For a couple days now I've been asking my sister if I could try Procreate on her Ipad. The other day I finally got the chance while she was out with our mum. I have dabbled a little bit with digital art before. Previously I used Clip Studio Paint, with a drawing tablet (a Huion Kamvas Pro 13), as that is what I had access to. Thankfully when I was dabbling with clip studio I had M, my hubby/nesting partner, to guide me through it. However, the only assistance I had when trying Procreate was the Internet. Which isn't all bad.
First Image:
For this first image I followed a tutorial I had saved on TikTok*. In hindsight this probably wasn't the best idea for my first try. The tutorial didn't explain anything, such as how to do certain things, I guess they expected viewers to have some knowledge of the app already. This is where Google came in quite handy, as I had to look up the things I didnt know how to do. At times I got frustrated. Even so, I persevered and managed to follow along. The end result I created wasn't bad for a first attempt!
Second image:
With the frustration from the first attempt still lingering I decided to draw something all on my own. Using the knowledge I had from dabbling with Clip Studio, along with some help from Google, I created a little mushroom fellow. For some reason I do enjoy drawing mushrooms 😅. At this point I was still learning what Procreate could do, while getting frustrated that it was different from Clip Studio. It feels unfair to compare Clip and Procreate, they are quite different experiences, but Clip is the only other software I have experience with.
Third image:
My next creation was something simple, still trying to get the hang of things. It was quick to do, but I still found myself getting frustrated that I didn't know what I was doing. Once I finished the love heart I decided to take a little break. Only a short one while I let my frustration subside. During my break, drawing was still on my mind, so I took the opportunity to have a browse on YouTube for beginner tutorials.
Fourth Image:
While browsing YouTube I found a tutorial from Art With Flo*. I half expected the tutorial to be somewhat difficult to follow, given my limited experience. However, Flo didn't assume their audience knew what they were doing. It was done in a step by step format, while also telling/showing you where to find the brushes and tools used. This worked quite well for my autistic brain, it was easy to follow. Flo also explained what some of the tools/settings did. Which is helpful for a newbie. Flo had created their own colour pallete for this image. However, since I was using my sisters Ipad I couldn't download their colours. I approximated the colours the best I could.
Overall, I am pleased with the end result. It turned out quite pretty. At this point I was starting to enjoy myself, so I had a look at what other tutorials Flo had to offer.
Fifth Image:
While browsing Flo's other tutorials I saw this cute Boba one*. I thought to myself that I wouldn't be able to draw something as cute as they did. I decided to give it a try anyway. Again the tutorial was easy to follow. This time however, Flo used some of their own brushes which I couldn't access and download due to it not being my Ipad. I did my best to use similar brushes and colours, that I could access, and the end result still turned out pretty good.
I am quite pleased with this one, I didn't expect to be able to create it but it turned out well. Some parts of it look better than others, but that's okay.
Sixth Image:
This image is probably my least favourite of the ones I created. I started following a short tutorial I had found on YouTube*. However, it was harder to follow, didn't explain the steps, and also used different methods to what I was using previously. I stopped the tutorial about half way through, and decided to finish it off on my own. I wasn't really feeling this drawing so I finished it quickly. After this I decided to move back to Flo's tutorials and try a more difficult one for my last creation.
Seventh Image:
I used another of Flo's tutorials for this*. I sadly didn't get to finish this image, so it is missing some cat ears and final details. Again Flo used their own brushes and colour pallete, so I approximated the best I could. It didn't turn out as good as Flo's but I am pleased with it. It had a lot more steps, and was a bit more difficult. I have to hand it to Flo though, they make pretty good tutorials! By this point I wished I could take the Ipad home and carry on a bit more 😅.
I think the eyes on this person turned out pretty well. I do enjoy making cute things it seems. I wish I could have finished it but I'm pleased with it nonetheless.
Final thoughts:
My first experience with Procreate was frustrating, but overall joyful. I think the more I use it the less frustrating it will be. However, it probably will be a little bit until I can get my own Ipad and Procreate. I do hope to get my own in the new year, finances permitting. I will probably follow more of Flo's tutorials until I find my own feet, or until I feel I can follow more difficult tutorials. Perhaps, when I also get my own I can get assistance from my Long Distance Friend who also uses Procreate. I imagine that will be a good way to spend more time with them too.
Sources of tutorials:
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