CSP-AVO8502 - Introduction to Procreate - Digital Art

Course Description

Course Outline

Week 1: Introduction to Tools and Digital Drawing Basics 
Introduce students to the Procreate interface
Establish comfort with brush tools, layers, and color functions
Complete a guided digital illustration to reinforce tool application
Key Topics:
Interface and Setup
• Navigating the main Procreate workspace
• Creating a new canvas and adjusting canvas settings
• Understanding resolution and file formats
Brush and Color Tools
• Overview of default brush categories: sketching, inking, painting
• How to select and customize brushes
• Using the color wheel, eyedropper, and color fill tools
Layer Management
     Creating, reordering, and grouping layers
     Introduction to alpha lock for controlled coloring
     Understanding layer visibility and layer locking
Basic Editing Tools
     Using the selection tool to isolate parts of the image
     Applying transformations: move, resize, rotate
Week 2: Drawing Assist and Perspective Tools
Introduce students to Drawing Assist and Perspective Guide features
Teach one- and two-point perspective drawing within Procreate
Demonstrate how to set a Reference Layer for efficient color filling
Guide students through the creation of an isometric room illustration
Assign homework focused on symmetry tools with radial assist
Key Topics:
• Activating Drawing Assist in layers
• Using 1-point and 2-point perspective guides
• Adjusting vanishing points and grid settings
• Snapping strokes to guides
Reference Layers and Color Fill
• Setting a layer as Reference
• Using color drop to fill enclosed spaces
• Tips for clean fills and edge control

Week 3: Digital Collage and Layered Composition
Instructional Goals
• Introduce students to digital collage as an expressive art form
• Teach how to import, arrange, and edit royalty-free images
• Blend photography, hand-drawn elements, and textures into a cohesive artwork
• Explore layer blending modes, transparency, and selections
• Encourage creative composition and visual storytelling
Key Topics:
Importing and Organizing Assets
• Use Pixabay and Unsplash to locate royalty-free images
• Import images directly into Procreate
• Resize and position images using the Transform tool
• Organize content into labeled layers or groups
Selections, Tracing, and Hand-Drawn Additions
• Use Freehand and Automatic Selection tools to isolate parts of an image
• Trace image outlines or shapes to create custom linework
• Add drawn embellishments like borders, patterns, or highlights
• Combine drawing and photography for mixed-media effect
Blending and Composition Techniques
• Apply layer blending modes (Multiply, Overlay, Screen)
• Adjust opacity and position to achieve balance and depth
• Use Gaussian Blur and Eraser for artistic transitions
• Group and flatten layers when needed for composition flow

Week 4: Custom Brush Creation
• Introduce students to the Brush Studio in Procreate
• Teach how to create a basic stamp brush using hand-drawn artwork
• Explore brush settings including spacing, jitter, and rotation
• Guide students through saving and organizing brushes into sets
• Prepare students to use these brushes in future compositions and projects

Week 5: Painting with Custom Brushes
Instructional Goals
• Teach students to apply their custom brushes in layered illustrations
• Explore brush opacity, size, and color dynamics
• Reinforce blending modes and layer organization
  Guide students in using brushes with intention, not just decoration
  Build confidence in creating cohesive artwork with self-made tools
Brush Use in Painting
• Adjust brush size and opacity on the fly
•  Use brushes as texture overlays or shape fillers
• Layer brushes for depth and detail
• Mix hand-drawing and brush stamping for variation
Layer Organization and Workflow
• Create separate layers for brush textures and linework
• Use Multiply or Overlay blending modes
• Group layers for different areas of the painting
• Lock layers to avoid accidental edits

Week 6: Digital Watercolor Techniques
Instructional Goals
• Introduce digital watercolor approaches using soft brushes and blend tools
• Demonstrate building up color in transparent layers
•  Teach layering, masking, and erasing for soft edges and effects
• Emphasize brush pressure, opacity, and blending
• Guide students in creating a soft, painterly composition
Watercolor Tools in Procreate
• Soft Brush, Watercolor Brush (Painting> Water)
• Smudge tool for blending and softening
• Use of lower opacity and pressure for layering color
• Eraser as a shaping and softening tool
Techniques
• Layer light-to-dark with soft transitions
• Add highlights and texture with subtle brushwork
• Use the selection tool with feathering for watercolor edges
• Work with Multiply and Screen modes to adjust contrast

Week 7: Repeat Pattern Design
Creating a Repeat Tile
• Start with a square canvas (e.g., 2000 x 2000 px)
• Place central motif or icons first
• Use Transform> Snapping to align and move elements to the edges
• Fill remaining space with smaller motifs or connectors
• Test tile by duplicating and arranging in a 2x2 layout
Tools and Techniques
• Transform tool with Snapping enabled
• Selection tool for precise cut-and-move actions
• Grouping and flattening to keep organized
• Consistent color palettes and brush use

Week 8: Typography and Word Art
Introduce students to typography through digital text and hand lettering
Teach how to use Procreate's text tool and rasterize type for decoration
Guide students through the process of creating their own font using Calligraphr
Explore layout, spacing, and visual hierarchy in word art
Encourage creative self-expression through text-based design
Key Topics:
Using the Text Tool in Procreate
• Add and customize text using Actions> Add Text
• Adjust font, size, kerning, leading, and tracking
• Rasterize text layers for editing and illustration
• Apply clipping masks and textures to type
Hand Lettering + Word Art
• Sketch words using monoline or calligraphy brushes
• Use guides and grids for consistency
• Add brush texture or decoration
• Use layers to organize strokes and effects
Creating Your Own Font with Calligraphr
• Introduce calligraphr.com as a tool to build a custom font
• Students will complete the basic template with their own handwriting
• Walk through uploading, generating, and installing the font
 

Learner Outcomes

Week 1: 

Confidently navigate the Procreate interface,  Sketch and color using basic brushes, Organize artwork using multiple layers, Apply color and shading using built-in tools,  Export artwork in appropriate formats

Week 2:

Use Drawing Assist for accurate line control, Understand and apply one- and two-point perspective within a digital format, Utilize Reference Layers to efficiently apply color, Create structured digital compositions with clean line work and balanced design

Week 3:

Develop composition skills using multiple visual sources, Strengthen layer management and organization, Apply selection, transform, and blending tools in real projects, Combine hand-drawn and photographic elements to communicate an idea

Week 4:

Understand how to create and customize stamp brushes in Procreate, Apply brush creation to their own artistic voice, Develop technical confidence using Brush Studio, Organize and manage custom assets within Procreate

Week 5:

Understand how to paint with custom brushes, Improve visual composition and color awareness, Strengthen technical control using Procreate's layer tools, Build visual consistency using personalized tools

Week 6:

Use soft brushes and smudge tools to mimic watercolor, Control opacity and pressure for transparency, Layer and blend digital paint with intention, Build softness and shape without hard lines

Week 7:

Teach students how to create seamless repeat patterns in Procreate, Introduce tile-based layout using layers and selections, Explore duplication and alignment using Transform and Snapping, Encourage planning and motif consistency, Prepare students for applying artwork to real-world uses (products, print, digital)

Week 8:

Understand how typography functions as art and message, Use both text tools and hand lettering techniques, Create and install a basic personal font using Calligraphr, Design with clarity, intention, and visual rhythm

 

Notes