Why should you use free procreate pixel brushes?

Free Pixel brushes in Procreate offer a range of benefits that make them a must-have for digital artists:

  1. Unparalleled Precision: With pixel brushes, you have complete control over each pixel, allowing you to create intricate details and clean lines with ease.
  2. Retro Aesthetics: Capture the timeless charm of classic video games, 8-bit graphics, and pixel art in your digital artwork.
  3. Versatility: While pixel brushes are commonly associated with pixel art, they can also be used for various digital art styles, including texture creation, digital illustration, and more.

What are free procreate pixel brushes used for?

These brushes are used for various purposes, including:

  1. Pixel Art: The primary use of Procreate pixel brushes is for creating pixel art. Pixel art is a style of digital art characterized by its blocky, pixelated appearance. Artists use pixel brushes to place individual pixels, giving their artwork a retro and nostalgic aesthetic.
  2. Retro and Nostalgic Art: Pixel brushes are perfect for recreating the look and feel of classic video games, 8-bit graphics, and other retro-inspired artwork. They are often used to evoke feelings of nostalgia.
  3. Game Development: Game designers and developers use Procreate pixel brushes to design characters, sprites, backgrounds, and tilesets for 2D games. Pixel art is a popular choice for indie game development due to its simplicity and charm. Discover more about creating pixel art in Procreate in our tutorial “Can I Do Pixel Art in Procreate?”.
  4. Icon and Logo Design: Pixel brushes are suitable for creating icons and logos, especially for projects that require a distinctive and recognizable style.
  5. Texture Creation: Artists use pixel brushes to create various textures, such as stone, wood, or metal, that can be applied to 3D models in game design or digital illustration.
  6. Digital Illustration: While pixel brushes are commonly associated with pixel art, they can also be used in digital illustration to add specific details or textures to artworks, providing a unique style.
  7. Storyboarding and Animation: Some artists use pixel brushes to create storyboards and frame-by-frame animations, achieving a retro animation look.
  8. Emulating Traditional Media: Pixel brushes can mimic the look of traditional art media, such as chalk, charcoal, or crayon. They offer digital artists the ability to create art with a handcrafted appearance.
  9. Pattern and Background Design: Pixel brushes can be used to create intricate patterns and backgrounds for various design projects, including websites, user interfaces, and graphic design.
  10. Educational and Learning Tools: Pixel art and pixel brushes are often used in educational settings to teach digital art concepts, graphic design, and basic programming for game development.

For anyone aiming to boost their pixel art game, mastering how to choose a color palette for pixel art is key.

If you’re looking to refine your pixel art technique, explore how to add intricate details or smoothen edges with our guide on how to add pixel blur in Procreate. And if you’re wondering what you might draw with these tools, consider exploring ideas on what should I draw for pixel art in Procreate.

Types of Free Procreate pixel brushes

In our Procreate Pixel Brushes category, you’ll discover an array of brushes tailored to suit different artistic needs:

  1. Square Brushes: Ideal for pixel-by-pixel designs, square brushes are perfect for adding fine details and precise shapes to your artwork.
  2. Dithering Brushes: Master smooth transitions and gradients in your pixel art with dithering brushes, creating a seamless blend of colors.
  3. Shading Brushes: Add depth and dimension to your artwork with shading brushes, allowing you to create realistic shadows and highlights.
  4. Texture Brushes: Simulate various textures, from gritty to smooth, to give your artwork a tactile feel. Experiment with different textures for unique effects.

How do you get pixel effect in procreate?

To achieve a pixel art effect in Procreate, you can follow these steps:

  • Create a New Canvas:Open Procreate and create a new canvas. Choose a small canvas size to work at a pixelated scale, such as 32×32 pixels or 64×64 pixels, depending on your preference.
  • Enable the Grid:Go to the “Actions” menu, select “Canvas,” and then toggle on “Drawing Guide.” Choose “Edit Drawing Guide” and enable the “Grid” option. Adjust the grid size to match your canvas dimensions.
  • Pixelate Your Art:Use the default Procreate brush or a pixel brush to create your artwork. Paint or draw within the grid cells, placing individual pixels for your design. Use a limited color palette to maintain the pixel art aesthetic.
  • Zoom In for Precision:Zoom in on your canvas to work with greater precision, allowing you to place pixels accurately and create intricate details.
  • Consider Pixel Art Techniques:Apply common pixel art techniques such as dithering (using patterns to create shades and textures), anti-aliasing (smoothing edges), and using a limited color palette to enhance the pixel art effect.
  • Layer Management:Organize your artwork into layers for better control. Use separate layers for different elements or effects.
  • Export and Save:Once you’ve completed your pixel art, export the image in the desired format, such as PNG, to preserve the pixelation and use it in your projects or share it with others. For more tips on preserving your pixel art’s quality, check out our guide on how do you save pixel art without blurring in Procreate.

How to sharpen pixels in Procreate?

To sharpen pixels in Procreate:

  1. Zoom in on your pixel art.
  2. Use the eraser tool or brush tool with a small size and hard edge.
  3. Carefully edit and refine individual pixels to create sharper lines and details.

How to upscale pixel art in procreate without blurring?

To upscale pixel art in Procreate without blurring:

  1. Open your pixel art project.
  2. Go to “Canvas” > “Canvas Information.”
  3. Increase the canvas dimensions (width and height) while keeping the pixel size consistent.
  4. Use the “Nearest Neighbor” resampling method to maintain the pixelated look.
  5. Adjust your artwork to fit the new canvas size.
  6. Export or save your upscaled pixel art.