The 5 Best Procreate Tools for Character Design

Make your illustrations pop by using these 5 must-know Procreate tools.

In the realm of digital art, Procreate stands out as a powerhouse for creative professionals, especially when it comes to character design. It's packed with features that can transform the way you bring characters to life. Emma Gillette, professional illustrator and lead instructor of the Character Design Fundamentals course, shares her top five tools within Procreate that are essential for character design, offering a glimpse into their functionality and how they can elevate your creative workflow.

We encourage you to watch the video above for the whole enchilada, but here's the gist:

1. Quick Shape Tool ⭕️

The Quick Shape Tool is a game-changer for creating precise geometric shapes and lines. It simplifies the process of drawing complex shapes, such as circles, squares, and arcs, by automatically smoothing and perfecting them as you draw. This tool is particularly useful for defining clean, sharp lines and shapes in character designs, allowing for quick adjustments and perfect alignments.

2. Transfer Modes (Blend Modes) 🔃

Blend Modes, known as Transfer Modes in Procreate, are essential for adding depth, texture, and lighting to your designs. The video highlights three key modes: Multiply for shadows, Overlay for highlights, and Color for hue adjustments. These modes can dramatically change the mood and feel of your character designs, offering a versatile range of effects from subtle textural enhancements to bold lighting contrasts.

3. Transform Tools ✍🏻

Character design often requires tweaking and refining proportions, and the Transform Tools are perfect for this. They allow for the resizing, distorting, and warping of elements within your artwork. This can be incredibly useful for adjusting character traits to better suit the narrative or aesthetic of your project, ensuring your characters fit perfectly within their intended age group or setting.

4. Layers & Clipping Masks ✂️

Layers and Clipping Masks bring an unparalleled level of control and flexibility to the digital drawing process. They allow you to add patterns, textures, and colors to specific parts of your character without affecting the underlying work. This layer-based approach enables easy experimentation with different styles and effects, making it a staple in the character design process.

5. Brush Stabilization 🖌️

For artists seeking to refine their linework, Brush Stabilization is a boon. It smooths out strokes, making it easier to achieve clean, confident lines. This tool is especially beneficial for beginners or those looking to perfect their drawing technique, providing a safety net that ensures every line is just as intended.

Wrap Up

These five tools are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what Procreate offers for character design. Each brings its own unique benefits to the table, enabling artists to push the boundaries of their creativity. For more detailed information on how to leverage these tools effectively, be sure to watch the tutorial above.

Character design is an art form that requires both skill and the right tools. With Procreate's robust feature set, artists have everything they need at their fingertips to create compelling, detailed characters. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, mastering these tools can significantly enhance your design process.

If you're looking to dive deeper into character design, don't miss our course on Character Design Fundamentals — comprehensive guidance from start to finish. Happy designing!