Basic guide to start in digital illustration

Enter the world of digital illustration and discover the infinite possibilities that await you with Stephanie Lagunas in her Basic guide to start in digital illustration. Dare to try it!

I love to draw, it is a fun way of expression, and with the tools available nowadays, we can make the most of this form of art. Although it may seem intimidating at the beginning, digital illustration it’s not as difficult as it seems, in fact, it can be an extremely gratifying experience.

In this article I will share with you some essential advice to start drawing in Procreate, an iPad app that facilitates the transition from paper to digital media. However, these tips are applicable to diverse apps and illustration programs.

I will share with you some essential advice to start drawing in Procreate, an iPad app that facilitates the transition from paper to digital media.

Here are some fundamental recommendations that will guide you in your first steps into digital illustration. These tips will help you establish a solid foundation and develop your own artistic style.

Enter the world of digital illustration and discover the infinite possibilities that await you.

Dare to try it!

Canvas Format

The first step is to decide if your canvas will be horizontal, vertical, or square, depending on the composition you desire. If it’s a project for printing, use the CMYK color profile and set it to 300 ppi. For digital projects, choose RGB and a minimum of 72 ppi. Defining these parameters from the start ensures better quality and suitability of the final design.

Ajustando el formato del lienzo / Adjusting canvas format
Fotografía / Photography: Stephanie Lagunas

Ajustando el formato del lienzo / Adjusting canvas format
Fotografía / Photography: Stephanie Lagunas

Drawing Guides

Procreate offers various grids and drawing guides that you can choose according to your needs, or you can create your own custom grid. I recommend starting your sketch with a drawing guide to better understand the size, proportion, and arrangement of elements in your illustration. Moreover, you can edit the drawing guide at any time to refine and perfect your work.

Ejemplo de guías de dibujo / Example of drawing guides
Fotografía / Photography: Stephanie Lagunas

Brushes

Digital brushes allow you to adjust numerous parameters to suit your needs. The most useful ones include: color, opacity, and size. By modifying these three aspects, you can transform a single brush into a versatile tool capable of creating a wide variety of effects and textures. Experimenting with these settings will help you discover multiple possibilities and enrich your artistic style.

Pinceles / Brushes
Fotografía / Photography: Stephanie Lagunas

Eraser Tool

The eraser tool not only removes unwanted strokes. It also allows you to select any brush as the eraser, enabling you to erase with specific textures like pencil or watercolor. This capability offers unique and enriching effects for your projects, adding depth and character to your illustration. Experimenting with different erasing textures can elevate your work to a higher level.

Utilizando la herramienta borrador / Using the eraser tool
Fotografía / Photography: Stephanie Lagunas

Layers

Layers in Procreate function similarly to Photoshop and Illustrator. Using layers allows you to organize your illustration into different levels, making editing easier without affecting other parts of the drawing. You can adjust opacity, change the order, and apply effects to each layer individually. This flexibility helps you to experiment, correct errors, and maintain a tidy and efficient workflow.

Color palette

The color palette will depend on the technique and the message you want to transmit. I recommend you not to use too many colors and leave the details to the end, since the palette can be modified. Experiment with different combinations and use the chromatic circle as a guide. Remember that colors can vary between screens and impression, so verify how it looks on different devices before finishing.

Dibujando con una paleta de color / Drawing with a color palette
Fotografía / Photography: Freepik

I’m sharing some of my experience hoping it will be very helpful to you. By following these essential tips, you’ll be on your way to developing your own artistic style and getting the most out of tools like Procreate. Don’t hesitate to experiment and refine your skills.