What shortcuts have you learned so far while using procreate?
Learn essential Procreate shortcuts by creating a simple digital character, practicing gestures like undo, pinch-to-zoom, and layer controls while building a colorful portrait.
About this activity
Learn essential Procreate shortcuts by creating a simple digital character, practicing gestures like undo, pinch-to-zoom, and layer controls while building a colorful portrait.
What you need
Step by step
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Step 1
Open the Procreate app on your iPad.
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Step 2
Tap the + button and create a new canvas.
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Step 3
Open the Layers panel and tap + to add a new layer for your sketch.
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Step 4
Pick a pencil brush from the Brush Library.
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Step 5
Draw a simple character head and face on the sketch layer.
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Step 6
If you make a line you don't like use a two-finger tap to undo it.
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Step 7
If you change your mind after undoing use a three-finger tap to redo it.
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Step 8
Tap + in Layers to add a new layer for color.
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Step 9
Drag the color layer below the sketch layer in the Layers panel.
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Step 10
Use pinch-to-zoom with two fingers to zoom in on small areas to color neatly.
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Step 11
Tap the color layer and choose Alpha Lock so your brush only colors inside the shapes.
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Step 12
Tap the sketch layer and lower its opacity so your colors show better.
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Step 13
Rotate the canvas with two fingers while you add final details.
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Step 14
Share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do you teach a child Procreate shortcuts while creating a simple digital character?
Start a new canvas and guide your child to sketch a simple character—basic head, eyes, and smile. Teach one shortcut at a time: two-finger tap to undo, three-finger tap to redo, pinch-to-zoom and rotate with two fingers, and QuickShape by holding strokes. Create separate layers for sketch, lineart, and color so they practice creating, renaming, locking, and merging layers. Finish by coloring and using undo/redo repeatedly to build confidence.
What materials do I need for this Procreate shortcut activity?
You'll need an iPad that runs Procreate and the Procreate app installed, plus a stylus (Apple Pencil recommended) for precise drawing. Optionally use a Bluetooth keyboard for text shortcuts, a tablet stand, and a screen protector. Prepare a simple reference sheet of shortcuts, saved sketches for tracing, and a tidy workspace with wipes and charger. For kids, enable guided access or parental controls and keep spare storage for autosaves.
What ages is this activity suitable for?
This activity suits children around 7 years and up for independent learning, since they can manage touch gestures and basic layer concepts. Ages 4–6 can join with heavy adult guidance using large, simple shapes and tracing. Older kids and teens (12+) can handle more shortcuts, keyboard shortcuts, and layer blending. Always supervise screen time, adjust complexity to the child's fine motor skills, and offer step-by-step demonstrations and practice.
What are the benefits and safety tips for learning Procreate shortcuts with kids?
Benefits include improved fine motor skills, digital art literacy, problem-solving, and confidence from mastering shortcuts. It teaches undo/redo thinking and efficient workflow habits. For safety, limit session length, use guided access to prevent app switching, enable backups to iCloud, and teach file-saving. Variations: try a team portrait challenge, color-restriction exercises, or speed-drawing rounds to practice shortcuts under fun constraints.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of an iPad or Procreate if we can't find them?
If you don't have Procreate or an iPad you can use a similar tablet app like Autodesk SketchBook or Adobe Fresco to create layers and use a pencil brush, or sketch on paper and photograph it to import into the app later.
What should we do if the two-finger undo or three-finger redo doesn't work while drawing the character?
If the two-finger undo or three-finger redo doesn't work, check Procreate's Gesture Controls in Settings to make sure gestures are enabled or use the undo/redo buttons in the top-left instead.
How can we adapt this activity for younger children or older kids who want more challenge?
For younger kids skip adding separate layers and combine sketch and color on one layer while using simple pinch-to-zoom and the pencil brush, and for older kids use separate sketch and color layers with Alpha Lock, lower the sketch layer opacity, and add detailed shading or rotate the canvas for fine details.
How can we extend or personalize the finished drawing before sharing it on DIY.org?
To extend the activity personalize your character by creating a custom color palette, adding a background on a new layer beneath the color layer, and exporting Procreate's time-lapse or a PNG to share on DIY.org.