Managing Procreate Perfectionism in Your Creative Projects
If you’re a Procreate artist like me, you probably know the feeling: staring at a blank canvas (or a nearly finished illustration) and thinking, “It’s not perfect yet.” Perfectionism can be a sneaky creativity killer — it makes us tweak endlessly, procrastinate, or even abandon projects altogether. Over the years, I’ve learned a few strategies to keep perfectionism in check while still creating work I’m proud of.
Embrace “Process Over Product”
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to focus on the process, not the end result. Procreate makes it easy to experiment, erase, and layer endlessly. That’s wonderful — but it can also tempt us into overworking a piece. I remind myself: the learning, the play, the sketches are just as valuable as the final illustration.
Set Boundaries
It’s easy to endlessly tweak every layer, colour, and line. I now set self-imposed boundaries: maybe I allow only three rounds of changes per illustration or limit editing time to an hour. This helps me move forward and finish projects without getting stuck in a loop.
Separate Sketches from Final Work
Perfectionism often starts in the sketch stage. I’ve learned to treat sketches as very rough, playful explorations, not mini masterpieces. Procreate’s layers and grouping tools make it easy to separate rough sketches from polished layers. I love to create a new document to do my finals. This mental distinction frees me to experiment without fear.
Get into the sandpit
Sometimes a wobbly line, an unexpected brush mark, or a slightly off proportion adds character to a piece. I remind myself that perfect isn’t always better — imperfections can give illustrations personality and charm.
Use Time-Limited Challenges
I often participate in prompts or challenges with strict deadlines, like Inktober or Kidlitart drawing prompts. Having a time limit forces me to finish work and focus on creativity rather than nitpicking every detail. It’s a great way to practice letting go.
Step Away and Return
If I’m obsessing over a detail in Procreate, I step away for a break. A walk, a cup of coffee, or even a day away from the canvas often brings clarity. Returning with fresh eyes helps me see what’s actually important — and what can be left as is.
Remember Why You Create
Finally, I remind myself why I create in the first place: for joy, for storytelling, for play. Losing sight of that in pursuit of “perfect” takes the fun out of it. When I reconnect with the purpose behind my work, perfectionism naturally takes a backseat.
Perfectionism will always whisper in a Procreate artist’s ear — but it doesn’t have to control your creativity. By focusing on process, setting boundaries, celebrating imperfections, and staying connected to why you draw, you can manage perfectionism while still producing illustrations you’re proud of.
The real magic happens when you let yourself finish, even if it’s not flawless.
Image from ‘Verity Finds her Voice’ From EK books 2025.
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.