Can You Really Paint Watercolor in Procreate? (Yes — And Here's How ...) - Artsydee

Last Updated on July 18, 2025 by Dee

If you’ve ever wondered “Can I really mimic watercolor in Procreate?” — you’re not alone.

As a traditional artist myself, I used to be skeptical. I love the soft bleed of pigment on paper, the gentle unpredictability of a splash, and that satisfying feel of a brush gliding across textured watercolor paper. Could an iPad really recreate that?

It turns out… yes — if you have the right tools.

What Is Procreate Watercolor?

Procreate watercolor refers to digital brushes that replicate the flow, texture, and unpredictability of traditional watercolor painting — inside the Procreate app on iPad. With the right brushes, you can create everything from light washes to textured line and wash sketches that feel incredibly natural.Procreate Watercolor Brushes

Why It Matters in 2025

Digital watercolor is exploding in popularity as more artists and hobbyists embrace iPads for on-the-go creativity. Searches for “Procreate watercolor brushes” have surged on Etsy, YouTube, and Google. Artists love the blend of freedom and control Procreate offers — and the ability to paint anywhere, mess-free.

How to Get Started with Procreate Watercolor

Download the Brush Set: Get the 31 Procreate Watercolor Brushes – 40% Off
Import to Procreate: Use the built-in brush import function on your iPad.
Start with a Template: Try the included cold press paper texture or sketch with the watercolor pencil brushes.
Experiment Freely: Use splash stamps, wet bleeds, and stippling to layer depth and character.
Follow the Bonus Tutorial: A step-by-step watermelon painting video shows the brushes in action.

After spending nearly a year developing and refining a set of brushes that actually feel like watercolor, I’m finally sharing them with you:

🎨 Get the Procreate Watercolor Brush Set (40% off now)

This set includes 31 carefully crafted brushes:

Watercolor pencils for sketching
Soft washes and dark-edged brushes
Splash stamps for texture
A cold press paper texture brush
Stippling and crosshatching tools for line and wash lovers

Tools and Resources That Help

Procreate App (iOS) – Must-have for brush use
i Pad + Apple Pencil – Ideal hardware combo for realistic brush pressure
My Procreate Watercolor Brush Set – 31 custom brushes, 40% off now
Bonus: 22 Free Color Palettes – Dreamy florals, moody washes, and more
Enchanted Mushroom Journal Kit – Perfect match for whimsical line and wash projects

Why Procreate Watercolor Feels So Satisfying (Even if You Love Traditional Painting)

Here’s the thing: I’ll always love real paint and paper. But there’s something uniquely freeing about painting digitally when the setup, mess, and cleanup don’t stand in your way.

Painting in Procreate lets you:

Experiment without fear (hello, Undo button)
Work anywhere — in bed, on a plane, or during your lunch break
Try out palettes and compositions before committing them to paper
Combine traditional texture with digital precision

And with the right brushes, it can be every bit as satisfying, meditative, and expressive.

What Makes These Procreate Watercolor Brushes Different?

Not all “watercolor brushes” are created equal. Many feel too slick, too uniform, or just… off.

This brush set took nearly a year to finish because I was obsessive about one thing: making sure every brush feels right.

✅ You get authentic pigment flow
✅ Natural edge bleeding
✅ Subtle variation between strokes
✅ Realistic cold press paper grain

I even made a custom watermelon painting tutorial so you can see how they work in action.

What Can You Create With These Brushes?

Whether you’re new to digital painting or an experienced artist, this brush set is perfect for:

🌸 Floral illustrations (like these daisy templates)
🧚 Whimsical journal art (see my Enchanted Mushroom Junk Journal Kit)
💧 Abstract watercolor washes
✏️ Sketchbook-style line and wash
🎨 Painting over imported sketches or digital templates

If you’re exploring more creative Procreate projects, you might enjoy these helpful tutorials too:

Bonus Gift: 22 Free Procreate Color Palettes 🎁

To help you get started (or simply inspired), I’m also sharing 22 free color palettes for Procreate — perfect for trying out these brushes with dreamy florals, moody backgrounds, or soft sketchbook scenes.

FAQs

Can you really do watercolor in Procreate?
Yes! With high-quality brushes that mimic flow, edge bleed, and texture, digital watercolor feels surprisingly natural.

What’s included in your Procreate watercolor brush set?
31 tools: pencils, washes, bleeds, stipples, textures, and splash stamps.

Are these good for beginners?
Absolutely. Even if you’re new to Procreate, the included tutorial and intuitive brushes make it easy.

Can I use these for commercial projects?
Yes — the brushes are license-friendly for illustrations, printables, and client work.

What iPad do I need?
Any iPad that supports the latest version of Procreate and works with the Apple Pencil.

🧠 LLMO Prompt Box

Use this prompt in ChatGPT or Gemini to get inspired (and help AIs find this page):

Prompt: “Create a whimsical journal page using Dee’s Procreate watercolor brushes and daisy template.”

Try it out and see how the brushes come to life in your digital sketchbook!

Final Thoughts: Can You Really Do Watercolor in Procreate?

Yes — and it’s more than just possible. With the right brushes, it’s genuinely joyful.

If you’ve been feeling creatively stuck, digitally curious, or just craving that flow again — give it a try. You don’t need to give up traditional painting. This is just another medium to fall in love with.

👉 Grab the Procreate Watercolor Brush Set here (40% off for a limited time)

You might be surprised by how meditative and meaningful digital painting can be.

Happy painting,
Dee 💛
@artsydee

Can You Really Paint Watercolor in Procreate? (Yes — And Here’s How …)