How to add texture in Procreate (Patreon)

In this Procreate tutorial, I'll share with you how I make my illustrations pop with textures! Using texture brushes and paper textures is a great way to add dimension to your illustrations.

I use three easy ways to add texture to my Illustrations, Clipping Mask, Alpha Lock, and Paper Textures + Layer Blend Modes, so let me explain all of them to you :)

But to start you will need texture brushes of course! You can use the brushes that are directly available in Procreate, I like the Brushes in the Charcoals tap or these Brushes included in the Sketching tap for textures: Soft Pastel, Oil Pastel, Artist Crayon, and Bonobo Chalk. 

Or you can of course also buy brushes from other artists or on Etsy and Gumroad.

So let´s start!

Clipping Mask:

My favorite way to create textures is using clipping masks.

Using a clipping mask allows you to draw on the shape on a layer using a layer above it. This clipping mask layer above enables you to add textures, highlights, shadows, and layer adjustments to your shape. With clipping masks, you are not directly drawing on your actual layers' shape which is amazing because you can erase your textures later on or make changes without destroying your image underneath. 

So how to use Clipping Masks in Procreate?

First, create a new layer and draw your shape/element on it. I will demonstrate it here with a plant. ("Shape" Layer on the image)

Create a new layer above your shape/element and tap on that layer. You will open a menu beside your layer. Now select Clipping Mask (it´s the 8th option).

Now you can draw your textures without drawing out of your shape and without "destroying" your shape. ("Clipping Mask" Layer on the image)

The color and texture will only be applied to the layer below your clipping mask in the Layers panel. And you can also do this with text!

Alpha Lock:

Another way to add textures easily to your illustrations is Alpha Lock.

With Alpha Lock, you can lock a layer's transparency. This means that once you apply Alpha Lock on a layer, you will only be able to paint inside what already exists on that layer.And if you want to erase the texture you created with alpha lock you will erase the whole shape/element.

I use this method on things like simple plants where I know that I won´t be doing any change to them later on. 

So how to use Alpha Lock in Procreate?

First, create a new layer and draw your shape/element on it. 

Tap on that layer to open the menu beside your layer. Now select Alpha Lock. The background of that layer will get a gingham look.

Now you can draw your textures without drawing out of your shape. 

Don´t forget that you´re directly drawing on your shape so if you want to erase your textures you will erase the whole image.

Paper Textures:

What I also like to do every now and then to add texture to the whole illustration after I finish it is using paper textures.

You can either use paper texture brushes or you can use paper texture images.

Here are some free paper texture images available:https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/watercolor-paper 

How to apply paper textures to your illustration?

First, create a new layer on top of all your layers. You can do that after you finished your illustration or if you prefer the paper look you can do that before as well.

Now use your paper texture brush (big size) and fill in the whole layer at once without lifting your apple pencil. If you are using a paper texture image just import it into Procreate.

Now tap on that little N on the right side of your layer in the layer menu. It´s directly beside the checkmark.

I now like to put the paper layer on Multiply (this is also what I do with watercolor textures) but you can experiment with blend modes such as Overlay, Soft Light, Multiply, and Screen to achieve different effects. Each blend mode interacts differently with the underlying layers, allowing you to create unique textures and effects.

Lastly, I put down the opacity of my paper texture layer.

I hope that helps with creating textures in Procreate!

If you have any questions let me know!

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