Welcome to our inaugural Procreate series. In this pinnacle article, we'll outline some of the benefits and surface layer tips of using digital tools as both archives and working logs for our tattoo designs.
Procreate has emerged as a game-changer as it changes the way any artist can store, reuse, and update their work when their primary canvas walks up and leaves after a project is complete.
But what exactly is Procreate?
It's a powerful digital illustration app available exclusively on iOS. Owing to its intuitive interface, a wide array of tools and brushes, and high-resolution capabilities, Procreate has become increasingly popular among various artists, including tattoo artists.
Designing tattoo stencils with Procreate opens up a world of creativity and precision.
But how does one get started?
First, it's important to familiarize yourself with the app's interface. Procreate offers a variety of tools and brushes, including different line tools, shading brushes, and texture tools, each of which can add depth and dimension to your tattoo design.
Traditionally, tattoo artists have relied on hand-drawn stencils to guide their designs on skin. While this method has its merits, it also presents certain challenges. For one, designing complex or intricate tattoos can be a time-consuming process. Additionally, alterations or revisions can be cumbersome. Enter Procreate, a digital tool that allows artists to design, edit, and perfect their designs with unparalleled ease and precision.
Designing tattoos on Procreate starts with understanding its features. From brush customization to layer management, Procreate offers tools that can be instrumental in creating tattoo stencils. Here, we share a few basic tips for beginners:
Tip 1: Stacks - Organize your designs using the Stacks feature. This is essentially a filing system, allowing you to group and categorize your projects for easy access.
Tip 2: Canvas Size Selection - Procreate offers a variety of canvas sizes. For tattoo stencils, the A4 size is commonly used as it closely mirrors the size of a sheet of paper.
Tip 3: Brush Size and Opacity - Procreate’s flexible brush settings enable you to adjust both the size and opacity of your brush. This is key for creating the varied line weights and shading typical in tattoo designs.
Tip 4: Layers - Layers allow you to build your design progressively. You can sketch out your concept on one layer, refine it on the next, and finalize your outline on another. This feature is particularly useful when making changes or revisions to your design.
Once you have finalized your tattoo design on Procreate, the next step is to transfer it onto the skin as a stencil.
This process is similar to the traditional method of stencil transfer, using stencil paper and transfer solution. While the procedure is fairly straightforward, it's crucial to take precautions to maintain the health and safety of your client.
When compared to traditional methods, Procreate offers a slew of advantages. For one, it streamlines the design process, allowing for quicker design creation and easy revisions. Moreover, its digital platform means your designs can be stored and organized efficiently, unlike paper stencils that can be easily damaged or lost.
Freehand tattooing – creating a tattoo design directly on the skin without a stencil – is considered an advanced skill in tattooing. Procreate can be a valuable tool for artists aiming to master this skill. By practicing designs on Procreate first, artists can improve their confidence and precision in freehand work.
As the digital revolution continues to transform various industries, the world of tattoo artistry is no exception. Procreate is leading this charge, offering tattoo artists a modern and efficient tool for design creation. With its ability to streamline the design process and open up new possibilities for artistic expression, Procreate is set to shape the future of tattoo design.
In closing of our first piece on Procreate and Tattoos, please note that each tip contains a wealth of advantages to the modern tattoo artist. Every set or category of information has a deeper subset and in this case, there are a few more key components such as Procreate swatches and the expansion of why organizing our artwork in stacks is efficient.
Let's deep dive! :)
Getting Started with Procreate: A Beginner's Guide for Tattoo Artists on Canvas Selection
Procreate Stacks VS Traditional Artwork Storage: A Comprehensive Guide for Tattoo Artists
By Paul Park, The Worldwide Tattoo Supply Team, on July 28th, 2023
Please be sure to check out our links below for additional pieces on in the scope of tattoos, stencils, printers, and Procreate swatches.
Order a Wireless Tattoo Stencil Machine here.
Will Tattoos be Hanging in Museums Someday?
Understanding the Cultural Significance of Tribal Tattoo Designs
Everything You Need to Know About Wireless Tattoo Stencil Printers and Stencil Paper
How to Stop Tattoo Stencils From Smearing
Can You Make Tattoo Stencils With Regular Paper?
Top Tips for Using Tattoo Transfer Paper Without a Thermal Copier