn tons of tips, tricks, and shortcuts that I had to learn the hard way. :)

I'll also include:

the Procreate file I work on throughout the course, so you can see how the layers work from the inside.
several stages of our exercise, so you can pick it up at almost any point in the process.

So join me. If you'd like a Bob Ross-style walkthrough with my favorite digital art app for iPad, check it out. See you inside. :)

-KMR

What's inside

Learning objectives

You'll learn that procreate's tools are more powerful than most realize!
You'll learn tons of tips, little-known tricks, and shortcuts for this amazing ipad app.
You'll learn creative ways to use selections, layer masks, filters, adjustments, and a lot more!

You'll learn art techniques you'll be able to immediately apply to your own work!
You'll learn how to properly paint colors over a black and white value painting or greyscale painting.

You'll learn that procreate's tools are more powerful than most realize!
You'll learn tons of tips, little-known tricks, and shortcuts for this amazing ipad app.
You'll learn creative ways to use selections, layer masks, filters, adjustments, and a lot more!
You'll learn art techniques you'll be able to immediately apply to your own work!
You'll learn how to properly paint colors over a black and white value painting or greyscale painting.

Syllabus

Getting started!

Course introduction

A brief intro on the instructor, K. Michael Russell. KMR has worked as a comic book color artist since 2012. As of May 2018, he's been published in over seventy comics. He also runs a YouTube channel and online art school dedicated to digital art tutorials.

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what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Uses the grayscale method, which allows beginners to focus on value and contrast before introducing color, simplifying the learning process

Includes the Procreate file used throughout the course, allowing students to examine the layer structure and learn from a practical example

Provides several stages of the exercise as downloadable content, enabling learners to jump in at various points and follow along at their own pace

Focuses on Procreate, a specific digital art app for iPad, which may not be accessible to learners who use other software or devices

Teaches tips, tricks, and shortcuts within Procreate, which can help users work more efficiently and discover hidden functionalities within the software

Taught by an Image Comics color artist since 2012, who can share real-world experience and insights from the comic book industry

Reviews summary

Procreate grayscale to color painting guide

According to learners, this course offers a highly effective step-by-step method for digital painting in Procreate, specifically focusing on the grayscale-to-color technique. Students frequently praise the instructor's clear explanations and patient teaching style, finding the lessons easy to follow even for beginners. The course provides a solid foundation in understanding values before adding color, which many found helped improve their work significantly. Reviewers highlight the inclusion of useful tips and shortcuts for Procreate and appreciate the downloadable project files. The overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many feeling they saw a significant improvement in their digital painting skills.

Emphasizes core art principles like value.

"The course doesn't just teach Procreate; it teaches fundamental art principles through it."

"Focusing on value first is a brilliant approach and improved my understanding of light."

"Solidified my understanding of value and contrast."

"It's not just a tutorial; it teaches you *why* certain techniques work."

"Helped reinforce my understanding of how light interacts with form."

Learned valuable app shortcuts and features.

"Picked up a lot of useful Procreate tips and shortcuts I didn't know before."

"The sections on specific Procreate tools like layer masks were very informative."

"Learned how to use Procreate features in creative and effective ways."

"The tips and tricks shared throughout the course are practical and saved me time."

"Gained confidence using various Procreate tools."

Downloadable files aid learning greatly.

"Having the Procreate file to look through the layers was incredibly helpful."

"The downloadable sketches and files are a huge bonus."

"Being able to work alongside the instructor using the provided files enhanced the learning."

"Appreciated being able to see the project at different stages via the downloads."

"The supplemental content is well-chosen and very useful."

Accessible and helpful for new Procreate users.

"As a complete beginner to Procreate, this course was exactly what I needed."

"Highly recommended for anyone just starting out with digital painting or Procreate."

"It assumes no prior knowledge of Procreate, which was great for me."

"Helped me get comfortable with Procreate's tools very quickly."

"The step-by-step approach is ideal for beginners."

Instructor explains complex topics simply.

"The instructor explains everything clearly and logically, making it easy to follow along."

"Kurt is a fantastic teacher. His pace is perfect, and he explains the 'why' behind the techniques."

"His explanations are so easy to understand, even for someone new to digital painting."

"Patient and thorough explanations. I never felt lost."

"I appreciate how the instructor breaks down the process into manageable steps."

Provides a solid method for painting value first.

"The grayscale method taught in this course is a game changer for understanding values."

"Painting in grayscale first really helped me focus on light and shadow without worrying about color."

"This course's method makes the transition from values to color feel much less intimidating."

"The techniques shown for grayscale painting made it simple and effective to build a strong base."

"I finally understand how to use values properly thanks to this course."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Digital Painting w/ Procreate Guide | Grayscale method with these activities:

Brush Control Exercises

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Practice basic brush strokes and control in Procreate to improve line quality and shading accuracy before starting the course.

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Practice drawing straight lines and curves.
Experiment with different brush sizes and opacities.
Try shading simple shapes using only brush pressure.

Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter

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Study color theory and light principles to better understand how to apply color effectively in digital painting.

View Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara (Calla Editions) on Amazon

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Read chapters on color temperature and light direction.
Analyze paintings by master artists, noting their use of color and light.
Experiment with applying these principles in Procreate.

Value Scale Practice

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Practice creating smooth value scales in Procreate to improve understanding of light and shadow.

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Create a new canvas in Procreate.
Use a soft brush to create a gradient from black to white.
Divide the gradient into distinct value steps.
Repeat the exercise, focusing on even transitions.

Four other activities

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Dynamic Light and Shade

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Study the principles of light and shadow to enhance the realism and drama of your digital paintings.

View Melania on Amazon

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Read chapters on different lighting scenarios.
Analyze how light and shadow are used in your favorite paintings.
Experiment with applying these principles in Procreate.

Grayscale Painting Challenge

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Create a complete grayscale painting in Procreate to solidify understanding of value and contrast.

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Choose a reference image.
Create a sketch based on the reference.
Paint the image in grayscale, focusing on accurate values.
Share your painting and get feedback.

Advanced Procreate Techniques

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Explore advanced Procreate tutorials to learn new techniques and workflows for digital painting.

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Search for tutorials on specific Procreate features.
Follow along with the tutorial, practicing each step.
Adapt the techniques to your own painting style.

Personal Digital Painting Project

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Apply the grayscale method to a personal digital painting project to solidify learning and develop your own style.

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Choose a subject and create a detailed sketch.
Paint the image in grayscale, focusing on accurate values and contrast.
Apply color using the techniques learned in the course.
Refine the details and polish the final image.

Career center

Learners who complete The Digital Painting w/ Procreate Guide | Grayscale method will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Digital Painter

Digital painters create artwork using digital tools and software, often mimicking traditional painting techniques. This course is extremely helpful for a digital painter and may assist in learning an efficient grayscale-to-color workflow using Procreate. The course provides a step-by-step guide through the entire process, from initial sketch to final polish. Digital painters often learn tricks to streamline their workflow through the use of software. Techniques in selection, layering, filters, and adjustments may be transferrable to other software, such as Photoshop. Anyone looking to grow as a digital painter may find this course quite useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Painter

Comic Book Artist

A comic book artist visually tells stories through sequential art, often working with writers and editors to create compelling narratives. This digital painting course focusing on the grayscale method directly aligns with the workflow of many comic book artists, particularly those who work in color. The course, which is taught by an experienced Image Comics artist, focuses on creating a strong foundation in value and contrast before introducing color. This is an essential skill for comic book artists, as they must create dynamic and visually appealing panels. Practicing painting shadow values, light, and color, while adding details and making corrections, helps develop a well-rounded skillset. In addition, the Procreate tips, tricks, and shortcuts shared in this course may be particularly beneficial.

See salaries and explore the career path for Comic Book Artist

Illustrator

Illustrators create visual representations for various media, including books, magazines, websites, and advertising. This digital painting course, teaching a grayscale-to-color method in Procreate, provides skills that are directly applicable to illustration. The course's step-by-step approach, covering sketching, value painting, and color application, perfectly mirrors the workflow of many illustrators. Learning to focus on value and contrast is key to creating impactful illustrations, and the course will make it easier to select colors that work well together. You will also avoid flat looking colors. The course content focused on detailing and polishing fine details would be extremely helpful for an Illustrator. The Procreate tips and tricks may also improve efficiency.

See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator

Concept Artist

Concept artists create visual representations of ideas for various projects, including video games, films, and animation. The grayscale method taught in this Procreate course builds a solid foundation for concept art development. Concept artists often start with grayscale sketches to establish form and value before adding color. This course will make it easier to focus on value and contrast before worrying about color. The course's emphasis on sketching, lighting, and rendering techniques aligns well with the core skills needed for concept art. The course content focused on adding polish and details would be extremely helpful for a concept artist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Concept Artist

Character Designer

Character designers develop the visual appearance of characters for various media, including animation, video games, and illustration. This course helps character designers learn the grayscale method to establish form, value, and lighting before applying color. The course's lessons on sketching, shading, and adding details are directly applicable to character design. The course teaches you how to focus on value and contrast first. You will also be able to avoid flat looking colors. The Procreate tips and tricks shared in this course would be beneficial to any character designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Character Designer

Storyboard Artist

Storyboard artists create visual representations of scenes for film, television, and animation. This course, focused on digital painting in Procreate, can help storyboard artists create compelling and visually clear storyboards. Storyboard artists must create artwork at a rapid pace, and this course teaches you how to focus on value and contrast first. The course's focus on sketching, shading, and lighting would be beneficial to any storyboard artist. The streamlined workflow taught in this course may be helpful in speeding up the whole storyboard process.

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Texture Artist

Texture artists create the surface details and visual properties of 3D models for video games, film, and animation. This digital painting course, focused on grayscale-to-color conversion in Procreate, can help texture artists create realistic and visually appealing textures. Developing a strong foundation in value is essential for creating convincing textures. The course's emphasis on lighting, shading, and detail work directly applies to the texture creation process. The course content focused on adding color details and making things shine would be extremely helpful for a texture artist.

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Visual Development Artist

Visual development artists contribute to the overall look and feel of animated films, video games, and other visual media. This digital painting course focused on the grayscale method in Procreate may help visual development artists establish a strong foundation for their work. Visual development artists often create concept paintings, environment designs, and character designs, all of which benefit from a solid understanding of value, lighting, and color. The course may help you focus on value and contrast, and select colors that work well together. The Procreate tips and tricks may also improve overall workflow efficiency.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Development Artist

Animator

Animators create the illusion of movement by designing sequences of images. This course may help animators create character designs, background paintings, and visual effects. As the course emphasizes sketching, value painting, and color application, an animator may find that this course expands their knowledge and skillset. This knowledge may in turn help an animator produce better work. Even though this course does not teach animation directly, an animator may find the bonus lecture helpful.

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Animation Artist

Animation artists create moving images through various techniques, including digital painting. This digital painting course focusing on Procreate may help animation artists enhance their skills in character design, background painting, and visual storytelling. The course's emphasis on sketching, value painting, and color application is directly relevant to the animation process. Animation artists may find the tips and tricks shared in this course particularly useful.

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Graphic Designer

Graphic designers create visual concepts to communicate information for various media, including websites, logos, and marketing materials. This digital painting course, demonstrating grayscale to color methods, may help graphic designers expand their skillset and incorporate digital painting techniques into their designs. Working with selections, layer masks, filters, and adjustments can be useful in creating a variety of graphical elements. The course's emphasis on the creation of thumbnail sketches may provide an extra dimension to graphic design.

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Motion Graphics Designer

Motion graphics designers create animated visual content for various media, including television commercials, film titles, and website animations. This course on digital painting using Procreate may help motion graphics designers create visually appealing elements and backgrounds for their animations. The course's emphasis on color, lighting, and detail work may be useful in enhancing the overall aesthetic of motion graphics projects. Working with selections, layer masks, filters, and adjustments may assist in graphical elements creation.

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Web Designer

Web designers create the visual layout and user interface of websites. This digital painting course may help web designers create custom graphics, illustrations, and backgrounds for websites. The course's emphasis on sketching, color, and detail work may be useful in enhancing the visual appeal of web designs. Working with selections, layer masks, filters, and adjustments can be useful in creating web assets and content. The Procreate tips and tricks may increase efficiency.

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Game Designer

Game designers create the concepts, rules, and content of video games. While primarily focused on game mechanics and systems, game designers may benefit from understanding visual design principles. This digital painting course may help game designers create concept art, character sketches, and environment designs to communicate their ideas to the art team. The course can help a game designer visualize the appearance and setting of their game. Although a game designer does not directly paint the assets within the game, they may want to learn Procreate's tips, tricks, and shortcuts.

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Art Director

Art directors oversee the visual style and images for various projects, including magazines, advertising campaigns, and film productions. While this role often involves managing other artists, having a strong understanding of digital painting techniques can be beneficial. This course may help art directors gain a deeper appreciation for the artistic process and communicate more effectively with their team. An art director will benefit from learning tips, tricks, and shortcuts for Procreate, which may enhance their communication with team members.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Digital Painting w/ Procreate Guide | Grayscale method.

Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara

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Must-read for any digital painter, especially those using the grayscale method. It provides a comprehensive understanding of color theory and how light interacts with surfaces. Gurney's clear explanations and illustrative examples make complex concepts accessible, helping artists create more realistic and vibrant paintings. It expands on the course's color application techniques.

Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara (Calla Editions)

Hardcover

Grayscale method

What's inside

Learning objectives

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Reviews summary

Procreate grayscale to color painting guide

Activities

Career center

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