Winter brings a magical atmosphere that inspires artists to create beautiful digital artwork. Procreate, a popular digital drawing app for iPad, offers endless possibilities for capturing the essence of the season. With its powerful tools and features, you can bring your winter-themed ideas to life.

digital drawing of vintage ice skates in procreate

These 10 Procreate winter art ideas will spark your creativity and help you create stunning seasonal illustrations. From cozy indoor scenes to snowy landscapes, you’ll find inspiration for various winter-themed projects. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, these ideas will encourage you to explore new techniques and styles in your digital art.

1) Snow-Covered Cabin Scene

A cozy snow-covered cabin nestled among tall pine trees in a serene winter landscape

Create a cozy winter forest Procreate scene with a snow-covered cabin as your focal point. Start by sketching the basic cabin shape using simple lines and geometric forms.

Add details like a pitched roof, windows, and a wooden door to bring your cabin to life. Don’t forget to include a chimney with wisps of smoke for that lived-in feel.

Surround your cabin with snow-laden evergreen trees. Use varying brush sizes to create depth and texture in the forest backdrop.

Layer white brush strokes to build up snow on the roof, ground, and tree branches. Experiment with different opacities to achieve a soft, powdery look.

Add warm, glowing light from the cabin windows to contrast with the cool blue tones of the snowy landscape. This creates a inviting atmosphere in your artwork.

Finish with subtle details like footprints in the snow or icicles hanging from the roof edges. These small touches will make your winter cabin scene more engaging and realistic.

2) Hot Cocoa by the Fireplace

A cozy fireplace with a crackling fire, a steaming mug of hot cocoa, and a warm blanket draped over a chair

Picture a cozy winter scene with a steaming mug of hot cocoa next to a crackling fireplace. This image makes for a perfect Procreate tutorial winter project.

Start by sketching the outline of a fireplace. Add bricks or stonework for texture. Draw flames inside, using warm oranges and yellows.

Next, create a mug of hot cocoa. Make it large and inviting. Add marshmallows or whipped cream on top. Don’t forget to draw some steam rising from the mug.

Include comfy elements around the fireplace. A plush rug, a soft blanket, or some fuzzy slippers can add to the cozy feel.

Play with lighting in your artwork. The fire can cast a warm glow on nearby objects. This creates depth and atmosphere in your drawing.

Experiment with different brush textures in Procreate. Use soft brushes for the cocoa’s steam and rough ones for the fireplace bricks.

Add small details to bring your scene to life. A book, a cat, or some holiday decorations can make your drawing more interesting.

3) Winter Night Sky with Aurora Borealis

The winter night sky is filled with vibrant hues of green, purple, and blue as the Aurora Borealis dances across the horizon, casting an ethereal glow over the snow-covered landscape

Create a magical Procreate winter drawing by painting the Aurora Borealis in Procreate. Start with a dark blue or black background to represent the night sky.

Add stars using a small brush with white or light yellow dots. Vary the size and brightness of the stars for a more realistic look.

For the Northern Lights, choose bright colors like green, purple, and blue. Use a soft brush and make upward sweeping motions to create the flowing effect of the aurora.

Blend the colors gently, making some areas brighter than others. This will give your aurora depth and movement.

Add a snowy landscape at the bottom of your canvas. Use white and light blue to create snow-covered hills or mountains.

You can include silhouettes of trees in the foreground to frame your sky. This adds depth to your piece and makes it more interesting.

Try using the Motion Blur tool in Procreate to enhance the flowing effect of the aurora. This can make your artwork look even more dynamic and eye-catching.

4) Cozy Knitted Sweater Design

A cozy knitted sweater hanging on a rustic wooden coat rack, surrounded by snow-covered pinecones and twinkling fairy lights

Create a warm and inviting winter scene with a cozy knitted sweater design in Procreate. Start by sketching the basic shape of a sweater on your canvas.

Choose a soft color palette that reminds you of your favorite winter woolens. Think warm grays, creamy whites, or rich jewel tones.

To add realistic texture, use knit pattern brushes in Procreate. These brushes mimic the look of knitted stitches. Apply them in layers to build up the sweater’s fabric.

Pay attention to how the knit pattern flows with the shape of the sweater. Adjust your canvas angle to keep the pattern aligned correctly.

Add depth by using shading and highlights. This will make your sweater look more three-dimensional and cozy.

For extra charm, include fun winter details like snowflakes, hearts, or geometric patterns on your sweater design. You can even add a cute animal character wearing the sweater.

Finish your artwork by adding a soft background that complements your cozy sweater. This will make your design pop and capture the essence of winter warmth.

5) Frosty Window Pattern

A frosty window with intricate ice patterns, set against a snowy winter landscape

Frosty window patterns make for a magical winter art piece in Procreate. Start by creating a new canvas with a dark blue background to represent a night sky.

Use a white brush with low opacity to add a layer of frost along the edges of your canvas. This creates the illusion of a frozen window pane.

Next, select a fine-tipped brush to draw delicate snowflake patterns. Vary the sizes and shapes of your snowflakes for a natural look.

Add some sparkle to your piece by using a glitter brush or adding small white dots around your snowflakes. This gives the impression of light reflecting off the ice crystals.

For extra depth, create a subtle glow effect behind some of your snowflakes. Use a soft brush with a light blue color to achieve this.

Don’t forget to include some negative space in your design. This helps the intricate patterns stand out and prevents the piece from becoming too cluttered.

6) Gingerbread House Decor

A cozy gingerbread house with snowy landscape, decorated with candy canes, gumdrops, and icing, surrounded by pine trees and a starry night sky

Bring holiday cheer to your digital art with a festive gingerbread house design. Use Procreate’s brush tools to create the appearance of frosted roofs and candy-coated walls.

Add tiny details like peppermint swirls, gumdrops, and colorful sprinkles to make your gingerbread house pop. Don’t forget to include a snowy background for that classic winter feel.

You can experiment with different color palettes. Try warm browns and creamy whites for a traditional look. Or go bold with bright reds, greens, and blues for a more playful style.

Consider adding characters to your scene. Cute gingerbread people or small woodland animals can bring your artwork to life.

Remember to play with lighting effects. A soft glow from within the house can create a cozy, inviting atmosphere. You might also add twinkling lights or star-shaped sprinkles for extra sparkle.

With Procreate’s layers, you can build your gingerbread house piece by piece. This allows for easy edits and adjustments as you craft your perfect winter wonderland.

7) Winter Wonderland Forest Scene

A snow-covered forest with evergreen trees, a winding stream, and a dusting of snowflakes falling from the sky

Create a magical winter forest scene in Procreate. Start with a cool blue background to set the chilly mood. Add layers of snow-covered trees in varying shades of white and light blue.

Use Procreate’s brush tools to paint delicate snowflakes falling from the sky. Experiment with different brush sizes and opacities to create depth and movement in the snowfall.

Include a winding path through the forest. This adds interest and draws the viewer’s eye into the scene. You can use a lighter color for the path to make it stand out against the darker forest floor.

Don’t forget to add some wildlife! Small woodland creatures like rabbits or foxes can bring your winter wonderland to life. Place them peeking out from behind trees or leaving tracks in the snow.

Finish your scene with some twinkling lights. These could be stars in the night sky or fairy lights strung between the trees. Use Procreate’s glow effects to make the lights sparkle and add a touch of magic to your winter wonderland forest.

8) Snowy Owl in Flight

A snowy owl soars gracefully through a wintry landscape, its wings outstretched and feathers catching the light

A snowy owl in flight makes for a stunning winter art piece in Procreate. This majestic bird’s white feathers and piercing yellow eyes create a striking contrast against a winter backdrop.

Start by sketching the owl’s basic shape. Focus on its broad wings and round body. Add details like feathers and talons gradually.

Choose a cool color palette with whites, grays, and light blues. Use texture brushes to create the owl’s fluffy feathers. Pay attention to the way light hits different parts of the bird.

For the background, consider a snowy forest or a night sky. This will help your owl stand out. Add some falling snowflakes for extra wintery feel.

Remember to capture the owl’s graceful movement. Show the wings in mid-flap or fully extended. This will bring your artwork to life.

Practice different poses to find the most dynamic one. You can look up reference photos of snowy owls for inspiration. With some patience and practice, you’ll create a beautiful winter scene featuring this Arctic hunter.

9) Festive Candle Arrangement

A cozy table with a festive arrangement of candles, pinecones, and winter greenery

Create a cozy winter scene with a digital candle arrangement. Use Procreate to draw various candle shapes and sizes grouped together.

Add warm, flickering flames to your candles using the brush tool. Play with different shades of yellow and orange to make the flames look realistic.

Surround your candles with festive decorations like pine branches, holly, or cinnamon sticks. These elements will give your artwork a holiday feel.

Use the smudge tool to create a soft glow around the candles. This will make your drawing look warm and inviting.

Try adding reflections of the candlelight on nearby surfaces. This can create depth and make your artwork more dynamic.

You can place your candle arrangement on a wooden table or a windowsill. This will give context to your scene and make it feel more like a real space.

Experiment with different background colors to set the mood. Dark blues or purples can create a night-time feel, while lighter colors can suggest a cozy indoor setting.

10) Silent Snowfall in a City

Snow softly blankets the city, covering buildings, trees, and streets in a peaceful and silent snowfall - procreate winter art idea

Picture a quiet city street at night, blanketed in fresh snow. Tall buildings line the sidewalks, their windows glowing warmly. Streetlights cast a soft glow on the snowy scene.

Use Procreate’s soft brush to create gentle snowflakes falling from the sky. Add depth by varying the size and opacity of the snowflakes. Closer flakes should be larger and more opaque, while distant ones are smaller and more transparent.

Create contrast between the dark night sky and the bright snow-covered ground. Use cool blues and purples for shadows, and warm yellows for the light from windows and street lamps.

Don’t forget small details that bring the scene to life. Add footprints in the snow, a lone figure walking with an umbrella, or a cat peeking out from behind a trash can. These elements help tell a story within your artwork.

Experiment with different brushes to create texture in the snow. Try using speckled or grainy brushes to give the snow a more realistic appearance. You can also add icicles hanging from building edges for extra wintry flair.

Exploring Winter Color Palettes

A winter Procreate palette captures the essence of the season with cool tones and subtle warm accents. You can create stunning winter-themed artwork in Procreate by selecting the right colors.

Incorporating Cool Hues

Cool blues, grays, and whites form the backbone of winter color schemes. Start with a pale blue as your base color. Add deeper shades of blue for shadows and contrast. Mix in soft grays to represent snow and cloudy skies.

For a frosty look, use icy blues and silvery tones. Incorporate lavender and light purple to add depth to your winter scenes. These cool hues evoke the crisp, chilly feeling of winter days.

Don’t forget to include some muted greens for evergreen trees or holly leaves. A touch of dark green can bring life to your winter landscapes.

Adding Warm Highlights

While winter palettes are mostly cool, warm highlights add interest and balance. Use soft yellows to represent weak sunlight or candlelight. Add hints of gold to create a magical, festive atmosphere.

Pale pinks and peaches work well for winter sunsets or rosy cheeks. For a cozy feel, include muted reds and oranges. These warm tones can represent holiday decorations or glowing windows.

Try adding warm brown tones for tree trunks or wooden structures. A splash of rust or burgundy can add richness to your winter scenes. These warm accents help create depth and contrast against the cooler background colors.

Techniques for Capturing Snow

Snow adds magic to winter art in Procreate. You can create realistic or stylized snowy scenes with the right tools and methods. Let’s explore two key techniques to bring your snow-filled artwork to life.

Using Layering for Texture

Start with a light base layer for your snow. Use a soft brush with low opacity to build up the texture gradually. Add small, random dots with a smaller brush to mimic snowflakes. For deeper snow, use the smudge tool to create drifts and piles.

Try different brush types to add variety. A speckled brush can create a powdery effect, while a textured brush can give the snow more depth. Experiment with layer blending modes like Overlay or Soft Light to enhance the snow’s glow.

Don’t forget to add some blue or purple tones to your snow for realism. Pure white can look flat.

Mastering Light and Shadow

Lighting is key to making your snow look real. Use a bright white for highlights where light hits the snow directly. Add soft shadows in cool blues or purples to show depth.

Create cast shadows from objects like trees or buildings. These shadows should be long and blue-tinted on snow. Use the alpha lock feature to add shading to specific areas without going outside the lines.

For a night scene, try using a dark blue background and add glowing highlights to the snow. This creates a magical, moonlit effect. Remember, less is often more with snow highlights – a few well-placed sparkles can bring your scene to life.

Beginner’s Guide to Procreate

close up of colorful design on drawing tablet

Our Beginner’s Guide to Procreate is the ultimate resource to kickstart your digital art journey. It covers everything from the basics of navigating the app to advanced techniques for creating stunning artwork so that you can not only get off to a strong start but gain confidence quickly. Dive in and unleash your creativity with Procreate!

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