How to Add Texture to Your Digital Art in Procreate
- 13 minutes ago
- 3 min read
There's one finishing step I rarely skip when painting in Procreate, and it takes less than a minute!
Adding a texture to your digital art is like that final little touch that makes everything feel more real. And once you try it, you'll wonder why you weren't always doing it.
Why Artists Like To Use Textures:
Digital art can sometimes have that tell-tale “made on a screen” look. A little too smooth. But textures fix that! They add depth to your piece. And they also help to unify a piece. They'll make your colors feel richer, and give your work an organic quality that makes people stop and wonder- wait, is this traditional art?
And I've found it works across styles too. Whether you paint realistically or more stylized, a subtle texture can make the whole piece look better.
How to do it in Procreate:
Step 1: Save texture images to your camera roll. I like to organize mine into an Album on my iPad so they're always easy to find. If you need some textures, I sell a bunch in my Procreate brush packs!
Step 2: Open your finished painting in Procreate.
Step 3: Tap the wrench icon (Actions) > Add > Insert a Photo. Choose a texture from your photos, and it'll drop on top of your layer stack.
Step 4: With the Transform arrow selected, pull at the corners of the texture to size it up and place it on top of your painting. (If the proportions stretch weirdly, with the Transform arrow selected, make sure you have Uniform selected before you move the texture around.)
Step 5: Tap the layers panel, and then tap the “N” on the texture layer to open your blend mode options.
Step 6: Switch from Normal to Multiply. I also like Linear Burn sometimes, too.
Step 7: Lower the opacity of the texture layer until it feels just right. Experiment to see what looks best to you. Not too much, not too little.
A couple of tips before you go...
If you're working on something painterly, try a canvas or linen texture. It adds that traditional media feel that pairs well with digital brushwork. For more illustrative or graphic work, a soft paper or grain texture tends to blend in without competing with your lines.
And don't be afraid to stack two textures at low opacity if you want something a little more layered.
Where to find textures
You might already have everything you need! Here are a few places to look:
Around your home: Photograph tablecloths, walls, or couches. Believe it or not, it works! Anything with an interesting weave makes a great texture.
Your art supplies: Scan or photograph watercolor papers or canvases you have on hand.
Free stock sites: Pixabay and Unsplash both have textures available for free download.
Etsy: Search “Procreate texture pack” and you'll find tons of options from other artists and sellers.
My Procreate brush sets: I include textures in many of my sets.
Want to try it right now?
Give this a try on your next piece!
Or if you'd rather skip the blend mode fiddling, I have a pre-made Procreate Watercolor Paper that already has the blend modes set up for you. It's paired with my favorite Watercolor brush, too! And good news- it's FREE when you join my value-packed email newsletter. 💗 It's done for you, ready to paint on! So no setup required. :)
