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Procreate layers are a strong instrument for the digital artist—use them to separate, set up, protect, and increase your work. There are a myriad of how to make use of them, however we’ll begin firstly with the basics. Use this introduction as a Procreate cheat sheet that will help you get began!

Observe together with us over on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:

1. Getting Began With Procreate Layers

Step 1

In case you’re unfamiliar, Procreate Layers work very similar to how they sound—they mean you can layer totally different items of content material on high of one another, whereas sustaining a level of independence.

So, for instance, I might draw one thing on one layer, after which create a brand new one for extra paintings. The 2 layers might then be moved and manipulated independently—versus in the event that they have been one, dependent work in a shared area.

To disclose your Layers, faucet on the Layers Icon within the higher right-hand nook of your work space.

Step 2

By default, in a New Doc, you may see two layers: Layer 1 and Background Coloration. Word that your chosen layer is highlighted in blue.

We will create a New Layer by tapping the Plus Signal in our Layers Menu. 

Step 3

Swipe Left to disclose further actions we are able to apply to our layers: Lock, Duplicate, and Delete.

Lock locks up the Layer so its contents are protected—you will not have the ability to alter the contents till you Unlock them. You possibly can Unlock your layers from this similar location.

Duplicate creates a duplicate of the layer’s contents on a New Layer.

Delete deletes the chosen layer. Word, in the event you solely have one layer, you may see “Clear” as a substitute of Delete, which can as a substitute delete the layer’s contents.

Step 4

You may as well rearrange your Procreate layers. To Transfer a Layer, Faucet and Maintain, after which Drag the Layer to the specified order.

Step 5

Layers will also be grouped collectively. On this instance, I’ve three layers. 

Swipe Proper on the layers you want to Group. Discover how the chosen layers are highlighted in blue. Then, choose the Group Icon within the higher right-hand nook.

Step 6

Here’s what these layers appear like grouped. On this instance, the group is expanded, so we are able to see its contents. Faucet on the Downwards Arrow to contract it and conceal its contents.

Word that we are able to rearrange these layers inside the group. You may as well use this similar technique to maneuver layers out and in of the group.

Swiping Left gives you the identical Lock, Duplicate, and Delete choices as you’ll see in a typical Procreate layer.

Step 7

Procreate Layer Visibility might be Toggled On and Off through the checkboxes on the right-hand aspect of every Layer. The identical applies to Layer Teams and Layers inside Teams. 

2. Layer Choices in Procreate

Step 1

Faucet on a layer to disclose further choices. Have a look at this fast Procreate cheat sheet, beginning with a few of the extra simple ones:

• Rename permits you to rename your layer. That is significantly helpful for organizational functions.
• Choose selects the contents of the layer.
• Copy copies the contents of the layer. You possibly can then paste the contents from the Actions panel. 
• Fill Layer fills your complete layer together with your energetic shade.
• Clear erases the entire contents of the chosen layer.
• Invert inverts your layer. So, for instance, if I had a layer full of the colour black—after which I chosen Invert—it will make the contents white.
• Merge Down merges the layer down with the layer beneath it. The result’s one merged layer.
• Mix Down, then again, merges the energetic layer and the layer beneath it right into a Layer Group. 

Word, the visibility of those choices can depend upon the variety of layers and/or their order. For instance, in the event you solely have one layer, you will not see “Merge Down” or “Mix Down”. When you’ve got Drawing Help on, this will also be Toggled On or Off from these Layer Choices.

Step 2

Now, let’s check out a few of the extra sophisticated choices.

Alpha Lock locks the Layer’s Transparency. 

On this instance, I’ve a layer known as “Circle” with a purple circle in it. I then Toggled the Alpha Lock On. 

Now, I can draw inside the purple circle space with out worrying about going outdoors of my paintings—it is because the out there drawing area has been locked to the realm occupied by my authentic, purple circle. Once I strive to attract yellow strains, for instance, they keep inside the confines of the purple circle I’ve already drawn.

Step 3

Deciding on Masks will connect a Procreate Layer Masks to the energetic layer. 

On this instance, I’ve given the layer “Instance” a Fill Coloration—it is all inexperienced. Word the Procreate Layer Masks on high of it within the Layers panel, beneath.

When wanting on the Masks Preview, the black area is hidden and the white area is seen. For instance, the white dots within the Masks Preview are the one area the place the inexperienced will likely be seen.

Step 4

Procreate additionally has Clipping Masks, which we are able to entry from our Layers—an identical however totally different option to masks your work. 

This time, for example, create a form of some sort on a layer of its personal. 

Then, create a New Layer on high of this form. Faucet the layer preview after which choose Clipping Masks. Now, this layer will act as a Clipping Masks—which implies its visibility will likely be relying on the layer beneath it. 

Within the instance beneath, discover how I couldn’t draw the purple strains “outdoors” of the black circle. That is as a result of the purple strains have been drawn on my Clipping Masks—the layer above the black circle layer.

Step 5

Reference makes the energetic layer a Reference Layer. Procreate Reference Layers are sometimes used to simply hold Line Artwork and Coloration Fills separate.

On this instance, I’ve created some easy line artwork on a Layer I’ve known as “Line Layer”. I chosen Reference to make this right into a Procreate Reference Layer.

Then, Create a New Layer—I’ve named it “Coloration Layer”. The layer above the Procreate Reference Layer is the one that can depend on stated reference. So “Coloration Layer” goes to reference “Line Layer”.

Procreate Reference Layers make it very straightforward so as to add Fills to your Line Artwork whereas nonetheless holding your strains impartial, on their very own layer. With my “Coloration Layer” chosen, all I’ve to do is drag my energetic shade into the area I would like full of shade. 

Voila! It acknowledges this area outlined in my Procreate Reference Layer, but retains the colour separate, on the above layer.

3. Procreate Layer Opacity and Mixing Modes

Step 1

We will additionally alter the layer’s Mixing Modes and the Procreate Layer Opacity. To view these choices, click on on the N that sits beside the Visibility Toggle.

Step 2

Proper beneath our layer’s Preview, you may discover the Opacity Slider. 100% is full opacity, whereas 0% could be invisible. Procreate Layer Opacity will also be utilized to Teams and Grouped Layers.

Step 3

Mixing Modes have an effect on how the layer interacts with the opposite Procreate layers in your composition. By default, the Mixing Mode is about to Regular.

Procreate has a complete host of mixing modes to check out, together with: Multiply, Darken, Coloration Burn, Linear Burn, Darker Coloration, Regular, Lighten, Display, Coloration Dodge, Add, Lighter Coloration, Overlay, Comfortable Mild, Onerous Mild, Vivid Mild, Linear Mild, Pin Mild, Onerous Combine, Distinction, Exclusion, Subtract, Divide, Hue, Saturation, Coloration, and Luminosity.

Yeah, that is quite a bit! And the most effective methods to get to know mixing modes is to leap proper in and check them out. View them as totally different relationships your layers can have with each other—ways in which they’ll actually mix with one another.

Keep in mind, you’ll be able to all the time set the Mixing Mode again to Regular, to return to the layer’s default look.

Let’s strive a quick instance. Beneath is a few line artwork, by itself layer. Then, on a layer above it, there is a strong shade. Discover the distinction between the identical layer with totally different Mixing Modes. 

On the left, the layer with the purple shade is about to Regular. Within the center, this similar purple layer is about to Lighten. On the suitable, this similar layer’s Mixing Mode is about to Multiply.

Check out the opposite ones too!

And There You Have It!

We have gone by means of the fundamentals of Procreate layers. We realized the right way to merge layers in Procreate and the right way to delete layers in Procreate, amongst different issues.

There’s loads to experiment with and increase upon right here—the most effective methods to get snug with Procreate layers is to leap proper in and check them out.

Verify Out These Premium Procreate Brushes

On the lookout for some new Procreate brushes so as to add to your assortment? Try these superior brushes out there now on Envato Parts. They might all make a beautiful addition to any illustrator’s set!

1. Shader Brushes for Procreate (PNG, BRUSHSET)

This stunning assortment of 35 brushes is ideal for including texture to your work. Check out the shaders, add hatching, and experiment with including some noise to your work.

2. Artwork Brushes for Procreate (BRUSHSET)

Love actual media? Check out these stunning actual media impressed brushes for Procreate. This assortment of 21 brushes has a lot to supply. Whether or not you are in search of a little bit texture or a thick, painterly expertise, this one is a should obtain.

3. RisoTex Procreate Brushes (BRUSHSET)

Artist melrodicq has created the best pack with 30 brushes. Use these stunning brushes in your Procreate layers.

4. Flower Contact Procreate Brushes (BRUSHSET)

Is not this ornamental brush set a deal with? The preview is simply the tip of the iceberg—there are over 160 totally different items to this set, together with each sample brushes and stamp brushes. Add some enjoyable florals to your illustrative work immediately.

5. Snow Brushes for Procreate (BRUSHSET)

Whether or not you are wanting so as to add natural snowflakes to your work or to experiment with texture, this snow brush set for Procreate has a whole lot of content material to discover. There are 16 brushes to experiment with and luxuriate in. If you wish to play with opacity in Procreate, give them a strive!

Discover Extra Procreate Assets

Now issues like the right way to merge layers in Procreate, the right way to modify opacity in Procreate, and the right way to use a reference layer in Procreate. Continue learning with these free Procreate tutorials on Envato Tuts+, from creating and customizing brushes to illustration walk-throughs. Completely satisfied drawing!