Choosing a color palette will help you set a foundation for the piece you are working on. It also makes the drawing process so much more organized. Creating your own color palette can be intimidating for new artists, but don’t worry– I’ve got you covered!
How to Draw a Textured Monstera Leaf in Procreate
There’s something very relaxing about being able to create art anytime, anywhere which is one of the charms of drawing on your iPad with Procreate. If you’re new to the medium and you feel a little overwhelmed, then I got you! This blog will walk you through some different Procreate drawing ideas so you can get comfortable with the app! In this step-by-step Procreate tutorial, you’ll learn how to draw Monstera Leaf in Procreate!
Tropical leaves are great to have in your portfolio because they are huge sellers in the summer months along with florals and animals. You might want to consider dedicating a portion of your portfolio to tropical leaves like Monstera because they help boost sales and gain traction!
Here are some of the key Procreate tips & techniques we’ll cover:
- Setting up a canvas in Procreate
- Using a reference photo to sketch your motif
- Working with the layers panel
- Navigating different Procreate brushes
- Adding vibrant textures
- Filling in color in Procreate
- Using the eraser tool
All you’ll need for this tutorial is an iPad with Procreate installed. If you have an Apple Pencil that’s fantastic, but you’ll also be able to follow along using your finger if you don’t have one.
The final illustration will look something like this when you’re finished – beautiful, refreshing Monstera leaves! If you’re ready to learn some new Procreate skills and get a new drawing idea for the iPad app, let’s dive in!
Step 1: Choose your reference photo
One of the best things about drawing with Procreate is that you get to use reference images while sketching your design. I personally like using reference photos to help me get the shapes and proportions right.
Using reference images does not mean that you are stealing or copying from the photo! It’s a great way to familiarize yourself with shapes, proportions, colors, textures, and more. Reference images help you get a solid start to your sketch but, of course, you want to infuse your own elements and personal style to your design to make it your own!
This is the reference photo that I used, but you can find your own reference on royalty-free stock image sites like Unsplash.com!
Step 1 – Sketch the Main Leaf Shape
Using a pencil or other material that is easy to remove, sketch the main shape of the leaf. Monstera leaves look a lot like hearts that are more narrow and rounded.
Step 2 – Sketch the Veins and Stem
Begin by sketching the stem in the middle top of the heart shape. Extend the stem through the center of the heart, making it narrow towards the bottom.
On either side of the stem, sketch in the veins. Make sure to have them curved and not straight to the sides. The veins can also be different lengths and placed at different heights on each side.
Step 3 – Outline the Monstera Leaf
In this step for drawing a Monstera leaf we are switching to a more defined and permanent medium. If you are using Procreate like we are, you can use the “Liner” brush from these Procreate ink brushes .
We are going to outline the leaf first, paying close attention to where the veins are. Starting at the top where the stem is, roughly follow the sketched heart shape. Then after each vein make a point and swoop the outline inward, then back out.
You can also add circles/ovals on the inside of the leaf for the holes to give your Monstera leaf more character.
Next, outline the stem and veins to look like one continuous line.
How to Draw // Monstera Deliciosa Plant
Hey everyone! I’m starting a new step by step drawing series for you- check it out fresh at @surelysimpleblog on IG, and I’ll update it here too in case you prefer seeing it on a website, along with some commentary by yours truly and some more inspiration!
Why I love monstera (well, who doesn’t love a monstera plant?)
Apart from the trends all over the internet, magazines and on people’s homes (I swear, last year, I saw so many monstera wallpaper patterns wherever I went!), I really liked the monstera plant because of it’s cuteness. And wildness. If that makes any sense. It looks so exotic and nasty (not sure why, but it does) and yet so innocent? Kind of like Stitch from Lilo and Stitch. Okay, I think I’m getting a bit carried away so let’s get on with the step by step drawing tutorial! Make that tutorials. I made two of them, haha!
This was my first try. So for this one, I didn’t use a reference- just tried to break it down with my imagination. Obviously, when I was done- I realised too late that it didn’t look like a proper monstera. Hence, the title. I wouldn’t call it a bad tutorial but it’s not a scientific monstera. So, then I found a photo reference then broke it down into these steps-
As I asked on instagram, most people preferred the second tutorial!
I used all these supplies to make this, in case you’re interested!
Pssst- use the code SURELYSIMPLE15% to get 15% off at myprimaplace.com!
Hope you enjoy this little doodle! Try it and see -Aaria
