This Procreate tutorial for beginners will walk you through setting up your layers, coloring inside the lines, and even adding some simple shading and texture using brushes and clipping masks. We’ll also cover what to do if your coloring page has a white background or messy outlines—because let’s be real, most of them do. Whether you’re new to digital coloring in Procreate or just looking to level up your workflow, this step-by-step guide has your back (and your brushes!)
PART 1: Beginner-Friendly Setup
This option is the simplest and easiest for most downloaded coloring pages with white backgrounds.
Step-by-Step
PART 2: Advanced Prep for Messy, Scanned, or Low-Quality Line Art
This is a slightly more advanced process for digital coloring. Don’t worry though, it’s not too complicated! Use this method when:
Your coloring page has faded or pixelated lines ColorDrop isn’t working well, even with Reference mode
Clean Up and Prep the Line Art for Better Results
Bonus Tips for Success
Whichever method you chose for coloring with Procreate, here are a few extra habits to practice. These will become second nature soon enough and they’ll make your coloring process even more enjoyable.
Name Your Layers: e.g., “Line Art,” “Base Color,” “Shading.” Use Alpha Lock or Clipping Mask: For recoloring or shading without spilling over edges. Use the Selection Tool for tricky areas (tap the ribbon icon → Freehand).
What If Colors Won’t Stay In the Lines?
If you’re finding that your colors aren’t staying where you expect them to, it’s usually one of two issues:
