PAINT A SNAPPY BOT IN PROCREATE

Learn the basics of Procreate with this beginner's guide to making your own futuristic automaton by Jim Rowden

- Jim Rowden

Are you interested in experimenting with digital art, or trying out a new artistic tool? Check out Procreate on the iPad! A year ago, I decided to delve into Procreate and, after a few false starts, have been using it nearly every day. In that time, I have grown from a raw beginner to a truly capable digital artist.

Here I will demonstrate how I create a robot illustration. I'll cover my process, from doodling in a cheap sketchbook, transitioning to Procreate, to painting and applying finishes. I'll discuss selection masks, shading, colouring, texturing, and adding those all-important final details. For this tutorial, I am assuming that the reader is new to the app, and will supply ground-level information that you will need to get up and running. If you're a seasoned pro, perhaps you'll still find a tidbit or two that you can use. 

You will need an iPad, the Procreate app, and an Apple Pencil. It helps to know some basic anatomy if you want your bot to have human proportions. I recommend a willingness to hold loosely to your ideas, so that you can scrap ones that aren't working, and move on with a desire to experiment and find those 'happy accidents'.

In the end, I hope you find the app less intimidating, gain some knowledge, and create some cool art!

1 Old-school doodling 

I don't start my process digitally. Using a cheap sketchbook, I draw A LOT of doodles, until I find one I can work with. I keep the doodles small and quick (less than five minutes each). If one sucks, I move on. I experiment with shapes, shadows, and line work. Tip: Carry your sketchbook everywhere. If you have downtime, pull that thing out and throw down some lines.

2 Time to go digital