Procreate can feel intimidating at first — blank canvases, endless brush tools, and confusing color wheels. If you don’t consider yourself an “artist,” it’s easy to wonder how you’re supposed to feel comfortable or even safe creating here.
Add in Instagram digital art gurus monetizing their work and showing off thousands of followers, and suddenly comparison creeps in. It can feel hard to come up with original ideas, or to believe there’s room for you at all. The good news is you’re not alone and I am so excited to help you!
If you’re looking for low-pressure creative prompts, you can explore my free creative resources here.
What is Procreate?
Procreate is a digital illustration app designed for Apple iPads. It allows you to draw, sketch, paint, letter, and create digital artwork using your finger or an Apple Pencil. For my friends on a budget, I’ve found that a pen-shaped stylus can work just fine too.
What sets Procreate apart is how accessible it feels. You don’t need prior experience with digital art software or a deep understanding of design tools to begin. The app is built to be intuitive, which makes it a great place to explore creativity without feeling overwhelmed.
No matter your personal style or experience level, there is a place for you and your creativity here. Whether you’re doodling for fun, coloring to unwind, or slowly learning digital illustration, Procreate meets you where you are.
Many creatives use Procreate for simple doodling and coloring pages, but it can also be used to create digital products like stickers, patterns, and other downloadable designs.
What you actually need to get started with Procreate:
- iPad/Apple Touchscreen Device
The only non-negotiable when it comes to using Procreate is an iPad. You don’t need the largest, fanciest, or latest tablet — it just needs to be an Apple device that supports the app. If you’re only looking to get started, it’s completely okay to save bigger upgrades for later, once your work becomes more serious or consistent.
Special note: There is also a Procreate Pocket app for iPhone users who don’t currently have an iPad. The screen is smaller, but the quality still comes from your creativity — not the size of the device.
- The Procreate App
The Procreate app is a one-time purchase that stays linked to your Apple ID. If you upgrade or purchase new Apple devices in the future, you won’t need to buy it again.
At the time of writing this, Procreate costs $12.99 in the App Store, while Procreate Pocket for iPhones is $5.99. There are no in-app purchases, and you receive full access from day one.
- Stylus (Apple pencil)
The next thing you need is a way to sketch, draw, paint—whatever your creative style looks like. Most Apple users prefer the Apple Pencil (as long as it’s compatible with the iPad you’re using), but I want to reassure you that any stylus will work just fine.
In fact, my first commissioned Procreate drawings were created on a 9th-generation rose gold iPad (with a home button) using a $3 stylus from Target. I’ll never look down on higher-cost tools—I’ve been able to work my way up to them myself—but you can’t put a quality scale on creativity and determination.
If you’re just starting out, use what you have. You can always upgrade later.
What you DON’T need to get started:
I want you to take a minute before you feel overwhelmed and remember that you can do hard things. Right now, you’re just gathering information—and that’s all this stage needs to be.
You don’t need to drop two thousand dollars right away. Any simple iPad that runs Procreate will do.
You also don’t need to fill your Procreate library immediately. Eventually, you may want to purchase brush packs or even create your own, but the app already includes plenty to work with while you’re beginning.
And finally, you don’t need to be a professional artist to start. Art is a learned skill. Everyone begins somewhere, and growth comes from practice, not perfection.
What to try first in Procreate:
When you first open Procreate, it can feel like a lot. There are brushes, layers, tools, and menus you’ve never touched before. That’s normal. You don’t need to understand everything right away to begin.
A good place to start is simply playing.
Try doodling with one brush. Draw simple shapes. Scribble lines just to see how the brush responds. You can experiment with color, change the brush size, or adjust opacity without any goal in mind. This stage isn’t about creating something impressive—it’s about getting comfortable.
Coloring is another easy entry point. Many beginners start by coloring pre-made pages or simple sketches, which allows you to learn the app without worrying about drawing from scratch.
Tracing can also be a helpful learning tool. Tracing helps you understand hand movement, pressure, and how Procreate responds to your stylus. It’s a way to practice, not a shortcut—and it’s perfectly okay while you’re learning.
You might also spend time exploring layers. Turning layers on and off, rearranging them, or drawing on separate layers can help you understand how flexible Procreate really is.
There’s no right order and no checklist to complete. Pick one thing, try it for a few minutes, and then step away if you need to. Progress comes from curiosity, not pressure.
This is an example of the kind of low-pressure doodling I started with:
Common beginner fears (and why they’re normal)
Almost everyone who opens Procreate for the first time has the same thoughts:
I’m not good at this.
Everyone else’s work looks better.
I don’t even know what I’m doing.
These fears don’t mean you’re failing — they mean you’re learning.
One of the biggest challenges for beginners isn’t the app itself, but comparison. Social media makes it easy to forget that the art we see online is often the result of years of practice, trial, and growth. What you’re seeing is not someone’s beginning — it’s their middle.
Another common fear is feeling lost inside the app. Procreate has a lot of tools, and it’s okay if they don’t make sense right away. You’re not expected to know what everything does on day one. Learning comes from repetition, not memorization.
It’s also normal to worry that your work doesn’t look the way you imagined it would. That gap between vision and ability exists for every artist. Over time, that gap narrows — but only if you allow yourself to keep creating through it.
If you feel unsure, frustrated, or slow, you’re not doing procreate wrong. You’re doing it honestly.
How Procreate fits into your creative life
Procreate doesn’t have to be something you master quickly or use in one specific way. It can meet you exactly where you are.
For some people, Procreate becomes a space for creative rest — a place to unwind, color, or doodle without expectations. For others, it grows into a skill-building tool, helping them learn illustration, lettering, or digital design at their own pace.
And for some, Procreate eventually becomes part of a creative income. Stickers, prints, digital downloads, or content creation are all possibilities down the road. But none of those outcomes are required for your time in Procreate to be meaningful.
You don’t have to decide what Procreate will be for you right now. It’s okay if today it’s just a place to explore. Creative paths don’t need to be rushed to be valid.
WHAT’S NEXT?
If you’re feeling inspired, the next step is simply to open Procreate and try one small thing. You don’t need a plan or a finished idea — just curiosity.
As you grow more comfortable, you may find yourself wanting to learn specific tools or techniques. When that happens, you can look for tutorials that match what you’re curious about, instead of trying to learn everything at once.
If you’d like extra encouragement, I share beginner-friendly resources, creative prompts, and gentle guidance for learning digital tools at your own pace. You’re always welcome to explore those when you’re ready.
Most importantly, remember this: starting doesn’t require confidence. Confidence is built by starting.
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