Drawing on the iPad with Procreate: My Go-To Tips
When I first started using Procreate on the iPad, I wasn’t sure it would ever replace my sketchbooks and piles of coloured pencils. But it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with it—now it’s one of the tools I use every single day as an illustrator. It’s portable, powerful, and honestly makes drawing feel fun and easy. If you’ve been thinking about diving in, here are a few things I’ve learned along the way.
Choosing the Right iPad
I get asked all the time: “Do I need the fanciest iPad to use Procreate?” The short answer is no. Procreate works across all current iPads, but the best experience comes down to two things—processing power and screen size.
I personally use the iPad Pro because I like the bigger canvas and smoother performance when I’m working with lots of layers. If you’re just starting out, though, the iPad Air (paired with the 2nd gen Apple Pencil) is a brilliant choice. It’s lighter, more affordable, and still runs Procreate beautifully.
I’d only go for the base model iPad if you’re testing the waters or want something more casual.
The main thing is to make sure it works with an Apple Pencil—because honestly, that’s the game changer!
Layers Are Your Best Friend
One of the best things about Procreate is the ability to use layers. If you’re coming from traditional drawing, think of them like tracing paper—except a million times more useful.
I’ll often rough out a sketch on one layer, drop the opacity, and then draw cleaner line work on top. Backgrounds, shadows, and textures each get their own layers too. This makes it super easy to edit one element without messing up everything else. And yes, you can have a lot of layers—though the exact number depends on the size of your canvas and your iPad’s power. (Another reason I lean toward the Pro!)
My tip? Group your layers as you go. Otherwise, you’ll end up with “Layer 47” and no idea what’s hiding there.
Brushes: Using and Making Your Own
Procreate’s default brushes are great. You can sketch, paint, blend, and texture without downloading a single extra thing. But one of the real joys of the app is making your own brushes—or downloading custom ones from other artists.
When I started, I used mostly the inking and pencil brushes, because they felt closest to what I was used to. Then I discovered how easy it was to tweak them—adjusting the grain, pressure, or texture until it felt just right. Now I have a little library of custom brushes that I use constantly, including some that mimic watercolour, chalk, or even stickers.
If you’re curious, start by duplicating an existing brush and playing with the settings. You really can’t break anything, and sometimes the “happy accidents” turn into your favourite tools.
Why I Love It
For me, the iPad + Procreate combo isn’t just about convenience (though being able to draw anywhere, from the couch to a café, is amazing). It’s about flexibility. I can experiment endlessly without wasting paper, undo a line instantly, or test colour palettes in a way that feels freeing.
It hasn’t replaced traditional art for me—it’s more like it’s expanded my toolkit. And if you’re even a little bit curious about digital drawing, I’d say give it a go.
You might be surprised at just how natural it feels!
Hey, there! I’m Jasmine Berry, a freelance illustrator based in sunny Perth, Western Australia. Most days you’ll find me sketching away on my iPad or surrounded by pencils and cats, chasing new ideas. I like to think of myself as eternally optimistic—always seeing the fun, the colour, and the possibility in every project I take on. Send me a message if you would like to collaborate on a project.