How to Turn a Pencil Sketch into a Digital Color Study Using the Procreate App

 Want to Learn How to Create a Color Study?

If you enjoy painting but find preparatory steps tedious, you’re not alone. Preliminary sketches and color studies may seem less exciting than diving into a painting, but they are crucial. Without proper planning, even promising paintings can fall short.

For landscape painting, preparation is especially important. Follow these steps to design a visually appealing and well-thought-out composition, whether you rely on imagination, a photo reference, or an example.

Steps to Prepare for a Landscape Painting

Materials You’ll Need:

Pencil

Paper

iPad Pro

Procreate (or a similar sketching app)

1. Plan Your Composition

Outline the key elements you want in your painting. For example:

A field in the foreground

A narrowing path to create depth and perspective

Three tall trees in the middle ground

A body of water behind the trees

Tree-lined fields in the background

Distant mountains and clouds

2. Pay Attention to Details

Overlap elements: Position trees or other objects to provide a sense of scale and depth.

Foreground texture: Add contrasting colors and textures to guide the viewer’s eye through paths or grassy areas.

Cloud movement: Use cloud placement to direct the viewer’s gaze.

Lighting consistency: Mark the light source direction to maintain uniformity.

Layering: Ensure natural breaks in horizontal lines to lead viewers from foreground to background.

3. Create Your Drawing

Sketch your composition proportionate to your intended canvas size:

Use 9″x12″ paper for a similarly sized canvas.

Alternatively, use smaller dimensions, such as 3″x4″, for quick drafts.

Keep the drawing simple, focusing on placement and proportions rather than intricate details.

4. Make a Color Study in Procreate

Use Procreate (or a similar app) or traditional tools like colored pencils or watercolors to create a rough color study. Procreate offers flexibility, and online tutorials can help you learn the basics if needed.

5. Start with Outlines

On Procreate, draw outlines of key elements on a new layer. Use a small brush with contrasting colors for visual interest.

6. Fill the Shapes

Fill outlined shapes with a larger brush and semi-transparent strokes. Work on separate layers to keep outlines and fills distinct. You can even use your finger for quick adjustments.

7. Choose Colors Carefully

When adding color to landscapes:

Distant features, like mountains, should appear lighter and cooler (light blue or violet).

Background trees should be duller and lighter than foreground trees.

Grass in the foreground should use vibrant yellow-green tones, transitioning to lighter blue-green shades in the distance.

It’s Just a Sketch!

A color study is a rough guide—not a finished piece. Digital tools make adjustments easy, so you can experiment without the frustration of reworking a canvas.

Why Do a Color Study?

Test color combinations before painting.

Solve potential color issues early.

Understand color relationships to mix and apply paint more effectively.

Enjoy the Process!

Creating a color study improves your painting workflow and deepens your understanding of color. As a self-taught artist, I encourage beginners to embrace this preparation step—it’s well worth the effort. Happy painting!