Procreate is such a versatile app that you can use to create many forms of digital artwork. No matter what your project, you most likely will have a photograph or picture which forms a basis of your inspiration.
There are many ways in which you can incorporate an image into your project. You may wish to use it as a reference, and use elements as inspiration. This is possible in a couple of ways. Going one step further, you might want to actually trace all or part of an image, there are also easy ways to do this without the reference picture showing up in your final artwork.
In this quick article, we’ll give you some handy tips and show you how to use images with Procreate in a few different ways.
Inserting a Reference Image to Procreate
Inserting an image on your Procreate canvas, as a reference, is super easy. Adding an image in this way won’t make it appear directly on your artwork, but in a separate box which you can move around as you wish.
The first step is to tap on the actions tool, which is the first icon (the one which looks like a wrench) on the top left hand Procreate menu.
Once this menu is open, you’ll see options along the top of it, underneath the actions title.
Tap on the second option, which is called canvas.
You’ll now see various options, the settings in this menu are all ways in which you can edit your canvas, or use guides to help you.
In the middle of the menu, you’ll see an option simply called reference. Turn the toggle next to this, to on – so it turns blue.
Once you’ve done this, you’ll see a box pop up on the screen, on top of your canvas. It’ll be titled reference and should just be a white box.
At the bottom of this box, there are two options – canvas and image.
Ensure that the reference image which you want to use is saved on your tablet in the camera roll or photo gallery before the next step.
On the menu at the bottom of the reference image box, tap image, the second option along. You’ll see that the option has now turned blue and a button in the middle of the box has appeared, saying import image.
Tap on the button saying import image. You should now be taken to your tablet’s photo gallery/camera roll. Select the image of your choice, and it should appear within the reference box!
Hold down on the top section of the reference image box if you wish to move it around your canvas. If you want to resize the reference image box, hold and drag the bottom left corner in or out, with your stylus.
If you want to resize or move the actual image within the reference box, you can use two fingers to make the picture smaller or bigger, or move it – as you would with an element on your regular Procreate canvas.
If you want to change your reference image, or clear it – double tap on the box towards the top, and you should see a menu appear underneath the title reference, saying clear and import.
Tap clear, and your image will disappear for you to import a new one; or you can simply tap import to add your next one.
To get rid of your reference image box altogether, go back up to the actions menu and toggle the reference switch to off, you’ll then see the box fly away!
Using a Reference Image Directly From Your Camera Roll
Another way to use a reference image, is to open both your Procreate app and the camera roll simultaneously.
First, open your camera roll and ensure the photo which you’d like to use is in there, ready.
To open both apps at the same time, open Procreate and swipe up from the bottom of your tablet’s screen. You should see a menu pop up with your most recently used apps.
Select the camera roll app from the small menu. You’ll now see the screen split, so you can view both apps at the same time. Change the size of whichever app view by dragging the edge (in the centre).
This view isn’t for everyone, and it’s typically easier to use Procreate’s built in reference image tool, however, this option comes in handy if you want to switch between multiple images which you’re using for reference.
Tracing an Image on Your Canvas
Another great way to use images to enhance (or simplify!) your digital artwork, is to trace them. You can easily do this by adding an image to your canvas and then tracing over it on a different layer.
Tip: be mindful with images if you choose to trace them, as you have to be very careful not to use other people’s artwork or copyrighted images. I always use Pixabay to source reference images, it’s a really great site with thousands of photos, which you are free to use for personal or commercial purposes.
Once you’re ready, tap on the actions tool at the top of your Procreate window, and then under the add section, select insert a photo.
You’ll then have the option to select a photo from your camera roll. Choose the one which you want to trace and insert it. It will then see it appear in the middle of your canvas.
The transform menu will appear along the bottom of your screen, you can use this to resize or reposition your image, ready for tracing.
Once you have your master image ready, tap on the layers panel. You’ll see that your inserted image appears as it’s own layer.
Tap on this layer, and select rename. This step is optional but I like to do it so that I don’t get confused.
Once you’ve done this, tap the + to add a new layer, ensuring that it’s placed above your image layer.
Go back to the image layer, and tap on the N which is next to the check box on the right hand side. You’ll see the opacity slider, use this to make your image lighter.
Go back to your newest layer, which should be the very top one – you’re now ready for tracing!
Select your desired brush and colour, and draw around the edge of your image, however you want. I’ve just drawn over the edge of my pinecone roughly to show an example.
If you want to see your traced drawing without the reference image underneath, go into the layers panel and uncheck the tick box on the image layer, this will hide it.
When you’re ready to continue with your artwork, you can either keep the layer hidden, or you can swipe left on it to delete it.
We hope that you found these tips handy for your digital artwork in Procreate! Please let us know how you like to use reference images, and what works of art you’ve created, in the comments.
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