Procreate Tutorials: 4. Gestures
What are gestures and how are they useful?
In the Procreate app, gestures are useful functions that can be carried out by the particular placement and movement of your fingers on the iPad screen. Gestures offer an alternative way to choose functions that can also be chosen using the menu bar on the software’s interface. For instance, tapping two fingers on the Procreate canvas will result in undoing a previous action.
Some useful gestures include:
Undo
Tap the iPad screen with two fingers to go back one step in your digital drawing.
Redo
Tap the iPad screen with three fingers to redo a step you undid.
Undo or Redo several steps
To undo or redo by several steps, hold down your fingers (two or three respectively) instead of just tapping.
Zoom In and Out
To zoom in, place two fingers on the Procreate canvas and slide them further apart. And to zoom out, place two fingers on the canvas and pinch your fingers in.
“Quick Pinch” Screen to Full Screen
You can “quick pinch” the Procreate canvas to full screen by quickly pinching (inwards) the iPad screen with two fingers. This gesture allows you to quickly jump back to full screen after zooming in to your canvas.
Rotate the Canvas
Keep your fingers held down on the iPad screen (at least two fingers) and rotate the canvas. The canvas will rotate in the direction your fingers move.
Move the Canvas
Hold down two fingers on the screen and move the canvas to where you like.
Clear Layer
To clear a layer, place three fingers on the iPad screen and slide them from side to side.
Hide the User Interface
Tap your iPad screen with four fingers to hide the Procreate interface, and repeat this action to bring it back. This feature allows you to focus on your drawing without distractions.
Resources for Learning How to Use Procreate:
Book - “Beginner’s Guide to Digital Painting in Procreate” by Max Ulichney, Simon Grünewald, Aveline Stokart and Sam Nassour.
SkillShare class - “Procreate for Absolute Beginners” by Molly Suber Thorpe.