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Create a Selfie Digitally on Procreate

Create a Selfie Digitally on Procreate
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Use Procreate on an iPad to draw a digital selfie, learn layers, color mixing, simple brushes, and basic portrait shapes while practicing creative expression.

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Step-by-step guide to create a selfie digitally on Procreate

What you need
Adult supervision required, apple pencil or stylus or finger, procreate app, reference selfie photo

Step 1

Open Procreate and create a new square canvas about 2048 by 2048 pixels.

Step 2

Insert your selfie into the canvas as a reference photo.

Step 3

Create a new layer above the photo to use for sketching.

Step 4

Lower the reference photo layer opacity to about 30 percent so you can see it faintly.

Step 5

On the sketch layer draw simple shapes for the head and placement marks for the eyes nose and mouth.

Step 6

Create a new layer above the sketch layer for clean line art.

Step 7

Trace the sketch on the line art layer using a smooth ink or pencil brush.

Step 8

Create a new layer beneath the line art to hold flat colors.

Step 9

Block in flat colors for skin hair eyes and clothes on the color layer.

Step 10

Create a new Multiply layer above the flat colors to paint shadows.

Step 11

Paint soft shadows on the Multiply layer with a soft brush to add depth.

Step 12

Create a new layer set to Add or Normal with low opacity to paint highlights.

Step 13

Paint small highlights for hair eyes nose and lips on the highlight layer.

Step 14

Use the smudge tool or a low-opacity brush to gently blend shadows and highlights for smooth color transitions.

Step 15

Save your selfie and share your finished creation on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

I don't have Procreate or an iPad — what can I use instead?

If you don't have Procreate or an iPad, use layer-capable apps like Autodesk SketchBook, MediBang, Procreate Pocket (iPhone), Photoshop, or Krita on a computer and follow the same steps to insert your selfie as a reference photo, create sketch/lineart/color layers, and pick a smooth ink or pencil brush.

My lines look shaky when I trace the sketch — how can I fix that?

On the line art layer trace using a smooth ink or pencil brush while turning on brush StreamLine/stabilization, zooming in, making short confident strokes, and cleaning any wobble with the smudge tool or eraser.

How can I adapt this project for different ages?

For younger kids simplify by tracing the selfie directly and using just three layers (reference, color, line) with big flat brushes and simple shapes, while older kids can add detailed shading on a Multiply layer, highlights on an Add/Normal layer, and refine transitions with the smudge tool.

How can we enhance or personalize the selfie beyond the basic steps?

Make it unique by adding a painted or patterned background on a lower layer, using textured brushes for hair and clothes, creating custom color palettes, or turning the finished piece (after shadows and highlights) into a short animation with Procreate's Animation Assist.

Watch videos on how to create a selfie digitally on Procreate

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Procreate for Kids Tutorial // How to Use Procreate for Kids!

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Facts about digital art and illustration

✏️ The Apple Pencil senses both pressure and tilt, letting you draw thin lines or thick shaded strokes just by changing how you hold it.

🧩 Layers let you stack parts of your selfie—like hair, eyes, and background—so you can edit one piece without changing the rest.

🖌️ Procreate comes with hundreds of brushes and lets you design or download custom brushes to get any texture or style.

🎨 Procreate was created by Savage Interactive and was first released for the iPad in 2011.

🌈 Screens use RGB light, so colors you mix digitally on an iPad can look brighter and more glowing than paint on paper.

How do I create a digital selfie in Procreate on an iPad?

To create a digital selfie in Procreate on an iPad, start by opening Procreate and creating a canvas sized to your export needs (e.g., 2048×2048). Import a selfie as a reference or faint layer, create new layers for sketch, line, base color, and shading. Use a pencil brush to sketch basic portrait shapes, block in flat colors, then use soft brushes and smudge tools for blending. Experiment with layer opacity and blending modes, add highlights and final details, then export as PNG or JPEG.

What materials do I need to make a digital selfie in Procreate?

You'll need an iPad that supports Procreate and the Procreate app (paid). An Apple Pencil or compatible stylus gives the best control; a basic stylus also works. Other essentials: a charged iPad, a reference selfie photo (camera or import), a protective case or stand, and optional items like a screen protector, extra storage or iCloud backup, and a stylus grip for comfort. No paper or paints required—everything is digital.

What ages is creating a digital selfie in Procreate suitable for?

This activity suits roughly ages 7 and up with supervision; children 10–14 typically handle Procreate tools comfortably, while teens can explore advanced features like layers and blending. Younger kids (4–6) can try simplified portrait drawing with basic brushes and heavy guidance. Focus on short sessions, parental setup of app controls, and encouraging experimentation rather than perfection. Adjust complexity—use fewer layers and larger brushes for younger artists.

What are the benefits and safety tips for kids making selfies in Procreate?

Benefits include building fine motor control, understanding color mixing, learning digital art tools like layers and brushes, and boosting confidence through self-portraiture. It teaches visual observation and editing skills useful for school projects. For safety, set screen-time limits, supervise account or sharing settings, and teach children not to post identifiable information online. Variations like themed selfies, monochrome studies, or family portraits keep practice fun and collaborative.
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Create a Selfie Digitally on Procreate. Activities for Kids.