James Akers
Can You *Really* Design In Procreate?? | ...

Can architects and designers *really* design in Procreate, or is it just a glorified digital sketchbook? In today's tutorial for architects, designers and students, I demonstrate the "super powers" of Procreate that make it the ideal choice to imagine your design, develop it in scale, then hand it off for further development in Rhino or Sketchup. What makes Procreate such a powerful design tool is that it combines the best of both worlds…

Can You *Really* Design In Procreate?? | Procreate for Designers
James Akers
From My Perspective

Good things really do happen when you expect them the least.

For years I’ve been on the lookout for good ways to explain the advantages of designing and rendering by hand with Procreate, versus traditional designing and rendering by hand with pencil on paper. I haven't found the exact right words yet, but I keep looking.

Then this morning I woke up and saw on Twitter that the cartoonist Gary Larson was starting to cartoon again. He retired from drawing "The Dark Side" about 10 years ago, but according to this announcement he was starting to draw again-- for fun. Not the deadline-based, cartooning with which he entertained the world for 15 years, but drawing for his own amusement. Naturally my interest was peeked! But then it got better.

From My Perspective
Procreate app technique
James Akers
Gestural Concept Sketching Techniques for Use ...

In today's masterclass, I show you how quick gestures with Procreate brushes can be all you need to create compelling concept design renderings full of life and energy

Gestural Concept Sketching Techniques for Use with Procreate Over Sketchup
Procreate app technique, Sketches
James Akers
Procreate, Architecture & Design: Sketching ...

In today's masterclass, I show you how designing with sketches can give your ideas the time and attention they need to grow, bringing your client into the creative process, as opposed to shutting them out with the false promise of half-baked photorealistic concept designs.

Procreate, Architecture & Design: Sketching as an Essential Step Before Digital Photorealism
Procreate app technique, Sketches
James Akers
Procreate, Architecture & Design: Sketching ...

In today's masterclass, I show you how Procreate can help you develop the details of your design, while simultaneously creating sketches that make your design real and "human" to your client.

Procreate, Architecture & Design: Sketching As Part of the Design and Presentation Process

Clark Smith

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My Friend Clark Is Cool (Warning: this is a long post)

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My friend Clark Smith is cool. Just look at his amazing watercolors below and tell me he's not. I call him my friend, which he is, but if you landed here from Mars right now, you would say "Why is he your friend? You haven't seen him in 5 years?" And I would have to say, well, true enough, but it seems like we just had lunch yesterday, and I don't think guys hold it against each other if their friendships lapse for, like, ten years at a time. They just pick it up again like everything was normal. Otherwise we'd have to gaze into the existential abyss and wrestle with some sort of deep feelings, and I like to leave deep things like that to the guy that makes the Hobbit movies.

traditional architectural rendering, digital rendering, architectural illustration and architectural sketching

Ok, let's start there. Clark likes tuna fish, just like I do. He used to eat it every day for lunch, just like I did. That way you don't have to make any decisions; you're just like, "Hi, can I have tuna on a roll with lettuce tomato and muenster cheese, please?" and the guy doesn't even say anything but just starts making it, and I think the deli guys actually secretly appreciate that. That way they don't have to think either.

Curious how iPad Drawing and Procreate can work for you?

Attend our free Procreate Weekend Workshop to see all the ways digital drawing can make you a better designer, and help you rediscover the benefits of drawing by hand in the Digital Age.