Simple procreate landscape 🫶✨

After creating my simple Procreate night landscape, I realized how much fun it is to dive into digital landscape painting. It’s not just about replicating a scene, but about capturing a mood, and Procreate makes that so accessible. If you're looking to create your own moonlit masterpiece, here are some thoughts and tips from my recent experience. When I started my moonlit landscape, choosing the right Procreate brushes made all the difference. For the gradient blue sky, I usually lean towards a soft airbrush or a cloud brush for a smooth, ethereal blend that captures the depth of a night sky. To get those dramatic, dark silhouettes of mountains, I found a dry ink brush or even a basic round brush works wonders for sharp, distinct edges against the lighter sky. And for the water, a watercolor brush with a touch of a texture brush can really make it feel alive and reflective, especially under that full moon! Don't be afraid to experiment with the texture brushes to get that unique ‘torn paper edge effect’ I love; it adds such a charming, handmade feel to digital art, even on a screen. My process usually begins with a rough sketch of the main elements – where the moon will sit, the horizon line, and the general shape of the mountains. Then I build up the background, starting with the sky. I love how you can layer different shades of blue and purple to create a truly gradient night sky. For the full moon, a simple white circle on a separate layer with a soft glow effect applied instantly brings it to life. Remember, the key to a serene night scene is often contrast – the bright moon against the dark mountains and water creates a beautiful tension. Even when creating something purely imaginative, I often look at reference photos of night skies, moonlit lakes, or mountain ranges. They help me understand how light interacts with different surfaces and how colors appear under moonlight. You don't have to copy them exactly, but they serve as fantastic inspiration for composition and mood. Sometimes, I'll even import a photo as a reference layer in Procreate, just to pick colors or study a particular texture before hiding it. It's a great way to ensure your digital painting feels grounded in reality, even if it's a fantasy landscape. To make the landscape feel truly serene and deep, I focus on depth. Objects further away, like distant mountains, tend to be lighter and less detailed, while closer elements have more texture. For the body of water, using reflections of the moon and sky, slightly distorted, adds so much realism and a sense of calm. And if you're aiming for that 'textured, torn paper edge' look, you can achieve it by using a textured brush on your canvas edges or even cutting out your finished piece with a textured eraser brush on a duplicate layer. It's a small detail that makes a big impact and gives your digital painting a unique touch! Overall, creating a Procreate landscape, especially a night scene with a full moon illuminating the water, is a deeply rewarding experience. It's not about perfection, but about enjoying the process, experimenting with brushes, and letting your creativity flow. Don't be afraid to try different techniques, play with colors, and most importantly, have fun painting your own digital world!