Digital Collage with Procreate is the ultimate guide to every step of creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind mixed media artwork. Using the versatile and intuitive iPad drawing and design app Procreate, author and artist Nicki Fitz-Gerald composes a series of fun and easy projects that will build confidence by giving all the necessary tools to create gorgeous compositions from scratch. Featuring detailed information on finding materials for collages including how to collect, organize, and store images; Procreate basics and best practices including using textures, masking, blending, layering, coloring, as well as the best brushes and accessories to use; artist profiles of other notable digital collage artists who share their tips and techniques; step-by-step projects that showcase a range of creative approaches to collage-making, including a variety of techniques, styles, and themes to try; and much, much more!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Today I’m excited to share a quick design tutorial. I’m usually inspired by an image or color palette and use that as a jumping point for my collage. Open up the Procreate app and decide on your canvas size. I like to use a 3000×3000 px canvas with 300DPI. This size allows up to 55 layers (which is important when creating a collage since each element typically sits on it’s own layer) and still looks great for digital sharing and social media posts.
Once your canvas is open, import the main photo you want to use as the focal point of your collage. Use an eraser tool (I like to use a solid monoline eraser option) to get rid of the background. I like to outline the subject of the photo first with a smaller eraser, to get around the details like hair and folds in clothing. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each additional photo element you want to add to your collage. Once you have all the elements “cut out” or have removed the backgrounds (each one should be on a separate layer) you can start moving them around the canvas to place them as you see fit. This is where your creativity can just flowww. You can try rotating and arranging the layers so certain elements are peeking out from behind others, use the hue/saturation tools to change colors, and so much more!
Procreate app has so many tools and options to play with. After arranging all the photos/images on my canvas, I move on to designing the illustrations, doodles, and typography using the brush tool. I like to combine hand drawn elements and text to make the collage more personal and fun. If you’re not as “artistically inclined” but still want some hand drawn elements sprinkled throughout, check out this post about my Creative Collage Elements bundle where you can download pre-made hi-res clip art elements. Simply import them to your canvas and add to your collage. Finish off by adding your logo, signature, or watermark. Now your masterpiece is ready to share!
Foundations: Materials, Tools, and Setups
Detailed information on finding materials for collages including how to collect, organize, and store images is provided, enabling you to build a robust library of textures, patterns, and imagery for future projects. This section emphasizes practical strategies for sourcing visuals, cataloging assets, and maintaining an orderly workspace within Procreate.
Procreate Basics and Best Practices
Procreate basics and best practices cover using textures, masking, blending, layering, and coloring, as well as identifying the best brushes and accessories to use. You will learn how to work efficiently with multiple layers, apply masks to non-destructively hide or reveal elements, and blend elements to achieve cohesive compositions that feel intentional and tactile.
Step-by-step Project Approaches
Step-by-step projects showcase a range of creative approaches to collage-making, including a variety of techniques, styles, and themes to try. Each project provides actionable steps to guide you from initial idea through to a finished piece, helping you gain confidence and expand your repertoire.
The author also provides artist profiles of other notable digital collage artists who share their tips and techniques, offering inspiration and practical insights into different workflows and aesthetics.
Practical Workflow: From Image to Finished Collage
Open up the Procreate app and decide on your canvas size. This practical workflow begins with choosing a canvas, importing focal imagery, and procedurally removing backgrounds to create separate layers for each element. Move and arrange elements, experiment with rotations, layering, and exposure, and then add color refinements using hue and saturation controls. The guide emphasizes that the process is iterative and encourages exploration of textures, doodles, typography, and hand-drawn elements to personalize the piece.
Engagement, Sharing, and Beyond
Finish off by adding your logo, signature, or watermark to protect your work. The tutorial also highlights the value of time-lapse videos to observe color adjustments and detail refinements, illustrating how a collage develops from concept to completion. Sharing your work on social media or as a gift-printed and framed or as a digital wallpaper-adds a personal and practical dimension to the practice.
In addition to the core techniques, the book includes insights into the author’s process during the writing and publishing journey, reflecting dedication, structure, and discipline needed to complete a project of this scope. Feedback from readers and fellow artists is encouraged, and the community around digital collage with Procreate remains active and supportive.
