From Sketch to Storybook: My Step-by-Step Illustration Process in Procreate
Every illustration in my picture book ’Are You Bored?’ starts with a simple idea - a moment, a mood, or a feeling I want children to connect with. Bringing that idea to life involves a layered process full of small decisions, playful experimentation, and intentional detail.
In this post, I’ll walk you through my Procreate illustration workflow using one of the final pages from ‘Are You Bored?’. Whether you’re a parent curious about how picture books are made or an aspiring illustrator looking for behind-the-scenes tips, I hope this gives you a glimpse into how much love goes into every page.
1. Rough Sketch (0:01)
I always begin with a very loose sketch to block out the composition and general idea. At this stage, I’m not worried about details or polish—it’s just about capturing the pose, layout, and energy of the moment.
Tip: I sketch using a pencil brush and I lower the opacity of the layer with the sketch so I can draw on top of it later.
2. Fixing the Sketch (0:06)
Once I’m happy with the composition, I refine the sketch on a new layer. I adjust proportions, clarify expressions, and make sure everything is balanced on the page. This version serves as the foundation for my line work and colouring.
3. Base Colours (0:08)
I create a clean new layer underneath the sketch and start blocking in flat base colours. These act as the building blocks for the character and background elements.
Tip: I use a harmonious colour palette to keep the mood consistent across the book.
4. Shadows (0:20)
To add depth, I use the Multiply blending mode on a new layer above the base colours. This allows me to paint shadows while keeping the original hues underneath visible. I focus on light direction and form - especially around the face, limbs, and smaller elements.
5. Overlay and Unification (0:33)
Next, I usually change the sketch into a color that is the main tone of the illustration and change it to an overlay layer to unify the overall tone of the illustration. This adds warmth, mood, or lighting effects, depending on the scene.
6. Details and Texture (0:38)
This is where things start to come to life. I refine the facial expressions, add texture to clothing and hair, and build in small objects or environmental touches that ground the character in the scene.
7. Shiny Details (0:45)
I add small shiny or reflective touches, especially to the most important elements of the illustration to add a little sparkle. In this case I want the viewer to be focused on the books as well as the boy’s expression. This adds a sense of depth and realism without overloading the page.
8. Blue Highlights (0:54)
Using the Add blending mode on a new layer, I introduce subtle blue highlights. This cool light gives the image dimension and adds visual contrast to warmer tones.
9. Pink Highlights (1:09)
I follow the same technique for warm highlights - this time using soft pinks to add warmth to cheeks, noses, and clothing edges. These subtle glows help the characters feel more alive and expressive.
10. Final Artwork (1:25)
Once all layers are in place, I make any final adjustments - color balance, saturation, and edge refinements - before flattening and exporting the illustration.
Final Thoughts
Working in Procreate allows for so much flexibility and creativity. My goal with every illustration is to support the story while giving children something to notice, wonder about, or feel. I want each page to be more than just a picture - it should be an invitation into the story.
If you’re curious to see this process in motion, you can watch the full timelapse on my YouTube channel or follow me on TikTok or Instagram, where I regularly share behind-the-scenes clips from my studio.
