Your First Drawing 2026
Okay, so if you’ve never opened Procreate before, or maybe you did and then panicked and closed it again, this is the tutorial you’ve been waiting for. We’re starting right at the beginning, like fresh-out-the-box beginning. You’ll set up a custom canvas, get comfy with layers, learn all those magical tools (like alpha lock, clipping masks, and selection tricks), and in the process? You’ll create a stunning, misty landscape that’s so pretty you’ll want to frame it. It’s super beginner-friendly, totally pressure-free, and yes, you’ll absolutely feel proud when you’re done. Let’s make something beautiful together!
Brushes used:
- Ringaroona
- Forester
- Jagger
- Rainforest
- Winkly
- Lichen
Canvas Size:
- 2300 x 3000 pixels
Skills Learned:
- Alpha Lock + Clipping Masks = Your New Best Friends
These tools let you paint inside the lines (without actually trying). Perfect for gradients, textures, and staying super tidy. - Making Soft, Dreamy Gradients
From skies to hills to water, you’ll learn how to blend colors like a pro using Gaussian Blur and soft brushes (hello, misty vibes). - Using Layers Like a Procreate Pro
You’ll stack, group, rename, and organize layers like a total boss. Plus, some sneaky tips for when your iPad yells at you for using too many. - Selections + Transform = Ultimate Control
Whether it’s drawing a water section or flipping your reflection perfectly, the selection and transform tools help you place everything just right. - Quick Shapes, Drawing Guides + Masks
Make perfect circles, horizontal water lines, and paint with precision using assist, quick shape, and layer masks, all non-destructive and totally magic.
Kawaii Christmas Tree
In this tutorial, we’re going to create the cutest kawaii-style Christmas tree ever, chunky, cheerful, and full of festive charm. We’ll keep things playful and relaxed while using some of Procreate’s lovely new brushes from the latest update. Whether you’re drawing to unwind or just in the mood for something joyful, this is going to be such a fun one to follow along with!
Brushes used:
- Velleia
- Night Heron
- Wapping
- Goshawk
- Shearwater
- Philosopher Falls
Canvas Size:
- 3500 x 3500 pixels
Key Skills Learned:
- How to use symmetry for quick and balanced shapes
We’ll turn on vertical symmetry right at the start to make shaping the tree super easy. One side draws the other, such a satisfying shortcut! - How to add soft texture with alpha lock
You’ll use alpha lock with textured brushes to paint light and shadow, giving your tree that lovely chunky depth without messing up the shape. - How to make your lights glow with Bloom and blur
We’ll layer on string lights and sparkles, then use Bloom and Gaussian Blur to make them pop with a soft magical glow. - How to build up simple details for a rich look
From mossy ground to leafy shapes, you’ll layer in fun little elements that bring charm to the scene without overwhelming your tree.
Stylized Santa
Ready to draw something super cute and festive? In this fun and beginner-friendly tutorial, we’re creating a stylized Santa in Procreate, step by step! You don’t need any experience at all; I’ll guide you through everything from the basic shapes to adding those cozy textures that really bring your illustration to life. We’ll keep it simple, playful, and totally stress-free. By the end, you’ll have your own adorable Santa and maybe even a new favorite way to add shading and texture in Procreate!
Brushes used:
- Monoline
- Studio Pen
- Spackle it Brush
Canvas Size:
- 2300 x 3000 pixels
Skills Learned:
- Shaping with Liquify
Use the Push tool to sculpt your shapes into soft, friendly form, like our bean-shaped Santa face! - Layering with Clipping Masks
Keep things neat and easy by working on separate layers and using clipping masks to add color right where you want it. - Texturing with the Spackle Brush
Add that lovely grainy texture to clothes, the beard, and even the background to really make your Santa pop. - Shading with Alpha Lock
Use Alpha Lock to paint soft shadows and highlights that stay perfectly inside your shapes, so satisfying! - Adding personality with little details
From rosy cheeks to a cozy hat fold, learn how to bring charm and warmth into your illustration with simple touches.
Building a Snowman
With winter creeping in, I thought it’d be fun to cozy up with a winter-themed illustration. We’re drawing a super cute scene, a happy little snowman built by a sweet stylized family. The whole vibe is very gentle and simple, perfect if you’re looking for a relaxed drawing session. We start with a loose sketch, build up our flat colors, and then gently layer in texture using some of my favorite charcoal brushes. The color palette? Soft oranges and greens, very cozy, very calm. Just like a warm cup of tea on a chilly day.
Brushes used:
- Basic Sketcher
- Studio Pen
- Underwood
- Florentine
- Nut Grove
Canvas Size:
- 2300 x 3000 pixels
Key Skills Learned:
- Building stylized characters with simple shapes
We use ovals, cones, and rectangles to sketch charming little figures, each with their own personality, without overcomplicating things. - Keeping your layers tidy (and your sanity intact)
By grouping elements cleverly and reusing layers where it makes sense, you save layer space and keep things nice and organized. - Flat coloring with intention
Using reference sketch layers and drag-and-drop fills, we lay down our base colors carefully, always thinking ahead for textures later. - Adding soft texture with charcoal brushes
We alpha lock everything and use the Underwood and Florentine brushes to add that lovely, grainy feel that makes everything warm and handmade. - Using an analogous palette for a calm feel
All our colors sit close together on the wheel: greens, soft browns, oranges. So nothing feels too loud. It keeps the whole piece really serene and soothing.
Christmas Elf
Let’s create this adorable little Christmas elf together in Procreate! In this cozy and beginner-friendly tutorial, I’ll walk you through every step, from the first sketch to adding texture and even turning your elf into a cute sticker. You’ll learn some handy tricks along the way and, of course, we’ll have lots of fun doing it. So let’s get started!
Brushes used:
- Bruny
- Studio Pen
- Nut Grove
- Molesworth
- Dusky
Canvas Size:
- 2500 x 2500 pixels
Skills Learned:
- How to sketch with symmetry for easier character building
We use the Drawing Guide with Symmetry turned on so that whatever you draw on one side, magically appears on the other, so helpful for keeping things neat! - Adding clean flat colors with layer control
You’ll learn how to work with clipping masks, drawing assist, and a tidy layer structure so your colors stay right where they should be. - Creating soft shadows and textured highlights
Using the Nut Grove brush and alpha lock, we add shading and light that brings our little elf to life, all while keeping that nice soft, textured look. - Finishing touches that make everything pop
We add in sweet details like stitches, little lines, and pattern accents using the Dusky pencil brush, these tiny things make a big difference! - A fun sticker effect using blur and layers
I’ll show you how to make that lovely glow and drop shadow behind your elf so it looks like a real sticker—great for printing or sharing online.
Cute Polar Bear
In this super easy, step-by-step Procreate tutorial, you’ll learn how to draw your very own cute little polar bear, perfect for beginners or anyone who just wants to relax and create something fluffy. We start with a soft wintery background, then build up our bear layer by layer, adding texture, shading, and those tiny details that bring it all to life. Along the way, I’ll share tips on fur, light, and how to keep your snow looking magical (hint: skip the pure white!). Let’s jump in and have some fun together!
Brushes used:
- Wakame
- Fortesque
- Bruny
- Bronzewing
- Nowhere Else
- Smudgy Hairbrush
Canvas Size:
- 2500 x 2500 pixels
Skills Learned:
- Adding soft, painterly gradients
Using alpha lock and gentle strokes, we create subtle transitions in both the sky and snowy ground, no harsh whites here! - Sketching characters from simple shapes
We start with blobs and bumps and build a full little polar bear, all while keeping things loose and fun. - Layering light and shadows for depth
We use textured brushes to softly build up our lights and darks, giving the bear a lovely sense of form and fluffiness. - Pulling out fur with smudge magic
Learn how to use the Smudgy Hairbrush to “pull out” the fur and give your bear that fuzzy, snuggly texture, without overdoing it. - Finishing touches that make it pop
From rosy cheeks and tiny claws to snowy specks in the background, we add those final details that bring your scene to life.
Deer in a Forest
In this cozy little tutorial, we’re creating a whimsical fall forest with a sweet stylized deer tucked right in the spotlight. This isn’t about getting everything perfect, it’s all about relaxing, playing with color and texture, and just having fun with your brushes. We start with a loose sketch to set the mood, layer in colorful tree shapes, add some playful patterns, and then bring in our little deer to complete the scene. It’s a gentle, creative process, so no pressure, just enjoy painting something a little magical.
Brushes used:
- Basic Sketcher
- Gatsby
- Lily
- Sanderling
- Soft Brush
Canvas Size:
- 2300 x 3000 pixels
Key Skills Learned:
- Sketching a loose and playful composition
Start off with a light sketch, trees, bushes, and a little deer. Keep it loose and fun, no need for precision here. - Building soft, stylized tree shapes with color harmony
Layer trees from back to front using gentle, matching colors that flow nicely together. Each tree gets its own space and vibe. - Adding textures with clipping masks and hand-drawn patterns
Use light hatching, dots, leafy shapes and lines to give each tree its own personality. It’s all about those small, simple details. - Painting tree trunks and softly fading them into snow
Draw simple, natural trunks and fade the bottoms with the soft brush to make it feel like they’re gently sitting in snow. - Bringing the deer to life with just a few shapes and accents
Keep the deer nice and simple, add soft shadows, a little eye, some dots on the back, and you’re done! Super sweet and easy.
Panther Tattoo
Alright, are you ready to create your own Flotastic Black Panther tattoo in Procreate? In this step-by-step tutorial, we go from the very first circle to a full-blown fierce feline with clean line art, rich textures, and some seriously cool shading tricks. Everything is done using just the built-in Procreate brushes, and I’ve even got a custom color palette ready for you. So grab your iPad, open up that canvas, and let’s make something awesome together!
Brushes used:
- Bruny
- Alpine
- Nutgrove
- Molesworth
Canvas Size:
- 2500 x 2500 pixels
Skills Learned:
- Using symmetry to build a balanced base
You’ll set up the drawing guide and activate symmetry to make sure everything stays nice and even from the very start. - Sketching with confidence from simple shapes
We break the panther down into easy-to-follow forms, using liquify and assist to guide the sketch into something way more dynamic. - Creating line art with bold character
With the Alpine brush, you’ll add those crisp, pressure-sensitive lines that give your design a pro tattoo feel—clean, sharp, and full of flair. - Texturing and shading with built-in brushes
You’ll use layer selections and brushes like Nutgrove to add gritty textures and build up shadows, all while staying inside the lines. - Adding soft highlights with masks
We use layer masks and the Molesworth brush to give edges a soft glow and pull focus to the right spots—without messing up the layer underneath.
Botanical Drawing of a Tulip
In this tulip tutorial, we’re keeping things super simple and fun. I’ll guide you step-by-step through drawing this beautiful, classic Dutch tulip using easy shapes, lovely soft textures, and a relaxed, layered workflow in Procreate. You don’t need to be perfect, just enjoy the process and have fun with your colors and strokes. Let’s create something pretty together!
Brushes used:
- Bruny
- Alpine
- Dusky
Canvas Size:
- 2300 x 3000 pixels
Skills Learned:
- Sketching with confidence
We start with simple shapes, think triangles, diamonds, and a couple of wiggly lines. This makes building the tulip super easy and not overwhelming at all. - Layering for flexibility
I’ll show you how to use layers in a way that keeps things organized, so you can change colors or adjust shapes without messing up your whole drawing. - Flat color fun
We block in each petal, stem, and leaf with flat colors. It doesn’t have to be perfect! A little wobble in your lines gives it that charming, hand-drawn look. - Pencil texture magic
The Dusky brush gives us that lovely colored pencil feel. I’ll show you how to use the side of your Apple Pencil for soft strokes and the tip for sharper detail. - Soft light and shadows
We build up gentle highlights and shading using fan-like strokes, giving your tulip shape and volume while keeping everything light and playful.