Creating Pixel Art in Procreate: A Step-by-Step Guide

Aspiring digital artists often find it challenging to create pixel art using various software. However, thanks to the Procreate app on iPad, even beginners can now create incredible pixel art designs with ease. Whether you are new to the digital art world or a professional artist looking to expand your skills, Procreate offers an excellent platform to create stunning pixel art designs.

Pixel art is a digital art form consisting of small, square pixels that create a visual style reminiscent of early video game graphics. This art form is popular for its simplicity and nostalgia-inducing aesthetics. And while creating pixel art designs can seem intimidating at first, with the Procreate app, anyone can learn to create high-quality pixel art designs that are visually appealing and unique. In this article, we’ll explore the steps you can follow to create pixel art in Procreate.

Section 1: Setting Up Your Workspace in Procreate

1. Create a New Canvas

To make pixel art in Procreate, you need to create a new canvas that is specific to your desired pixel size. To do this, open Procreate and create a new canvas. In the canvas size options, choose “Pixels” as the unit of measurement. Then, input the dimensions of your canvas in pixels, ensuring that the width and height match your desired pixel size.

2. Activate Pixel Preview

Pixel Preview is a vital tool for creating pixel art in Procreate. It allows you to see your artwork in the exact size it will be when exported, including each individual pixel. To activate it, go to the top of the screen and tap on “Actions” and then “Canvas Properties.” Turn on the “Pixel Preview” toggle switch in the top right corner.

3. Choose Your Color Palette

Pixel art typically utilizes a limited color palette for a more cohesive and retro aesthetic. In Procreate, you can choose colors by selecting the “Color Picker” tool and then selecting the color wheel icon. Create a new palette by tapping the plus sign and selecting your desired colors.

4. Turn on the Grid View

A grid view helps you to see your artwork on a smaller scale, with each box representing one pixel. To turn on grid view, tap the “Actions” menu, then “Grid and Snapping,” and select the “Edit Grid” option. You can customize your grid settings to fit your desired pixel size.

5. Turn on the Drawing Guide

A drawing guide can assist with creating smoother and more precise lines in your art. To enable it, tap the “Actions” menu, then “Drawing Guide,” and activate the “Assisted Drawing” toggle switch. Customize the guides to fit your desired orientation and angles.

Section 2: Creating Pixel Art in Procreate

6. Start with a Sketch

Before diving into adding pixels, create a rough sketch of your artwork on a new layer. Use the “Sketching” brush to draw out your desired details. Keep in mind that the sketch should only serve as a rough guideline and not the final product.

7. Add the Base Pixels

Once you have your sketch in place, start adding the base pixels to your art. Use the “Pixel Brush” to create your initial pixel shapes and fill in any large areas. Keep in mind the color palette you chose earlier and only use those colors.

8. Fill in the Details

Adding in the details of your artwork is the fun part. Use the “Pixel Brush” with a smaller size to create more intricate details. Zoom in as needed to ensure accuracy and add highlights and shadows to give your piece more depth.

9. Use Layers for Organization

To keep your artwork organized, use layers for each element of your pixel art. For example, you might have a layer dedicated to the background, another for the main character, and a third for smaller details. This allows you to easily edit each element of your artwork without affecting the others.

10. Export Your Pixel Art

Once you are satisfied with your artwork, it’s time to export it. Go to the “Actions” menu and select “Share” to save your completed pixel art as a PNG file, ready for use on your website or application. Congratulations, you’ve created an amazing piece of pixel art in Procreate!

What You Need to Know Before Starting Pixel Art in Procreate

Pixel art is a form of digital art that involves creating images pixel by pixel. This art form has been around since the early days of video games, but it has since evolved into a popular art style that is used in a variety of applications.

Procreate is a digital painting program for iPad that is known for its versatility and ease of use. It is an exceptional tool for creating pixel art due to its handy features and intuitive interface. However, before jumping into creating pixel art in procreate, it’s important to know a few things.

The Importance of Planning Your Design

One of the most critical aspects of creating successful pixel art is having a plan in place before you start drawing. This planning stage is essential as it allows you to establish the size of your canvas, the color palette you will be using, and the resolution of the image.

The Right Tools for the Job

It’s essential to understand the tools in Procreate that are specific to creating pixel art. These tools include the pencil tool, the eraser tool, the fill tool, and the eye-dropper tool. These tools are handy for creating precise art, achieving the desired color scheme, and adjusting the image’s resolution.

The Color Palette

The color palette is an essential element in pixel art creation as it conveys the mood and setting in your artwork. It is recommended to stick to a few colors to keep your art piece cohesive. It’s advisable to use the same colors for shading, outlining, and highlighting.

Understanding Pixel Density

Pixel density is the measurement of the number of pixels per inch (PPI) on a screen. In pixel art, knowing your PPI can make a huge difference in the final product. Understanding pixel density is essential for achieving clean, sharp, and precise pixel art.

Pixel Art Techniques

There are different techniques for creating pixel art, including Isometric pixel art, flat pixel art, and retro pixel art. Understanding each technique and its characteristic helps in determining the style you want for your art.

The Grid System

The Grid system is an essential tool when creating pixel art. It enables you to create precise and deliberate pixel art, allowing you to focus on individual pixels and keep them consistent throughout the piece.

Layering Pixel Art

Layering in pixel art is like layering any other artwork in Procreate. It allows you to make changes easily and maintain the integrity of the original idea. Layering also allows you to experiment with different styles and techniques without damaging the original artwork.

Working With Small Canvases

When working with a small canvas, it’s advisable to use a zoom window to ensure precision and accuracy in your work. It also helps to pay attention to the edges of your canvas; otherwise, you may find that the edges of your artwork are cut off once you export it.

Exporting Your Pixel Art

Once you have created your pixel art in Procreate, you can export it in various formats, including PNG, JPEG, and GIF. When exporting, ensure that your image’s resolution and size are compatible with the platform you intend to use it on.

Practice Makes Perfect

Pixel art takes time and practice to master. It’s advisable to start by exploring and experimenting with different techniques, styles, and color palettes. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; they are essential in the learning process. With time and practice, you’ll soon create remarkable pixel art pieces in procreate.

Tools You Need to Make Pixel Art Using Procreate

If you’re ready to dive into the world of pixel art, you’ll need to know what tools you’ll need in your arsenal to make the most of your creations. Here are the essential tools you should have in order to get started:

Using Pixel Brushes in Procreate

Pixel brushes are essential to creating pixel art in Procreate. These brushes are designed to work with the app’s grid system, allowing you to create small, detailed pixels with precision. When selecting a pixel brush, make sure it’s compatible with Procreate and choose a size that works best for the size of your canvas.

Creating a Color Palette in Procreate

When creating pixel art, it’s important to have a well-chosen color palette that fits the theme of your art. With Procreate’s color picker tool, you can easily choose and save colors to create your custom color palette. You can also import color palettes from external sources or create them yourself.

Using Reference Images in Procreate

Using reference images is an important part of creating pixel art. These images can help guide your work and ensure accuracy in your composition, proportions, and color choices. You can import reference images in Procreate and use them as a guide while you work.

Using the Layer System in Procreate

To keep your work organized and make changes easier, it’s important to use a layer system in Procreate. Create separate layers for your pixels, background, and other elements in your art. This will allow you to easily make changes to individual elements without affecting your entire piece. You can also use the opacity slider to lighten or darken your pixels as needed.

Exporting Your Pixel Art from Procreate

Once you’ve created your pixel art masterpiece, it’s time to export it from Procreate. You can export your artwork as a PNG or JPG file and share it on social media or your website. When exporting, make sure to choose the appropriate file size and resolution for the platform where you plan to share your art.

Time to Get Creative!

We hope you enjoyed learning how to make pixel art in Procreate! Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t get discouraged if your first attempts aren’t perfect. Keep experimenting with different pixel sizes and colors, and soon you’ll be creating stunning pixel art pieces. Be sure to share your creations with us on social media and tag us (@procreate), we would love to see what you come up with! Thanks for reading and visit again soon for more amazing tutorials.