How To Create NFT Characters Using Procreate!

Learn how to quickly navigate the procreate app and start getting your ideas onto the canvas!

Learn how to quickly navigate the procreate app and start getting your ideas onto the canvas!

Having an environment for your NFT character to live in is an important step for how the rest of your traits will interact in that space. Create a space around your character based on the type of canvas size you choose.

I Recommend 3000x3000px with 300dpi for best results.

When it comes to creating a character from scratch artists try to assemble their characters from the top of their heads, or by memory. It's always best to use a reference to help aid your brain in creating something new. Our brains are rather funny, we experience the world in "high resolution" but in order to save space we reduce it to a "low resolution" type format.

For example, if you think of a cat, you might say "cute ears, button nose, whiskers, paws, and fur"

this is true, but if you wanted to find the accurate spacing between the cat's ears, the shape of the paw, or the coloration of the fur it will take a more high-resolution image to help jog our brains to truly capture the essence of these traits.

In this course, I will be sketching a sea turtle from a reference image. Having a reference from real life is the best way to capture various traits in high resolution. Later I can break it down into a lower more cartoon resolution.

When it comes to creating a character from scratch artists try to assemble their characters from the top of their heads, or by memory. It's always best to use a reference to help aid your brain in creating something new. Our brains are rather funny, we experience the world in "high resolution" but in order to save space we reduce it to a "low resolution" type format.

For example, if you think of a cat, you might say "cute ears, button nose, whiskers, paws, and fur"

this is true, but if you wanted to find the accurate spacing between the cat's ears, the shape of the paw, or the coloration of the fur it will take a more high-resolution image to help jog our brains to truly capture the essence of these traits.

In this course, I will be sketching a sea turtle from a reference image. Having a reference from real life is the best way to capture various traits in high resolution. Later I can break it down into a lower more cartoon resolution.

After you're finished with your sketch, you will need to create a new layer over top and re-trace the areas you liked most about your sketch. This will keep your image clean and polished as you prepare for the coloring phase.

In this video, I will be using the "Studio Pen" set to 2% in size with 100% opacity.

After your outline layer is complete you will need to duplicate it. keep one in case you accidentally make a mistake. Use the other outline copy to pick a color from the color wheel and drag and drop it into the various sections of your outline. Quickly add speed and value to your NFT character with its first coat of paint.

under the "Layers" tab, you will notice your layers have a small "N" next to them. The "N" stands for "Normal Layer".

In order to quickly add shadows to your character and the color you decided on, simply click the "N" and switch the layer to "SL" or "Soft-light".

After changing the layer to Soft-light, go to the color wheel and choose solid black. using the Studio Pen, trace the areas of your NFT Character that you want to be in shadow. This will automatically choose the best dark tint color for the original color you decided to use for your NFT character.

If you are adding Highlights, the above is the same. But instead will need to change the color from Solid Black to Solid White. ( Apply this color to the way light would be hitting your subject.)

Adding shadows is a great way to begin separating your NFT character from the background and giving it more substance and space in the image. Combining both shadows and highlights will make your NFT character feel more complete and pleasing to the eye.

Adding A Background:

Create a new layer and paint the entire canvas a solid color, (This will be your background, make sure it's at the bottom of your layers.)

Adding A Gradient Effect:

Create a new layer ABOVE the background layer. Go to your brushes tab and select "Airbrush" make sure your brush size is set to about 45% With 100% opacity. Select the color White from your color wheel, Then gently tap the center of your canvas until this effect is applied.

Adding White Highlights:

Similar to how you added Regular Highlights to your NFT character, you will select a new layer (a normal layer) and the Studio Pen. Reduce the pen size to a comfortable size, then using Solid White, add small additional highlights where the Light Source would be directly hitting your NFT Character. (This is optional)