Procreate comes with solid default brushes. However, if you’re serious about digital art, expanding your library will transform your work. I’ve tested hundreds of sets to find what is actually worth your storage space—and your money.
Having the right brushes is just like having the best digital art tools in your studio; they won’t make the art for you, but they make the process much smoother.
The Best Free Procreate Brushes
MaxPacks Free Brush Sets
Max Ulichney releases professional-quality free brushes that feel like premium products. These are optimized for performance and won’t lag on older iPads.
- Where to get them: Gumroad (Search for MaxPacks).
- Standout Sets: The “Rusty Nib” effects are perfect for authentic ink and pen work.
DAUB Brushes (Free Samples)
DAUB offers generous free sample packs. If you enjoy these, their paid sets are some of the best investments you can make for realistic textures. You can find these at daub-brushes.com.
RetroSupply & Lisa Bardot
For vintage aesthetics, RetroSupply is the industry leader in grain and grit. If you prefer a painterly style, Lisa Bardot offers surprisingly realistic watercolor simulation brushes for free.
Premium Brushes Worth the Investment
DAUB Vevey Brush Box ($15)
This is the most versatile premium set I own. It includes 70+ brushes covering painting, inking, and texturing. It is a professional all-purpose toolkit that replaces the need for dozens of smaller packs.
True Grit Texture Supply ($12–$29)
These are the industry standard for halftone and grain effects. Their Grain Shader pack is essential for adding depth that is nearly impossible to replicate manually. These are true tools, not just gimmicks.
Freebies and Tips: Gouache ($12)
This is the best gouache simulation I have tested. If you want your digital painting to feel like traditional paint, this pack’s opacity buildup and blending are remarkably authentic.
How to Organize Your Brush Library
Once you accumulate brushes, organization is key to a fast workflow. A cluttered library can lead to “creative chaos,” which is why I recommend building organization systems for your digital files just as you would for your physical studio.
- Delete what you don’t use: Too many brushes slow down the app.
- Create custom sets: Group brushes by project type, such as “Portrait Work” or “Quick Sketches.”
- Backup your favorites: Always export your custom sets to iCloud.
Free vs. Paid: When to Invest?
Stick with free brushes if you are still exploring your style. However, you should invest in premium packs when you start doing client work. Time saved on specialized effects easily justifies the $15–$20 cost. Remember, the right tools are accelerants, not shortcuts.
If you’re looking to turn your digital art hobby into a career, check out our guide on business software for solo entrepreneurs to help manage your commissions and workflow.
What are your go-to Procreate brushes? Drop a comment below.
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