Create Kawai Art on Procreate.
Create kawaii style digital characters on Procreate using simple shapes, bright colors, layers, and brushes to learn drawing, coloring, and digital art skills.
Step-by-step guide to create kawaii art on Procreate
Step 1
Open Procreate and create a new canvas in a size you like.
Step 2
Tap the color panel and pick 4–6 bright candy or pastel colors for your palette.
Step 3
Make a new layer and choose a light sketching brush.
Step 4
Sketch the character’s body and head using simple shapes like circles and ovals.
Step 5
Draw big rounded eyes a tiny nose and a small smiling mouth to make a kawaii face.
Step 6
Lower the sketch layer opacity and add a fresh layer above it for clean lines.
Step 7
Trace neat outlines over your sketch using a smooth inking brush.
Step 8
Create a layer beneath the ink layer to hold your flat colors.
Step 9
Fill each area with flat color from your palette using the color fill or a brush.
Step 10
Add small blush spots and bright white eye highlights on tiny new layers.
Step 11
Create a new layer set to Multiply and add simple soft shading with low opacity.
Step 12
Make a bright simple background with shapes or a gradient on the bottom layer.
Step 13
Hide the sketch layer and look for any tiny fixes to lines or color.
Step 14
Export your finished image to Photos or Files so it’s ready to share.
Step 15
Share your finished kawaii character on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What if we don't have Procreate or an Apple Pencil—what can we use instead?
If you don't have Procreate or an Apple Pencil you can follow the same steps (new canvas, pick colors, layers, sketch, ink, fill, shade, background, export) in a free app like ibisPaint X or Autodesk SketchBook and use your finger or a generic stylus.
The color fill is leaking outside my lines—how do I fix it?
When filling colors on the flat-color layer, increase the color-fill threshold or close tiny gaps in your sketch/ink with the smooth inking brush before refilling so the flood-fill stays inside the shapes.
How can I adapt this project for different ages?
For younger kids simplify by using 3 big candy colors, basic circle/oval sketches, and letting them color inside outlines, while older kids can add the Multiply shading layer, detailed highlights, background gradients, and export high-resolution images to Photos or Files.
How can we make the kawaii character more unique or advanced?
Personalize the character by adding patterned clothes or accessories on new layers, use the Multiply layer for textured shading, try Animation Assist for a blinking highlight, and export multiple poses to share on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to create kawaii art on Procreate
KAWAII CACTUS Anyone Can Draw - Easy Step-By-Step Procreate Tutorial - Digital Illustration On iPad🌵
4 Videos
KAWAII CACTUS Anyone Can Draw - Easy Step-By-Step Procreate Tutorial - Digital Illustration On iPad🌵
PROCREATE Easy Kawaii Food Drawing - Step by Step Procreate Tutorial
How to Draw Cute Kawaii Animals Like a Pro In Procreate|| Beginners Friendly Tutorial ✨
Learn HOW to create KAWAII Characters in Procreate - Course by Becky Cas | Domestika English
Facts about digital art for kids
✏️ Kawaii characters often use very simple shapes—circles, ovals, and rounded rectangles—to look soft and friendly.
🌈 Pastel and bright colors like pink, mint, and lilac are signature kawaii hues that make designs feel playful and happy.
🖌️ Procreate includes hundreds of brushes and layer features that let kids try textures, shading, stickers, and blending effects.
🖥️ Procreate was launched by Savage Interactive in 2011 and became one of the most popular drawing apps for iPad artists.
🎨 The word "kawaii" literally means "cute" or "adorable" in Japanese and grew into a global style in the 1970s–1980s.
How do you create kawaii art on Procreate?
What materials do I need to create kawaii art on Procreate?
What ages is creating kawaii art on Procreate suitable for?
What are the benefits and safety tips for kids making kawaii art on Procreate?
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