Last Updated on July 19, 2026 by Dee
If you’re like me and love making your own printables or junk journal pages, you’ll know how important it is to add that beautiful watercolor texture. In this post, I’m sharing three of my favourite watercolor overlay techniques in Procreate that are quick and super effective. Stick around to the end to download a free texture overlay pack to use in your own creations!
Why Texture Overlays Matter
Without texture, digital work can look flat and lifeless. But with the right brush strokes and blending, you can add gorgeous depth that looks just like traditional paint. These techniques are especially great for printables, planner pages, and backgrounds for your digital art kits.
Watch the full tutorial here 👉 3 Easy Watercolor Texture Overlays in Procreate
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Want to try layering techniques? Have a peek at this Clipping Masks in Procreate guide. It’s a game-changer!
Using these overlays in your own printables? My Procreate brushes, stamps and templates are all in the Artsydee shop.
Browse the shop →My 3 Go-To Texture Techniques
- Grainy Wash
Using a low-opacity watercolor brush, I brush over large areas and smudge at the edges. It mimics how paint settles on textured paper. - Gradient Fade
With a soft airbrush, I blend two colors across the canvas. I like to add a little Gaussian blur for that gentle fade. This works perfectly with printable backgrounds—like the ones I share in Free Printable Junk Journal Background Pages. - Watercolor Splatter
I use a splatter brush over a Multiply layer. It’s such an easy way to add energy and realism to your art! This also works beautifully for printable tags and ephemera.
Need texture inspiration? You might enjoy browsing my Simple Watercolor Paintings to see how I layer color and create visual depth.
Grab Your Free 🎨 Watercolor Texture Overlays HERE!
Love This Resource? Get Even More Exclusive Creative Goodies on My Patreon! 🎨
If you’re enjoying these free printables, why not join my Artsydee Patreon community? As a member, you’ll gain access to exclusive Procreate tutorials, watercolor lessons, and tons of resources like this one—delivered to you monthly (and sometimes even twice a month!). Plus, you’ll get sneak peeks at upcoming projects and have a say in what content I create next. ✨
Related Posts to Explore
- Simple Watercolor Paintings
- Free Printable Junk Journal Background Pages
- How to Use Clipping Masks in Procreate
The free overlay pack is a lovely starting point for your printables and journal pages. When you want more to build with, the Artsydee shop has Procreate brushes, digital stamps and printable templates ready to go.
Browse the shop →Watercolor Texture Overlays in Procreate: FAQ
What are watercolor texture overlays in Procreate?
Watercolor texture overlays are layers of painted texture you place over digital artwork so it looks like real paint on paper. In Procreate you build them with brush strokes, blending and splatter, then sit them above your artwork to add depth. They’re especially useful for printables, planner pages and digital art kit backgrounds.
How do I add a watercolor texture overlay in Procreate?
Brush over a large area with a low-opacity watercolor brush, then smudge the edges so the colour settles the way real paint does on textured paper. This “grainy wash” technique is the quickest of the three shared in this tutorial and works on almost any background.
Which blend mode is best for watercolor splatter in Procreate?
Multiply is the blend mode to use for splatter. Add a new layer, set it to Multiply, then work a splatter brush over the top — the marks sink into the artwork underneath instead of sitting flatly on top, which adds instant energy and realism.
How do I create a soft gradient fade in Procreate?
Use a soft airbrush to blend two colours across the canvas, then add a little Gaussian blur for a gentle fade. It’s the smoothest of the three techniques here and works beautifully as a background for printable pages.
Why does my digital art look flat?
Digital work usually looks flat because it has no texture. Painted overlays — grainy washes, soft gradients and splatter — reintroduce the irregularity of traditional paint, giving your artwork depth that a plain colour fill can never achieve.
Can I use watercolor texture overlays on printables and junk journal pages?
Yes. These overlays were made with printables in mind and work well on planner pages, printable tags, ephemera and junk journal backgrounds. Layer them over your design, adjust the opacity to taste, and the finished page prints with a soft painted feel.
Are the watercolor texture overlays free?
Yes — a free watercolor texture overlay pack is available to download in this post. Pop your email in the form and it’s sent straight to your inbox for use in your own Procreate creations.