Specifically smudging and tonal shading - which previously if I’d got wrong would be a nightmare to rework. I can achieve the same effect far more easily than i can with an actual pencil. However, with other brushes, such as the pencil - I honestly prefer it’s digital counterpart. I know how to paint in gouache - there’s a part of me that resents having to relearn doing it digitally.

For example gouache - the brush that comes with the procreate software is by no means a dead ringer for the traditional medium.

There is something slightly frustrating about the relearning process of using a digital version of a medium you’re familiar with. This is by no means a deep dive into Procreate and for the more competent will seem trivial, but these are some very top level features of the iPad app that have been the real turning point for me to drawing digitally. I’ve been using Procreate for a few months now and I really can’t recommend it enough, so for any other fellow beginners, whether a digital skeptic or a just looking to try out the software - here’s some reasons to give it a go. Whether the pressure of an expensive purchase was the real kick up the ass to start using it I’m not entirely sure, but it’s started a love affair with Procreate. Then came the Apple event where they released the new iPad pro and Apple pencil 2.0. Regardless of how much easier it could be if I knew how, I’d go for pen and paper over Photoshop every time.

Whilst I use Adobe software everyday (and not for a lack of trying), i’ve never really taken to it for illustration. It’s mainly been the disconnect between drawing on a tablet and that translating onto the screen in front of me. I’ve always hit a bit of a wall with drawing digitally.

Procreate beginner