The Freya blog
Learn to draw, one post at a time
Free Procreate video tutorials with downloadable brushes, plus honest articles about learning digital art, from Freya and the Academy mentors.
Iridescent and Holographic Effects in Procreate
Noise, Liquify and Chromatic Aberration in that order give Procreate a pearly iridescent shimmer. Freya's settings for backgrounds and painted shells.
Procreate Gesture Controls: Shortcuts Worth Setting Up
Set up Procreate's Gesture Controls the way Freya does: which gestures to assign, which defaults to turn off, and why your finger keeps making marks.
How to Draw Eyes in Procreate (Structure First, Then Line)
Freya's structure-first method for drawing eyes in Procreate: guide lines, two drafts, then clean inking with her own brushes. Four eye styles included.
How to Draw Realistic Fur in Procreate, Step by Step
Paint believable pet fur in Procreate with Freya's four-pass method: base, dark detail, light detail, then single strands. From Pet Portrait Purrfection.
How to Draw Hair in Procreate: Chunks First, Lines Last
Freya's chunks-first method for drawing hair in Procreate: draft big sections, follow the direction, then ink with fine lines and gaps for light.
How to Export a Procreate Timelapse (and Record in Full HD)
Two ways to record your Procreate process: the built-in timelapse export, full length or 30 seconds, and full HD screen recording, step by step.
How to Shade in Procreate: Light, Form and Shadow Basics
Learn shading in Procreate with pressure control, three brush types, and the light and shadow sequence that makes simple shapes look real.
How to Make Your Own Brush in Procreate (From Scratch)
Turn real watercolor marks into a custom Procreate brush: photograph a shape and a texture, import both in Brush Studio, then build stamp brushes too.
Procreate Animation Assist: A Beginner's Guide to Animating
Learn Procreate's Animation Assist from Freya's Masterclass: frames, onion skin settings, playback modes, and a growing-flower exercise to try today.
Procreate Blend Modes Explained (With Painting Examples)
What Procreate's blend modes actually do, plus Freya's airbrush shadow and light technique using Color Burn and Overlay layers.
QuickShape in Procreate: Perfect Shapes Every Time
Draw perfect circles, straight lines and clean curves with Procreate's QuickShape. The long-press, the extra-finger tap, and the Edit button, explained.
How to Make a Seamless Repeating Pattern in Procreate
Build a repeating pattern in Procreate with the duplicate-and-snap method: orange alignment lines, edge stitching, and export settings for fabric printing.
You're Not Too Old to Learn Procreate. Here's Where to Actually Start
You're not too old to learn Procreate. This post shows you exactly where to start, no matter your age or experience.
How to Animate a Coin Flip in Procreate Dreams
Animate a realistic coin flip in Procreate Dreams! You'll use stretch and squash, add floating movement, and enhance depth, all frame-by-frame.
Halloween Pumpkin Cookie Decorating Tutorial for Procreate
A Halloween Cookie Decorating Tutorial using free brushes for Procreate. Learn to cut the cookie open and reveal a hidden ghost inside!
How to Paint Rainbow Hair in Procreate (Free Brushes)
Paint dreamy rainbow hair in Procreate! Get my free brushes and master soft blending for colorful effects, bringing your art to life.
How to Draw a Dog
Draw a dog in Procreate step by step: poodle tutorial plus the grid sketch, blurred-reference base coat, and fur detail method from Freya's course.
How Long Does It Take to Learn to Draw?
Wondering how long it really takes to learn to draw? Get a realistic timeline and reshape your expectations for digital art progress.
What’s Blocking Your Style (Hint: It’s Not Brushes)
Five blocks that keep your art style stuck, plus three exercises from Freya's courses: one concept in three styles, a signature palette, a mind map.
Why Unfinished Pieces Matter Too
I used to think an unfinished piece meant I gave up. Here is why your abandoned sketches are part of the process, not proof of failure.
How to Paint a Peony with Oil Brushes on Procreate
Ready to paint a beautiful peony? Learn how to create a realistic oil painting in Procreate using Freya Oil Brushes.
How to Learn How to Draw: Which Path Is Right for You?
🧠 Not sure how to start drawing? Compare popular learning methods to find what fits your lifestyle and budget.
How to Paint Sneakers with Impasto Brushes
Painting realistic sneakers with impasto brushes is fun! Sketch your design, add base colors, then build texture with shadows and highlights.
Afraid to Try New Styles? Here's What Helped Me
Feeling stuck in your art style? Learn how to embrace new techniques and subjects without losing yourself or confusing your audience.