How to Make Procreate Black and White: A Fun and Friendly Guide

Unlock the Monochrome Magic of Procreate in Just a Few Simple Steps!

Welcome to our guide on how to make Procreate black and white. If you’re eager to explore the world of monochrome art and give your creations a timeless and classic look, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of transforming your Procreate designs into stunning black and white masterpieces. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, this step-by-step tutorial will help you unleash your creativity in a whole new way.

Introduction

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of making Procreate black and white, let’s take a moment to understand the importance and allure of monochrome art. Black and white artworks have a certain charm that can evoke nostalgia, create a sense of elegance, and place a strong emphasis on composition and form. By stripping away color, you can focus on the play of light and shadow, textures, and intricate details that might otherwise be overshadowed.

“Color is everything, black and white is more.” – Dominic Rouse

Now that we’ve established why black and white art is worth exploring, let’s get started on the journey of unleashing the visual power of Procreate in monochrome.

Open Your Artwork

To begin with, open the Procreate app on your device and select the artwork you want to transform. Whether it’s a sketch, an illustration, or a digital painting, any masterpiece can undergo a stunning black and white makeover!

Why Choose Procreate?

Procreate is a highly popular and powerful digital art app exclusively available for iOS devices. It offers a wide range of features and tools that allow artists to create stunning works of art. With its intuitive interface, extensive brush library, and impressive layering capabilities, Procreate provides a seamless and enjoyable experience for artists of all levels.

Exploring the Procreate Gallery

Once you open Procreate, you’ll be greeted with the gallery screen. This is where all your artworks are stored and organized. Browse through your gallery and select the artwork you want to transform into black and white. If you don’t have any existing artwork, you can create a new canvas by tapping the “+” icon.

Duplicate Your Layer

Once you’ve opened your artwork, it’s essential to duplicate the layer before proceeding. This step ensures that you always have a copy of your original artwork in case you want to revert back to color or make any adjustments later on.

Why Duplicate the Layer?

Duplicating the layer provides a safety net for your original artwork. By creating a duplicate layer, you can freely make changes and experiment with different effects without affecting the original image. This way, you have the flexibility to compare the black and white version with the colored version or fine-tune your adjustments without the fear of losing your initial work.

Duplicating a Layer in Procreate

To duplicate a layer in Procreate, follow these simple steps:

Select the layer you want to duplicate by tapping on it.
In the Layer Options menu (represented by three horizontal lines), tap “Duplicate”.
A new layer identical to the selected layer will be created above it.

Convert to Grayscale

Now comes the exciting part! To transform your artwork into black and white, you need to convert it to grayscale. This process removes all color information, leaving you with a monochrome version of your artwork.

The Beauty of Grayscale

Grayscale images, also known as black and white or monochrome images, consist of shades of gray ranging from pure black to pure white. By removing color, you strip away distractions and put the focus on the essential elements of your artwork, such as composition, values, and textures. This allows you to create visually impactful pieces that emphasize contrast and form.

Converting to Grayscale in Procreate

Procreate offers a simple and straightforward method to convert your artwork to grayscale:

Select the duplicated layer.
Tap on the adjustments tool (the wand icon) located in the top menu.
In the Adjustments menu, choose “Black & White” from the available options.
Adjust the sliders to achieve the desired level of contrast and brightness for your artwork.
Tap “Done” to apply the changes.

Fine-tune the Tones

Now that you’ve successfully converted your artwork to black and white, you may want to fine-tune the tones to achieve the desired effect. Procreate offers various adjustment tools that can help you make further enhancements and create a stunning monochrome masterpiece.

Enhancing Contrast with Brightness/Contrast

Brightness and contrast play crucial roles in creating visually striking black and white art. Adjusting these elements can significantly impact how your artwork appears. Procreate’s Brightness/Contrast adjustment tool allows you to increase or decrease the overall brightness and contrast of your image, bringing out the details and enhancing the overall visual impact.

Using the Brightness/Contrast Tool

To access the Brightness/Contrast adjustment tool in Procreate, follow these steps:

Select the layer you want to adjust.
Navigate to the Adjustments menu by tapping on the wand icon in the top menu.
Choose “Brightness/Contrast” from the available options.
Adjust the sliders to increase or decrease the overall brightness and contrast.
Observe the changes in real-time and adjust until you achieve the desired effect.
Tap “Done” to apply the changes.

Refining the Tonal Range with Curves

The Curves adjustment tool is a powerful tool that allows you to manipulate the tonal range of your artwork. By adjusting the curve graph, you can fine-tune the brightness and contrast of specific tonal regions, balancing highlights, midtones, and shadows to create a visually compelling black and white image.

Working with Curves in Procreate

Follow these steps to access and use the Curves adjustment tool in Procreate:

Select the layer you want to adjust.
Access the Adjustments menu by tapping on the wand icon in the top menu.
Choose “Curves” from the available options.
An interactive curve graph will appear, displaying tonal values from shadows (left side) to highlights (right side).
Tap and drag points on the curve to manipulate the tonal range. Moving a point upwards increases brightness, while moving it downwards increases contrast.
Experiment with different curves to achieve the desired look.
Tap “Done” to apply the changes.

Perfecting the Levels for Depth and Detail

The Levels adjustment tool allows you to fine-tune the tonal range of your black and white artwork in a more precise and controlled manner. It provides separate sliders for adjusting the shadows, midtones, and highlights, offering greater flexibility in bringing out depth and detail.

Adjusting Levels in Procreate

To access the Levels adjustment tool in Procreate and refine your artwork, follow these steps:

Select the layer you want to adjust.
Tap on the Adjustments menu by tapping on the wand icon in the top menu.
Choose “Levels” from the available options.
Three sliders representing shadows, midtones, and highlights will appear.
Adjust each slider individually to fine-tune the tonal range and make your artwork visually captivating.
Observe the changes in real-time and adjust until you achieve the desired effect.
Tap “Done” to apply the changes.

Adding Character with Filters

Filters are a fantastic way to add a touch of character and mood to your black and white masterpiece. Procreate offers an extensive collection of filters that can instantly transform your artwork, creating unique visual effects and enhancing the overall ambiance.

Exploring Filters in Procreate

To apply a filter to your black and white artwork in Procreate, follow these steps:

Select the layer you want to apply the filter to.
Tap on the Adjustments menu by tapping on the wand icon in the top menu.
Choose “Filters” from the available options.
A list of filters will appear, each with a preview thumbnail.
Browse through the filters and tap on one to apply it to your artwork.
Experiment with different filters to find the perfect one that complements your artistic vision.
Tap “Done” to apply the changes.

Explore Brushes and Textures

To truly elevate your black and white artwork, consider experimenting with brushes and textures that emulate traditional mediums. Procreate offers a diverse range of brushes and textures that can add a unique and authentic touch to your monochrome creations. From pencil and charcoal brushes to textured paper overlays, there are endless possibilities to explore.

Choosing the Right Brushes

The choice of brushes can greatly influence the look and feel of your black and white artwork. Procreate provides a vast library of brushes, including those specifically designed for creating realistic pencil strokes, soft charcoal effects, and textured shading. When exploring brushes, consider the desired style and effect you want to achieve, whether it’s smooth and precise lines, expressive strokes, or subtle texture.

Experimenting with Pencil Brushes

Pencil brushes are a popular choice for black and white artwork, as they can mimic the look and texture of traditional pencil drawings. Procreate offers a variety of pencil brushes that simulate different lead hardness, allowing you to create smooth gradients, sharp lines, and detailed hatching.

Embracing Charcoal Brushes

The use of charcoal brushes can add depth, texture, and a unique organic feel to your black and white artwork. Charcoal brushes in Procreate emulate the expressive, smudgy, and rich strokes of traditional charcoal mediums. They are excellent for creating dramatic shading, rough textures, and atmospheric effects.

Overlaying Textured Paper

To evoke the feeling of working on traditional textured paper, Procreate enables you to overlay your artwork with textured paper images. These overlays can add subtle grain, imperfections, and tactile qualities to your black and white artwork, enhancing its authenticity and depth. Experiment with different paper textures to find the one that best suits your artistic vision.

Using Brushes in Procreate

To use brushes in Procreate and add a unique touch to your black and white artwork, follow these steps:

Select the brush tool in Procreate by tapping on the paintbrush icon in the top menu.
In the brush library, browse through the available brushes or tap the “+” icon to access more brushes.
Choose the brush that best fits your desired effect or style.
Adjust the brush size, opacity, and flow in the brush settings.
Start painting or drawing on your black and white artwork using the chosen brush.
Experiment with different brushes and their settings to find the perfect combination.

Add Depth with Shadows and Highlights

One of the key elements in creating captivating black and white art is the skillful use of shadows and highlights. By strategically placing shadows and adding highlights, you can give your artwork depth and dimension. Experiment with different brush opacities and blending modes to master the art of shading and creating highlights.

The Role of Shadows and Highlights

Shadows and highlights play a crucial role in sculpting forms and creating a sense of depth in your artwork. Shadows add dimensionality, while highlights accentuate the areas where light hits the objects. By manipulating these elements, you can create a three-dimensional illusion and enhance the visual impact of your black and white artwork.

Crafting Realistic Shadows

To create realistic shadows in your black and white artwork, consider the following techniques:

Observe the light source: Determine the direction and intensity of the light source in your composition. Shadows are cast on the opposite side of the light.
Gradation and softness: Shadows are rarely completely black. They often exhibit gradations, from dark to light, depending on the distance from the object casting the shadow. Soft shadows occur when the light source is diffused or the object casting the shadow is partially transparent.
Blending modes and opacity: Experiment with different blending modes and brush opacities to achieve the desired level of transparency and softness in your shadows. This helps integrate them seamlessly into your artwork.

Creating Striking Highlights

Highlights, on the other hand, should be placed where the light directly hits the objects to create a sense of luminosity and focus. Consider these techniques when adding highlights to your black and white artwork:

Observing light intensity: Different objects reflect light differently. Metallic surfaces reflect more light, creating sharper highlights, while matte surfaces produce softer highlights.
Reflected light: Objects in proximity to one another can reflect light onto each other, creating secondary highlights. Consider the interplay of reflected light to add realism to your artwork.
Blending modes and opacity: Adjust the blending modes and brush opacity to achieve a natural, seamless integration of highlights into your artwork.

Mastering Shadows and Highlights in Procreate

Procreate offers various tools and features to help you perfect your shadows and highlights:

Layer modes: Experiment with different layer blending modes to create the desired effect. Overlay, Soft Light, and Multiply blending modes often work well for shadows, while Screen and Linear Dodge can enhance highlights.
Layer opacity: Adjust the opacity of your shadow or highlight layers to control their intensity and transparency. This allows you to fine-tune the overall effect and create a more natural appearance.
Erasing and masking: Refine shadows and highlights by erasing or masking certain areas. This allows you to ensure seamless integration and precise control over where the shadows and highlights appear.
Opacity and flow settings: Adjust the opacity and flow settings of your brush to achieve gradual transitions and more controlled application of shadows and highlights.

Save and Share Your Masterpiece

Once you’re satisfied with your black and white artwork, it’s time to save and share it with the world. Procreate allows you to export your masterpiece in various formats, including JPEG, PNG, and PSD. Choose the format that suitsyour needs and preferences. Here’s how you can save and share your black and white masterpiece in Procreate:

Saving Your Artwork

Ensure that you have the black and white version of your artwork selected in Procreate.
Tap on the wrench icon located in the top menu to access the Actions menu.
Choose “Share” from the options available.
A list of file formats will appear. Select the format that best suits your needs, such as JPEG or PNG.
Depending on the format chosen, you may have additional options to adjust the quality or resolution of the image.
Tap “Export” or “Save Image” to save your black and white artwork to your device’s photo library.

Sharing Your Artwork

Sharing your black and white artwork is a fantastic way to showcase your talent and inspire others. Procreate offers several options for sharing your masterpiece:

Social media: Tap on the social media icon of your choice in the Share menu to directly share your artwork on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. Add relevant hashtags or captions to reach a wider audience.
Email or messaging: If you prefer a more personal approach, you can send your artwork via email or messaging apps. Tap on the respective icons in the Share menu to open a new email or message with the image already attached.
Cloud storage: If you use cloud storage services like iCloud or Dropbox, you can save your black and white artwork directly to these platforms. Simply tap on the cloud storage icon in the Share menu and follow the prompts to save it to your desired location.
Print your artwork: If you prefer to showcase your black and white artwork in physical form, you can export your masterpiece as a high-resolution image file and have it printed at a local print shop or through online printing services.

How to Make Procreate Black and White – FAQ

1. Can I undo the black and white conversion in Procreate?

Yes! Since you duplicated the layer before converting to grayscale, simply delete the black and white layer to revert back to your original colored artwork.

2. Will converting to black and white affect the quality of my artwork?

No, converting to black and white will not affect the quality of your artwork. It simply removes the color information and allows you to focus on the monochrome composition.

3. Can I selectively colorize certain parts of my black and white artwork?

Yes! Procreate offers various tools and brushes that allow you to selectively add color to specific areas of your black and white artwork, creating eye-catching highlights or focal points.

4. How can I achieve a vintage or sepia look in my black and white artwork?

You can experiment with Procreate’s adjustment tools and filters to achieve a vintage or sepia look. Try adjusting the saturation, applying a vintage filter, or adding a warm tint to evoke a retro feel.

5. Are there any specific brush settings recommended for black and white art?

Brush settings depend on your personal style and preference. However, using brushes with varying opacities, textures, and pressure sensitivity can help you achieve realistic shading and texture in your black and white artwork.

6. Can I use reference images while creating black and white art in Procreate?

Absolutely! Reference images can be incredibly helpful in guiding your composition, understanding light and shadow, and capturing intricate details. Procreate allows you to import and overlay reference images for easy reference.

7. Can I combine black and white with color in Procreate?

Yes, you can experiment with combining black and white elements with selective splashes of color in Procreate. This technique can create visually striking and impactful compositions.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of our comprehensive guide on how to make Procreate black and white. Now it’s time to unleash your creativity and explore the endless possibilities of monochrome art. Whether you’re creating portraits, landscapes, or abstract designs, the power of black and white can add a touch of elegance and intrigue to your artwork. So go ahead, dive into the realm of monochrome magic, and let your imagination soar!

Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to experiment, learn from your mistakes, and develop your unique style. Take your black and white artwork to new heights by mastering shading, exploring different textures, and adding your personal touch. And most importantly, have fun along the way!

Now it’s your turn to create stunning black and white masterpieces in Procreate. Unlock the artist within you, share your creations with the world, and inspire others to embark on their own monochrome adventures.

Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. The mentioned techniques may vary depending on the version of Procreate you are using. Always refer to the official Procreate documentation for the most up-to-date instructions.