The first step to achieving this is to open your Layers panel and locate the layer in which your reference image is on. Then select this image layer.
Procreate – How To Trace
Tracing in Procreate is super easy. In this article, I will walk you through a step-by-step process of creating beautiful traced pictures in Procreate.
It doesn’t matter if you are using one of your own pieces or pictures found on the Internet; you need to save it to your Photo gallery first. And once you have it saved in your Photo Gallery, you can access it whenever it is needed.
Step 2: Create a new canvas in Procreate
We would need to create a new canvas in Procreate to start tracing. To do that, go to Procreate Gallery and hit a little “+” icon in the top right corner. Once you open the New Canvas menu, you’ll see a list of preset canvases. These templates include Screen Size, Square, high-resolution 4K, A4 paper, 4 x 6 Photo, and US Paper. You can use one of those or create a custom canvas.
To create a custom-size canvas, go to the New Canvas menu, and tap the rectangle icon with a “+” in the top right to bring up the Custom Canvas menu. From here, you can adjust your canvas in a few ways:
- Name
- Dimensions
- Color profile
- Time-lapse settings
- Canvas properties
When you create a canvas, open it to start tracing.
Step 3: Add the image you want to trace to Procreate
To add a picture to your canvas in Procreate, go to
Actions (wrench icon) > Add > Insert a photo. Then select a photo from your Photo Library.
You can also take a picture if you don’t have it saved in your Photo Library. To do that, go to Actions > Add > Take a photo. Then simply snap a picture and hit Use Photo in the bottom right corner, which will bring it into Procreate.
how to trace a image onto canvas
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I’m sure there’s an easier way, but this is my go-to for projects that are too small to use the projector method on. I hope this helps someone. ♥️ #Art #ArtTok #Painting #ArtTips #ArtHacks #PaintingTips #PaintingHacks #TracingHacks #Toronto #ToronroArtist
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Just a little tip cuz I can’t freehand everything onto canvas ♀️ #artistsoftiktok #artistsontiktok #artturorial #howtodrawaperson #howtodraw #howtopaint #trace #tracing #tracingontocanvas #canvas #transfer #fyp #fypシ #arthack #arttips
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Learn how to trace an image onto canvas #paintandsipathome #paintandsipparty #paintandsip #transferpaper
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How To Trace a Drawing/ Printed Picture on to a Canvas ✨ #art #artist #artistsoftiktok #fyp #foryoupage #artwork #skull #trace #skullpainting #stars #colors #tatourial
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How to transfer sketches onto canvases #proudfamily #cartoon #tutorial
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How Transfer and Trace a painting onto canvas #artbeginner #cavases #hobbycraft
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Another tutorial! How to trace on black canvas #art #arttutorialdrawing #artfyp #greenscreenvideo #arttok #artistsoftiktok #stepbystep #howto #howtoart
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Replying to @islandpassion1219 how to transfer drawings to canvas with transfer paper. #paintingtips #acrylicpainting
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Visit YouTube channel to learn how to trace an image to a canvas #paintathome #paintandsip #smallbusiness #paintpartybusiness #paintkits #startwithpaint #blackartists #tracing @TMOM | Autism and Art
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So, you’ve done an amazing sketch, but have no idea how to redo it perfectly onto your canvas?? ✨ Here is how… 1. Scan your sketch & resize it on your laptop 2. Print it off 3. Put a thin layer of oil paint on the back of your paper (I did mine the same colour as the underpainting I will later do) 4. Bluetac the image onto the canavs exactly where you want it to be 5. Trace over your image with medium-firm pressure 6. Reveal your beautiful sketch, now ready to be painted! ♀️ ✨ Follow for more art tips & magical artwork! ♀️ @VINA #oilpaintingtips #sketchtocanvas #paintinghacks #oilpaintingtutorials
Step Six – Set Up a Tracking Layer
This step is extremely important to remember: setting up a tracing layer.
You MUST make a new layer in order to separate your tracing lines from the reference photo. Without completing this step, your tracing lines will be drawn directly onto your reference image making it impossible to separate the two (and all your hard work will sadly be in vain!)
In order to make sure you avoid this tedious issue, click the ‘layers icon’ in the upper right corner and select the ‘+’ button in order to create a new layer. Make sure that this layer sits above the reference photo on the Layers menu.
Remember to check from time to time that you are always drawing on this new layer as you are tracing.
Step 7 – Begin Tracing With Your Procreate Brush of Choice
Once you have done this, all that is left to do is choose your preferred Procreate brush and begin!
When you have finished, don’t forget to switch off the reference image layer to reveal your tracing in its entirety.
Now you know how to trace in Procreate! You can go ahead and experiment, adjusting and drawing whatever additional details you would like in order to create your own unique piece!
The Benefits of Tracing
Although sometimes it may feel like a shortcut, or like ‘cheating’, it is important to remember the skills and opportunities you can gain from tracing reference photos.
As long as you are not tracing another person’s artwork, or carelessly outlining an image, this technique can help you to really study the different aspects of your reference image.
Tracing can help reveal interesting insight into figure drawing, anatomy, form, lighting, and perspective, as well as countless other important techniques and skills which will help you to build a well-rounded artistic repertoire.
So, now that you know how to trace in Procreate, take your time and allow it to be an educational experience.
For a more detailed look into how to use the basic features of Procreate, you can check out our very helpful, and more in-depth course, ‘Digital Drawing in Procreate for Beginners‘!
If you liked learning how to trace on procreate check out our blog posts on procreate tips and tricks.
Emma Tibbey
Emma Tibbey
Emma is an Australian Freelance Writer, eager to create informative and interesting writing which expresses her creative passions. Emma is currently studying Fine Arts at the Queensland University of Technology.
