How To Paint A Still Life in Procreate

Embark on a journey of artistic exploration and skill refinement with Procreate, your digital canvas enriched by the diverse selection of Procreate brushes.

Painting a still life in Procreate is not just about capturing objects on a screen; it’s a deep dive into observation, composition, lighting, and color dynamics.

This step-by-step guide is designed to shepherd you through creating a still life painting that brims with life, leveraging Procreate’s intuitive features and traditional painting technique simulations.

_{^{1. Setting Up Your Canvas}}

Open Procreate and tap the “+” icon to create a new canvas. Choose a size that suits your project – for still life, a square or a rectangle in landscape orientation works well.

Consider Resolution: Higher resolutions are great for detail but can limit the number of layers you can use. A good starting point is 300 DPI for prints or 72 DPI for digital viewing.

_{^{2. Gathering References}}

Arrange a still-life setup with objects you find interesting. This could be anything from fruits to vases, ensuring there’s a variety of shapes, textures, and colors.

Take a photo of your setup. Good lighting is key – natural light works best to create soft shadows and highlights.

_{^{3. Sketching Your Composition}}

Select a Sketching Brush: Use a pencil brush from the Sketching category to lay out your composition. This initial sketch should focus on basic shapes and placement rather than detail.

Consider Composition: Play with arrangement and perspective until you find a balanced composition. Remember the rule of thirds for an engaging layout.

_{^{4. Blocking in Colors}}

Create a New Layer for color blocking, beneath your sketch layer.

Choose Your Base Colors: Using the Color Picker, select colors that match your reference. Don’t worry about getting the perfect shade right now; focus on covering large areas with base colors.

Use a Broad Brush: A larger, softer brush can quickly cover areas without leaving harsh edges.

_{^{5. Adding Details and Textures}}

Layering: Add a new layer above your color blocks for details. Working in layers allows you to experiment without altering the base.

Detail Brushes: Switch to smaller, finer brushes to add details. Procreate’s Brush Library offers a variety of textures that can mimic real-life painting techniques.

Observe Your Reference: Pay attention to how light interacts with objects, noting highlights, shadows, and reflected colors.

_{^{6. Refining Light and Shadow}}

Create Shadows: Use a darker shade of your base colors to paint shadows. Consider the light source in your reference to maintain consistency.

Add Highlights: Select a lighter color for highlights. A soft brush with low opacity can create a subtle luminosity on reflective surfaces.

_{^{7. Final Touches}}

Adjustments: Use Procreate’s adjustment tools (Brightness, Contrast, Saturation) to fine-tune your painting. This can help enhance the overall mood.

Add a Background: Consider painting a simple background to complement your still life. A neutral shade can make your subjects stand out.

_{^{8. Review and Revise}}

Take a step back and review your painting. You might spot areas that need adjusting or refining. Use the Transform tool to tweak proportions or the Eraser tool to clean up edges.

_{^{Tips for Success}}

Practice Layer Management: Naming layers and grouping them according to their function (e.g., base colors, details, shadows) can help keep your workspace organized.

Experiment with Blending Modes: Layer blending modes can create interesting effects, especially for lighting and shadow.

Take Breaks: Sometimes, stepping away from your work for a while can provide new insights when you return.

Painting a still life in Procreate is not just about replicating what you see; it’s an opportunity to explore creativity, experiment with digital tools, and develop your artistic skills. 

Each still life is a journey – from observing your subject to the final stroke, every step is a chance to learn and grow as an artist. So grab your iPad, find your inspiration, and start painting!