Today, we’re going to learn how to draw a Thanksgiving turkey in Procreate. Drawing a turkey can be a fun way to celebrate the holiday season. With some basic shapes and digital brushes, you can create a cute cartoon turkey or a more realistic one. To get started, draw with a large oval for the body and add smaller circles for the head and wings, and make sure you follow the rest of our steps below.
You can use the shape tools in Procreate to make perfect circles and ovals. Next, add details like the beak, wattle, and feet. For the iconic turkey tail feathers, draw curved lines fanning out behind the body. Use warm colors like brown, red, and orange to bring your turkey to life.
Procreate’s layers make it easy to refine your turkey drawing. Put the outline on one layer and add color on separate layers below. This lets you adjust parts of the drawing without affecting others. With some practice, you’ll be drawing adorable turkeys for all your Thanksgiving projects.
Getting Started with Procreate
Procreate is a powerful digital art app for iPad. It offers many tools to create stunning artwork. If you’re already familiar with it, feel free to scroll down to the steps. But if you’re just getting started, we’ll explore how to get started with this popular app.
Understanding the Interface
When you open Procreate, you’ll see a simple layout. The main area is your canvas. At the top, you’ll find options like brush size and color picker. The toolbar on the left has tools like smudge and eraser. On the right, you can adjust brush settings and layers.
Tap the wrench icon to access more features. Here you can change canvas settings, add text, or use the symmetry tool. The layers panel is on the top right. It lets you work on different parts of your drawing separately.
Procreate’s interface is designed to be user-friendly. You can customize it to fit your needs. Try moving the toolbar to find what works best for you.
Choosing the Right Canvas Size
Picking the right canvas size is key for your artwork. Procreate offers preset sizes for common projects. You can also make your own custom size.
For print, use a large canvas with high resolution. This ensures your art looks crisp when printed. For social media or web use, smaller sizes work well.
Consider your iPad’s memory when choosing a size. Larger canvases use more layers and can slow down your device. Start with a medium size if you’re unsure.
To change canvas size, tap the wrench icon and select ‘Canvas’. You can resize your artwork here too. Remember, it’s easier to make art smaller than to make it bigger later.
Basic Procreate Tools and Techniques
Procreate has many tools to help you create art. The brush tool is the most basic. You can choose from many brush types or make your own.
The smudge tool blends colors together. Use it to create smooth transitions. The eraser tool removes parts of your drawing. You can use any brush as an eraser.
Layers are very useful in Procreate. They let you work on different parts of your art separately. You can move, resize, or hide layers as needed.
The color picker helps you choose colors for your art. You can save your favorite colors in palettes. This makes it easy to use them again later.
Practice with these tools to get comfortable. Try different brushes and experiment with layers. Soon you’ll be creating amazing digital art in Procreate.
Materials Required
To draw a Thanksgiving turkey in Procreate, you’ll need a few key digital art supplies and a proper workspace setup. These will help you create a fun and festive turkey illustration.
Selecting Your Digital Art Supplies
For your Procreate turkey drawing, you’ll need an iPad and Apple Pencil. The iPad Pro or iPad Air work well for digital art. Make sure your iPad is charged and updated. Download the Procreate app from the App Store if you haven’t already.
Pick some turkey-themed colors in Procreate. Browns, oranges, reds, and yellows work great for a Thanksgiving palette. You can also add fun accent colors. Create a new canvas in Procreate sized for your project. Choose brushes that mimic markers, colored pencils, or other art tools you like.
Setting Up Your Workspace
Find a comfy spot to draw your turkey. Good lighting helps you see your screen clearly. Use a stand to prop up your iPad at a good angle. This prevents neck strain during long drawing sessions.
Keep your Apple Pencil charged and ready. Have a soft cloth nearby to clean your screen. Close other apps to free up memory for Procreate. Turn on Do Not Disturb to avoid distractions while you draw. Make sure you have enough free space on your iPad for your artwork.
Step 1: Drawing Fundamentals
Drawing a Thanksgiving turkey in Procreate starts with mastering basic shapes and understanding turkey anatomy. These skills will help you create a realistic and appealing turkey drawing.
Sketching Basic Shapes
Start by sketching simple shapes to form your turkey’s body. Use circles for the main body and head. Add ovals for the wings and tail feathers.
In Procreate, create a new layer for your sketch. Pick a light color for easy erasing later. Use the 6B pencil brush for a sketchy look.
Try different sizes and positions until you’re happy with the overall shape. Don’t worry about details yet – focus on getting the basic form right.
Anatomy of a Turkey
Now, let’s look at turkey anatomy to add realism to your drawing. Turkey bodies are plump and rounded. Their necks are long and S-shaped.
The head is small compared to the body. It has a distinctive wattle (the red flap under the beak) and snood (the fleshy bit above the beak).
Turkey wings are short and rounded. The tail fans out in a semicircle when displayed. Legs are sturdy with scaly skin.
In Procreate, use the reference feature to keep a turkey image nearby as you draw. This will help you get the proportions and details right.
Step 2: Create the Basic Outline of the Thanksgiving Turkey
Start with a simple shape for the turkey’s body. Add key features like the head, neck, and tail to bring your drawing to life.
Sketching the Turkey’s Body
Begin with a large oval shape in the center of your Procreate canvas. This will be the main body of your turkey. Use a light pencil brush for easy erasing.
Make the oval slightly tilted, with the wider end towards the bottom. This gives your turkey a more natural pose.
Add a smaller circle at the top left of the oval for the turkey’s head. Connect it to the body with a curved line for the neck.
Draw a fan-shaped semi-circle at the back for the tail feathers. This should be about half the size of the body oval.
Adding Features and Details
Draw two thin legs coming down from the bottom of the body. Add small triangles at the ends for feet.
Sketch a small, curved triangle for the beak on the head. Put a tiny oval above it for the eye.
Add some wavy lines on the tail to show individual feathers. Don’t worry about making them perfect – rough shapes work well.
Draw some curved lines on the body to show where the wings fold. This helps give your turkey more depth.
Finally, add a small flap of skin called a wattle under the beak. This is a key feature that makes your drawing look like a real turkey.
Step 3: Add Colors and Textures
Bringing your turkey drawing to life involves selecting the right colors and creating realistic textures. This process transforms your sketch into a vibrant Thanksgiving centerpiece.
Choosing a Color Palette
Pick colors that match a real turkey’s appearance. Use brown, tan, and reddish-orange hues for the body. Add white, black, and blue accents for details. In Procreate, tap the color wheel to select your palette. Save these colors to your swatches for easy access.
Create a new layer for each major color area. This helps you stay organized and make changes easily. Start with 3-4 main colors, then add more as needed.
Applying Base Colors
Begin with the largest areas of your turkey drawing. Use a soft brush to fill in the body with a medium brown. Paint the tail feathers with darker shades.
Add a reddish tone to the turkey’s wattle and snood. Color the beak a yellow-orange. Use the alpha lock feature to keep colors within the lines.
Blend colors together using Procreate’s smudge tool. This creates smooth transitions between different shades.
Creating Textures for Feathers
To make feathers look real, use a variety of brush strokes. Choose a thin brush and draw short, curved lines over the base color. Vary the direction and length of these lines.
Use the layering system in Procreate to add depth. Create a new layer and set it to multiply mode. Paint darker shades on this layer to add shadows to the feathers.
For a fluffy look, use the soft airbrush on a low opacity. Lightly brush over the edges of the feathers. This gives a soft, downy appearance to your turkey.
Step 4: Give Life to Your Turkey Drawing
Adding depth and personality to your turkey drawing brings it to life. A few key techniques can transform your sketch into a vibrant, eye-catching artwork.
Working with Shadows and Highlights
Use Procreate’s layering system to add shadows. Create a new layer and set it to “Multiply” blend mode. Pick a darker shade of your base colors and paint shadows under the turkey’s body and feathers.
For highlights, make another layer set to “Add” or “Overlay”. Choose a lighter color and brush over areas where light hits, like the top of the head and edges of feathers.
Adjust layer opacity to fine-tune the effect. This creates depth and makes your turkey look more three-dimensional.
Adding Expressions to Draw a Funny Turkey
Give your turkey character with expressive eyes. Make them big and round for a cute look, or add eyebrows for different emotions.
Play with the beak shape. A slight curve can make your turkey look happy or sad. Add a wattle (the red bit under the beak) and change its shape for more personality.
Tilt the turkey’s head or body slightly. This simple trick adds movement and life to your drawing. Try different poses to create a unique, funny turkey that stands out.
Step 5: Final Touches and Exporting
After drawing your Thanksgiving turkey, it’s time to polish and share your artwork. These steps will help you refine your drawing and prepare it for export.
Reviewing Your Artwork
Take a step back and look at your turkey drawing as a whole. Check for any areas that need touch-ups or adjustments. Make sure the proportions look right and the lines are smooth.
Use Procreate’s zoom feature to inspect details closely. Pay attention to the turkey’s feathers, beak, and legs. Ensure the colors blend well and match your vision.
If needed, refine edges or add extra details to bring your turkey to life. Don’t be afraid to make small changes – they can have a big impact on the final result.
Using Procreate’s Adjustment Tools
Procreate offers powerful tools to enhance your turkey drawing. Try the following:
- Adjust brightness and contrast to make colors pop
- Use the hue/saturation tool to tweak color intensity
- Apply gaussian blur for soft, feathery effects
- Experiment with color balance to create mood
Play with these tools to see what works best for your turkey. Remember, subtle changes often look more natural than drastic ones.
You can also try different layer blend modes to create interesting effects. Overlay or soft light modes can add depth to your artwork.
Exporting the Final Turkey Drawing
When you’re happy with your turkey, it’s time to export. Procreate gives you several options:
- Choose ‘Share’ from the top menu
- Pick your preferred file format (PNG, JPEG, PSD, PDF)
- Select the size and quality settings
For sharing online, JPEG or PNG work well. If you plan to edit later, save a PSD file too.
You can also export a time-lapse video of your drawing process. It’s fun to watch and great for sharing on social media.
Remember to sign your artwork before exporting. Add your name or initials in a corner of the canvas.
For learn more and follow our step-by-step guide, check out Export How to Export from Procreate.
Practice Makes Perfect
Drawing turkeys in Procreate takes time and effort to master. Regular practice helps you improve your skills and develop your own style.
Continuously Learning and Improving
Start with simple shapes and build up to more complex designs. Focus on one element at a time, like the turkey’s body or feathers. Try different brush types to create varied textures. Experiment with color palettes to give your turkey a unique look.
Watch step-by-step tutorials to learn new techniques. Join online art communities to get feedback on your work. Save your progress to track your improvement over time.
Tracing and Referencing
Use reference images to study turkey anatomy and proportions. Procreate’s layers feature lets you trace over photos to understand shapes and details.
Create your own step-by-step guide by breaking down the turkey into basic forms. Start with circles and ovals for the body and head. Add triangles for the beak and feet. Build up details like feathers and wattles in separate layers.
Try tracing your favorite turkey drawings to learn new styles. Remember to only use this as a learning tool, not for creating final artwork.
Beginner’s Guide to Procreate
Frequently Asked Questions for How to Draw a Thanksgiving Turkey in Procreate
Drawing a Thanksgiving turkey in Procreate can be fun and rewarding. Here are some common questions about creating turkey artwork using this digital tool.
