Procreate: Digital Art Tools, Techniques, and Why It’s Changing Art Making

When you open Procreate, a powerful digital painting app built for the iPad that lets artists draw, paint, and illustrate with professional-grade tools. It’s not just software—it’s a studio in your hand. Unlike clunky desktop programs, Procreate responds like real paint, with brushes that mimic watercolor, oil, and charcoal. You don’t need a fancy drawing tablet or a high-end PC. Just an iPad and your hand.

What makes Procreate stand out isn’t just the brushes—it’s how it connects to real art practice. Artists use it for sketching ideas, finishing full illustrations, designing logos, and even teaching classes. It’s the go-to tool for illustrators who want speed without sacrificing control. Many of the same people who once struggled with oil paint’s slow drying time now turn to Procreate to layer colors instantly. And it’s not just for pros. Beginners love it because there’s no setup, no cleanup, and no wasted paper. The undo button? It’s your best friend.

Procreate doesn’t work alone. It’s part of a bigger shift in how art is made. Digital art, art created using digital technology, often on tablets or computers, with tools like styluses and software. Also known as tablet art, it’s now accepted in galleries, sold as NFTs, and printed as fine art. Procreate is the bridge between traditional techniques and modern tools. You can still learn the same rules—foreground, middle ground, background—but now you do it with layers and undo. You can experiment with color mixing without wasting paint. And if you mess up? Just tap once.

It’s also tied to the rise of iPad art, the practice of creating artwork specifically using Apple’s iPad and apps like Procreate. Also known as mobile digital art, it’s become a movement because it’s portable, affordable, and instantly shareable. Artists in Pembrokeshire are using it to sketch coastal scenes during lunch breaks. Students are finishing assignments on buses. Freelancers are pitching clients with live demos. You don’t need a studio. You just need to start.

People ask if digital art is real art. The answer isn’t about the tool—it’s about the intention. Procreate doesn’t make you an artist. But it removes the barriers that used to stop people from trying. You can learn how to paint realistic landscapes, test color palettes like Van Gogh’s, or design a poster for an exhibition—all without buying a single brush or tube of paint. The tools are here. The learning is free. And the results? They’re hanging in homes, online galleries, and even museums.

Below, you’ll find real guides on what works and what doesn’t. From whether you even need a tablet to how Procreate stacks up against other digital tools, these posts cut through the noise. You’ll learn what to buy, what to skip, and how to start making art that feels like yours—no matter where you are.