Drawing Comics in Procreate from Start to Finish

In this video I walk through all the steps I take to make a comic from beginning to end in Procreate using the iPad Pro and the Apple Pencil. I walk through how to make panels and how I like to do lettering all the way to the pencils, inks and colors.
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The brushes I use are the Fude pen:
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and for the textured color wash I used the Gwosh brush in this set
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My Patrion is here:
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And if you want to know what tool I use to make my art or videos you can check that out here:
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[@scientistservant]

YO I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE LINES SNAPPING LIKE THAT THAT'S AWESOME THANK YOU SO MUCH???

[@quint96]

SAME LIKE DUDE?!?! YOU COULDVE TOLD ME THAT EARLIER (It felt like i have discovered a hidden power lmao)

[@itsalexclark]

This was fun to watch

[@addgenv370]

itsAlexClark ikr, i had bo idea u watch him i watch u all the time!

[@thatberginladgaming9195]

itsAlexClark hi Alex 🔥🔥annoying kid

[@n_r_v]

itsAlexClark I like procreate *what I said before I started freaking out because I realized it was Alex Clark.* OMG HIIII ALEX

[@truespectros]

itsAlexClark ALEX!!!1

[@crudecube]

Alex, quite unexpected comment

[@KevinTumlinson]

For the panel frames, I've been able to draw that frame and resize it, then duplicate it to a new layer and resize that. Once you have an entire page you can merge all those layers.

[@antinbath]

Really helpful insight. Thank you for sharing. I know this video is a few years old now. For the panel layout Canvas > Drawing Guide with Drawing Assist is likely a quicker method for the panels with the current version. Should mean less time drawing the panel lines and erasing as it can be done with the 2D grid as a guide and drawing assist will snap your line automatically.

[@taylorenglish6237]

THANK YOU! You saved me so much time.

[@SuperSanch0]

Yes! I've been waiting for a video like this exact video. Would love for you to do more of these. Helps me learn a lot on how I can improve on using procreate.

[@tw6599]

DUDE! If you want to use color drop on a new layer, create the new layer then drag the reference layer to the right with two fingers and you'll be able to fill in things on another layer

[@TMPreRaff]

DUDE!

[@aletoons1596]

dud

[@mael3464]

du

[@snowstarsparkle]

d

[@realmahadeo]

‏‏‎

[@salmabaig3280]

This is an amazing intro to drawing comics on Procreate. Thank you so much!

[@LolaBeM3]

Lol at the "coloring like some kind of peasant" comment.

[@Maxandmaury]

I have recently converted to using Procreate to create my comic strip (instead of pencils, inks, and Copics) and yeah, lettering is one of the hardest parts for me. Especially creating the word balloons. Thanks for the great video, I'll check out the brush and MediBang.

[@thebradcolbow]

Yeah, I end up pulling it over to the desktop most of the time to do the lettering and balloons, just much faster.

[@chapicer]

baloes brush would not be a viable alternative?

[@3polygons]

I think the video is a really interesting and creative solution/exercise, but in my work, I always keep the k.i.s.s rule. There's the power of the iPad (well, and even more in a Windows or Apple machine), you have available apps for everything. Doing it painful in stages where it shouldn't be (is just a matter of the relative youth of the iOS and the app, and due to it being just a tablet) might cut too much time and remove too much fun out of it. After all, also time is money (even if don't charge by the hour.) . In 2D/3D, am too used to switch all time between many applications to know that the typical disadvantages are small (exchange formats, bit of a loosing focus at he beginning, etc) compared to what is gained in time and ease of work. He indeed kind of says he does so, typically. When an app , in my desktop, doesn't do all what I want, I don't loose time with a complex workaround, a mixed workflow is best, as otherwise frustration might show up, and mountains of hours lost, when trying to do all with the same tool, unless is sth like Photoshop. Anyway, when working at companies, you are forced to do so (work even with very crude alpha apps apart from your fav tool) often, due to external reasons, and the habit make the matter of swapping totally natural. That besides iPad is not yet, (unless am missing some important info) yet fully independent in a professional workflow, so, anyway the mix is needed. Still, I give a lot of value to this video, as at some point you might be forced to work all inside Procreate, for whatever the situation or circumstances. IMO wouldn't be usually the case.

[@hystericallover5989]

Because why not, I downloaded one or two speech bubble brushes for Procreate. I don’t make comics, and doubt that I’m gonna get that much use out of them, but they’re there in case I need them?

[@julialeslie5084]

Thank you so much. I've just recently started drawing on my iPad using Procreate and was unsure how to create comic panels. This was a great guide and I highly enjoyed the video :)

[@imogenbegns]

I like how I zoned out because I was reading the comic. Good comic.

[@gauravvikalp]

The brush link is broken :(

[@coolkoreamag]

OMG such a great way to do it !!! I was going to do the panels on Photoshop and then send them via Airdrop to the iPad and draw onto them but this way is actually much fun :) thanks so much, very good tutorial !!!

[@deletedjkcndsnsdnkcj]

this helped a lot since procreate is my only drawing program *thank you !!!*

[@Zerger]

Wow, so many layers of detail a peasant such as myself was unaware of.

[@CrazyWillTechShow]

Man really like your channel. Your the reason I bought an iPad Pro. Love it thanks. It's the tool I bin looking for.

[@andyklyen6885]

Very useful demo thanks Brad - I want to create lots of rectangles and your method of drawing and resizing your panels was helpful. Thanks!

[@The-Ducky-is-Here]

Thanks for being committed to one program in this video! The tips and advice were great.

[@foxgoblin9589]

btw u dont have to duplicate the linart layer to use the fill tool, just set the lineart layer as a "reference" and then u can fill it on another layer. also u can add text in procreate, and i think u can also import ur own font too.

[@vampbat]

I think 6 years ago, this was the only option in Procreate. I am glad it is different now!!! No line tool….? No text? My goodness!

[@toby6833]

I’m confused on how to get the fude pen because when I clicked the link it brought me to a page for alternate apps for procreate

[@deitrajackson8552]

Thank you for this informative video! I just discovered your channel and I quickly subscribed. I used to draw my own comics years ago and, while I wanted to pick it up again, I wanted to learn to use technology. I can't wait to get my drawing pad (from your reviews I recently read), and get started again! Again, thank you!

[@tesla_autopilot]

Your tone and attitude in your videos, especially when you're talking in front of the camera, reminds me of JJ McCullough.

[@jeremysmith9696]

ohhhhh the irony of start to finish in procreate, but the first part was drawn on paper...LOL. Great video though, I'm new to procreate and this helped a lot. Loved it!

[@handthattakes]

omg. this literally answered all of my questions

[@taklahirobuthan3420]

GREAT Video!!! Support and love! ALso Bro you don't need to detroy your linework by drop filling in the colors, just select the "reference" feature in the layers which allows you to drop colors but in different layers but with the constraint of the linework, allowing you to quick drag and drop colors(or paint bucket if you wanna call it that)

[@Dluque96]

You can use the ink layer as a reference layer (drag the layer to the right with 2 fingers) and use color drop on another layer, you don't need to duplicate your ink layer in order to use color drop.

[@thebradcolbow]

Someone else mentioned that. i totally need to try that out. I had no idea.

[@Dluque96]

Yeah most of procreate's features are hard to find, I know of that one because I'm a huge nerd and read the manual XD

[@idkyettbhok]

There is a lettering tool go to the tool bar, press the wrench. The. In action there should be a line that says “add text”, first edit it ( there is a botton on the top right) there you chose the font, size, if you want an outline,and to change the colour press the colour botton.

[@sunnysaldana3016]

This video LITERALLY SAVED my final school proyect.

[@megansalt]

it seems so much easier and enjoyable to do this on paper. for the panels, one can use an old fashion photocopy machine at work

[@nico9195]

Hi Brad, great video ! Someone created a square brush for procreate, it's not perfect but it's definitely easier than draw the panels manually :)

[@Scarshadow666]

I've also seen people share free comicbook panel templates for Procreate online (can't link their sites myself since I don't know if KZbin will shadowban my comment for having links, but they should be easy to find with a quick browser search).

[@jpunterminse9368]

love this video very much! new to procreate and this was really usefull. I'm also having trouble making my comics look clean and finished. Would love a video on that!

[@matki3834]

Thanks mate! Ive been researching to buy either wacom one or ipad 2019. Now im convinced to buy an ipad 2019 becoz my artstyle is mostly cartoons. Thanks again!

[@makarone]

Good way to draw panels on the ipad is the vector app called iDraw, ( or Inkpad), or Autodesk vector drawing app. You can export pdf, or copy and paste group from there to the procreate. But it can take time to find a right size of the frames.

[@CharlesMcKeever]

Excellent end-to-end walk through. Thank you for taking the time to put this together. I love that you did everything in one app. Even with the challenges to create panels, it was a good show of what can be done in Procreate. After watching the video, it inspired me to draw for the rest of the evening. Btw, have you considered creating panels on individual layers so you can move them around and resize them? It might be worth having a collection of 'common' sizes to work with. You might even create a stock project that you could duplicate each time you start a new comic. Just something I was thinking as you were sharing the panel creation challenges. Thanks again.

[@thebradcolbow]

That's a good idea. Someone else mentioned using a brush that makes squares. I had never thought of that before, but that could be a huge time saver too.

[@Deadcat323]

That comment about mediabang has saved me, so much time, thank you!!!!

[@MarioGalardo]

Perhaps you can use this, once you're done inking the panels (frame), go to your layer and choose select, it will make the selection based on your outlines. Use the selection to create a new mask for when you're painting. That way there's less cleanup to be done. My 2cents. Cheers!

[@ghouling1111]

UPDATE- you can now draw a rough box in one go- do not take pen off-screen and hold and it snaps into a clean square shape.

[@vqlentertainment]

Thank you I got my iPad Pro then started doing this

[@vonniemichelle3670]

Your videos make me so happy. 😊

[@frozen_tortus]

I love the style of the comic, its grate!

[@wallo-dallo7394]

Great not grate!

[@frozen_tortus]

@@wallo-dallo7394 Grate, thanks!

[@soulpro23]

Thank you so much for teaching and sharing, your helping me realize one of my dreams

[@MattHalpain]

super cool process ! I love and enjoy art videos on youtube.

[@simonjohnson2897]

Great video, but there are several changes to procreate now (2019) that replace some of the advice - There’s a new shape creator and you can create a reference layer for colouring

[@BeatriceChevez]

Beautifully done, I love your lines, very neat! I don't have an Ipad but I'll still try these tips with my Samsung SP-Pen 🤓✍🏽️

[@Dickator007]

Nice video but you tend to make paneling seem laborious when it it could be shown to be a lot simpler using copy paste and section tool

[@Glamrgrl104]

Thank you the only reason I wasn't going to try procreate was the comic making. Wanting one program to do everything color inking and comic panels. I currently have medibang paint and ibis. But curious if procreate is as great as everybody says it is.

[@madchencraig5395]

Thank you so much for this video! I needed something like this and Ive always wanted to make comics, this helps so much!

[@Abc-qs8ir]

You can use a lasso tool so when you colour, the brush won't go outside the selected area :)

[@LimzimArt_Digitalpainting]

so sophisticated dude

[@midnighthorizon1477]

You should do this again but on the newer update

[@NayveeMan]

Yay for procreate adding text!

[@Holyundine]

Thanks alot Brad! Excellent video.

[@dickcastle]

oh this looks dope. i have ideas for cartoons. problem is im not very good at drawing and dont know what im doingm anything that simplifies the process is perfect for a noob like me...

[@allshine23]

This is so satisfy to watch.

[@secondnatures]

fantastic, very useful! Also big thanks for the links!

[@suvroj645]

Hello Brad, I really like your videos. Since I'm new to drawing and doing comics and on Windows, will you be able to make a video on an alternative comics software for windows, or maybe MediBang Paint. I guess there are lots of users like me who will benefit from it. Thank You!

[@MaiElizabeth]

I use Phonto for lettering.

[@jacobdavid]

Good tutorial. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@dissonantiacognitiva7438]

excellent videos, it even gives me a non artist the notion I could do art ;-)

[@Chadley10]

This is fantastic. Thank you!

[@YOURSTRUEST]

Brad how do I download the pen-fude pen from the forum link to my iPad Pro to use?

[@GQ3MindSpeaks]

I want to make mini zine comics (8.5x11 paper) in procreate only. How would I created the 8 panel layout in procreate?

[@zor5559]

The link the Fude pen is broken (video description). It looks like another website hijacked the domain of the Procreate forum and redirected to an article about digital illustration.

[@voidslave1]

Oh my god! This is so helpful! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

[@gadsdad]

Very helpful, thank you sir. God bless:-)

[@paulmay6483]

Brett Garner is

[@mr.e3768]

I wish they would show us the actual start to finish so we could follow along. As in exactly what brush we should use, etc...

[@RichieVitale]

4:20 minutes and you mentioned Metiday for drawing panels. Can you please leave a link? Or is it even in existence anymore?

[@ConCorDesign]

Re: Painting over ink layer. Is it not advantageous to use the reference layer option?

[@khaeruljamal8731]

This is great!

[@itsswabrihere8299]

Bridget liked this

[@thuaners]

Thanks so much for this video! Very helpful!

[@fxguidetips]

Thank you so much Brad for sharing this!

[@niladrisarkar3080]

This is just awesome!!

[@WreakingOfSmoke]

Good video! I swear I'm always learning more things on the different selection tool options that Procreate has. Also, you mentioned not wanting to risk ruining an ink layer with dumping colors into it. Can't you use the ability to set a layer as a reference layer to let you dump colors in the correct spots on an empty layer? Keep up the good work!

[@GiancarloDiMassaIschia]

I was just reporting the same thing as @Kaientist - use the ref layer function, it is made just for that. Keep up the good work, your videos are amazing!

[@thebradcolbow]

WHAT!?! I need to try this!

[@GiancarloDiMassaIschia]

If you want to fill to a different layer than the one your line work is on, open the LAYERS menu and swipe your LINEWORK layer RIGHT with TWO fingers. The layer will turn PURPLE to indicate that it's now your Reference Layer. You can now ColorDrop to ANOTHER layer using the bounds from your Reference Layer.

[@JohnnyLarocque]

BEST! Thank you SO much.

[@laurenleach4576]

Love your lessons. Taking your beginner class on udemy. My question here, is what tool draws comic frames faster? You mention there is one…

[@chrisdibuja]

Great work, Brad!!

[@maximusothunderman]

Can you make tutorials for Sketchbook on iPad?

[@DavidWagelmans]

awesome videos man. really love your channel. not a creator myself but really entertaining :)

[@LolaBeM3]

I was SO excited to see this on my feed! I love the drawing process videos. Thanks Brad. ^_^

[@jacobdavid]

I had a question on drawing the comics. When drawing the panel, can't you draw one square large to fit the whole screen, draw your character in and pencil in the dialogue and then resize it to fit the rest of the other panel squares? Can't that be done? That means, one panel square per layer, drawn really large, then shrunk to the normal size. Please let me know if that can be done and proportionately reduced?

[@thatchipmunksings]

Thanks for the brush!

[@terrellujah]

I’m thinking about getting an iPad Pro just for this

[@canelillard]

So helpful! Ty

[@Sawa607]

That was awesome. Thank you for sharing.

[@user-dj7km6ud7w]

I love it

[@campkawaii]

I plan on converting to digital drawing to draw my comic. Paper, ink, import, redraw, etc etc is too long of a process to continue my series I'm working on

[@NickJAllott]

I like how you spell fnish.

[@thebradcolbow]

Ha, I did that for the search engines.

[@jngarrettart]

No pressure at all, of course, but if you’re ever stuck on ideas or this sounds fun, I think it’d be cool to see an updated version of this using some of the features that have since been added to the app. “Quick Shapes” could be good for speech bubbles and panels, “Drawing Assist” is also a great panel tool, and of course, there’s text now too. Anyhoo, just an idea.

[@boandcoentertainment5992]

Good work

[@GuzForster]

You'll be happy to know that now Procreate supports text! :D

[@artareon]

he reviewed that update recently :)

[@PhilChandlerArts]

2:23 I don't see that menu at the bottom. Was that in the older version?

[@saracardoza4755]

By using this method, if you ever wanted to print the comic is that possible?

[@jaylinggoolsby4740]

I was wondering what brush you use... :)

[@sheldonlacsina4305]

Great tutorial. I watch it every now and then to get inspired. Is there a way to get the fude pen?

[@williampardlow5988]

Thank You so much.👍🏽

[@3polygons]

Absolutely amazing to see any actual production work (I agree, I'd have just done the panel margins + lettering in whatever design app in the ipad, but it is indeed an interesting exercise) done with iPad Pro, The Pencil and ProCreate. I would have given 10 likes if that'd ever be possible in KZbin (am also a comic maker). One very strange question I have for you, if you are so kind to answer it : Apart from being insanely jealous of your hardware, I am very curious about how do you feel (physically, not emotionally, lol) after some serious hours of work. I mean, the screen is small, after all, probably the body position not the ideal, and if you have tired eyes (I quite do), it might be more punishing. I don't know, there's few professionals (maybe as most illustrators might be not past the 40s, lol) commenting about this specific matter and the iPad Pro + Pencil while illustrating. Indeed, little to none either with the cintiqs, while is a bit too like that compared to drawing in an intuos Pro with a large (24 - 27") screen at +40cm distance. Am at the point of having the ok-to-throw budget for a Yiynova/Huion/XP pen or whatever similar, OR just grab this beast-beauty, provided its great autonomy, portability, pencil feel and being such a compact solution...

[@thebradcolbow]

Yes, my eyes do get tired from time to time. I spent most of Wednesday drawing. I'm usually not drawing all day, maybe 2 or 3 hours max at a time so I don't have the extended wear and tear some illustrators get. I switch positions a bit when working, sometimes it's on my desk, sometimes on my lap (I'll put my feet up and recline while watching something). The one part of me that is starting to wear and tear are my hands. I've had to loosen my grip on styluses in the last year because I grip to hard and it hurts my index finger over time.

[@3polygons]

Amazing answer, thank's a lot. :) . More or less what I thought, now more confirmed. Not the ideal setup for my +12 hours a day... (with pauses). I guess I'll go non portable wiith a huion GT 220 V2, yiynova or XP tablet. thanks! The grip thing sounds a bit like the Carpian tunnel (however is the English term) type of issues. In my experience: no carpian or real issue, but needed to train (be conscious all the time, or every chunk of time) the FULLY relax pose of the wrist, neck, shoulders-back, and fingers thing. Despite the long work day hours, have no physical issues (apart from tired eyesight, probably doing mostly with the age, tho).. and after watching/helping with some dramatic issues observed in a friend, is about a habit of letting your hand like dumb-dead, if you can say so. You don't need body tension in any part of your body while working digitally, as that's what brings a world of pain...Stretching the palm (from pulling the fingers backwards, also in the other direction, and stretching/relaxing in general) is very helpful, indeed, the usual carpian tunnel advices to alleviate or fully eliminate the issues and pain, IMO are quite usable for the issue you mention (relax and stretch the fingers every now and then, and avoid tense grip). But mostly grab the pen loosely, it does not affect the stroke or expression, kindda more of a psychological thing, really, after training the hand fully relaxed, it works the same or better. :) IMO, a larger tablet (ie, a cintiq or Large Intuos) always allows the back to be more extended/relaxed, so less tension in back, arms and shoulders, and I can imagine a longer distance from the screen can also be a good thing. But is key to know directly from a person actually working with a 13" tablet. :)

[@thebradcolbow]

+3polygons I also have a standing desk, I don't draw at it much, but I do a lot of my writing there. I change positions a lot during the day.

[@3polygons]

And you alternate as well with the UX job, that's I guess a big change in posture, hand usage, etc, I doubt you would ever have severe back/neck/hands problems (or I hope so ;) )

[@danieljuno810]

Thank you I soooo needed this

[@teddyhed]

Hey Brad, I hope you’re doing okay! 😇 I noticed you said at the end that you would have to transfer this page to your desktop to resize it. Would you have to do that if you had used a surface pro? Is this something they fixed in newer iPads? Inquiring minds would love to know! 😊 thanks

[@seanohaimheirgin1047]

Check out Autodesk Graphic for doing the frames - just copy and paste into Procreate. Works great for any hard shapes such as circles etc that you need as well.

[@thebradcolbow]

I have done that and you're right it works. It is a little awkward to get it the right size because once it's pulled in you can't resize it up without it looking blurry.

[@seanohaimheirgin1047]

What I do is copy my image out of Procreate and paste it into Graphic as a greyed out template. I can then create the shapes over that for scale.

[@anoojpai8333]

great vid man