The role of storytelling in my Procreate illustrations.

For me, illustration has never been just about making a pretty picture. It’s about telling a story — whether that story is big and bold, like an epic adventure, or small and quiet, like a child and their favourite toy. Even when I’m working digitally in Procreate, that focus on storytelling is at the heart of everything I create.

Why Storytelling Matters in Illustration

Stories give illustrations meaning. They help the viewer connect, linger, and imagine what happens next. A character’s expression, a detail in the background, or the colour palette of a scene can all hint at a bigger narrative. When I illustrate, I’m always thinking: What’s the story here? What emotion do I want the viewer to feel?

Procreate as a Tool

Procreate is full of features that make storytelling easier for illustrators. A few ways I use it:

• Layers as story elements
  I often separate characters, props, and backgrounds into different layers. This lets me experiment with how they interact — almost like moving pieces around a stage set until the story feels right.

• Brushes for atmosphere
  The right brush can set the mood instantly. A soft textured brush for fog, bold inky lines for drama, or a playful crayon brush for a whimsical feel. Each choice adds to the tone of the story.

• Colour as emotion
  Procreate’s colour tools help me shift the mood of an illustration with ease. I might try warm tones for a cosy bedtime story or cooler hues for a mysterious adventure.

• Timelapse playback
  One of my favourite features is Procreate’s timelapse. Watching the drawing unfold is like seeing the story being written in real time — and it’s a wonderful way to share process and narrative with others.

Finding Stories in Everyday Drawings

Even when I’m doodling or experimenting, I find little stories creeping in. A character sketch might suggest a personality. A simple illustrated map might reveal a journey. I’ve learned to lean into those hints and build on them, turning quick sketches into story seeds.

Ready to tell stories?

Storytelling is what transforms my Procreate illustrations from images into experiences. It’s not about being literal — it’s about creating enough detail, mood, and emotion that the viewer feels something and wants to imagine the world beyond the frame.

For me, every brushstroke is part of a bigger narrative. And that’s the magic: even in a digital space, stories are always at the heart of what I create.

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.