Digital painting can feel like learning an entirely new language even for artists who already understand drawing, value, color, composition, and traditional painting. However, with the right guidance, an app like Procreate can become a powerful extension of the skills they already have.

This class is designed to help traditionally trained artists make that transition.

I first came to Procreate as a classically trained oil painter, so I know first hand how much of a learning curve there can be when moving from physical materials to a digital canvas. Procreate gives artists an incredible amount of freedom, but knowing which tools to use, knowing where to find them, is just as important as knowing where and when not to use them.

The goal is not to replace traditional painting, but to expand your visual vocabulary and give you another medium through which to develop your ideas and artistic practice.

Class Structure

Part 1: Examples
We will begin by looking at examples of artwork I’ve created in Procreate and exploring how traditional painting principles can be translated into a digital environment. Students will learn the fundamental tools of the program, along with the tips and shortcuts I wish I had known when I first started using Procreate.

Part 2: Intro to Procreate
Students will learn how the principles of traditional painting translate into Procreate, including drawing, value, color, edges, composition, and rendering. We’ll also look at where the digital medium behaves similarly to traditional paint and where it requires an entirely different approach.

Procreate Fundamentals: An introduction to the Procreate interface and the tools most useful for painters, including:
Layers and adjustment layers
Lasso and Transform tools
Color Picker and color management
Brushes and brush settings
Efficient layer organization
Tips and shortcuts for a faster workflow
Which tools to rely on, and which can become a crutch
Students will also receive a custom brush pack to use throughout the course, which I will provide.

Part 3: Live demos
Watch the entire process unfold in real time, from the initial idea to a finished painting.
Demonstrations may include:
Finding and organizing references
Thumbnailing and sketching
Developing a composition
Choosing colors
Blocking in values
Rendering and refining
Using Procreate's tools efficiently
Troubleshooting common digital painting problems

As the class progresses, demonstrations can also become more individualized, allowing instruction to respond to the needs of each student.

Part 4: Sketch & Style Practice
Once students have an understanding of the program, we’ll begin putting those tools into practice.

Students can select a reference of their own choosing, or work from one provided by the instructor. Rather than immediately committing to a long painting, we’ll create quick, loose thumbnails (mainly in monochrome) to explore different approaches to the image.

This exercise is designed to make students comfortable with the tools while developing
their ability to work quickly and make decisions.

I’ll be checking in throughout the process to help students understand the new tool.

Part 5: Master copy
The next stage brings the principles of classical painting into the digital medium.

Students may choose a master painting that interests them, or select one with guidance from the instructor. Depending on the student's experience, the drawing can be created using a grid or freehand.

The initial drawing can be completed digitally or traditionally. Students who prefer to draw traditionally can simply photograph or scan their drawing and bring it into the iPad to continue working.

From there, students will color match and begin reconstructing the painting in Procreate.

Rather than simply copying an image, the goal is to use the medium of Procreate effectively while also practicing traditional art practices.

Throughout the process, I’ll demonstrate ways to streamline the digital workflow and help students avoid unnecessary steps.

When appropriate, I may also paint directly over a student's work (on a different file/layer) to demonstrate a particular solution, or provide an additional live demonstration based on what the student is struggling with.

Part 6: Creative work
Once students have developed a foundation with the program and completed studies, they can begin applying those skills to their own ideas.

Bring an idea, sketch, collection of references, or even just a starting point. Together, we’ll work through the process of:
Refining the concept
Gathering and organizing references
Developing the composition
Adjusting the sketch
Establishing color and value
Developing the painting
Identifying problems and finding solutions
Refining the final image

Individual critiques and paint-overs will allow students to see how I would approach their particular piece. Students can then take those demonstrations back into their own work and continue developing the painting.

This process can repeat from week to week until the student feels that the painting has reached its intended finish. The goal of this project is to help students create work that aligns with their own creative vision, even when they may not yet have the skills or developed eye to fully realize that vision on their own.