Easy Paper Cutout Effect in Procreate - Beginner Tutorial

You can draw this in Procreate. During this easy Procreate tutorial I will guide you through the steps of creating this paper cutout desert scene. Creating paper cutout art in Procreate is actually super easy and it gives a really great effect. So by the end of this tutorial you will have an illustration just like this one. You only need the brushes that are already in Procreate and I have linked a color palette in the description. My aim is to have a great time together during this tutorial and if you end up enjoying this a lot then you should know that I have hundreds of other Procreate tutorials as well. You can explore them all at Art With Flow including my exclusive Patreon tutorials. That's the place you need to go if this is turning into a serious but really fun addiction. But now for this tutorial we're working on a canvas that is 2300 pixels by 3000 pixels. So if you are ready let's get started. Let's start by grabbing our brush. We'll go to the calligraphy brushes and use the script brush and for our first color we'll grab this one over here. That's the first color in the first row. Now the opacity of the brush should be at 100% and the size I have that set to 12%. Now we are going to make our first line and it should be about well like two thirds up from the bottom of your canvas and I will just make a wobbly line from left to right and then you can drag in the color underneath. Now we'll make a new layer on top of this one so we'll go to the layer menu to two little squares and tap the plus and then we'll go to the next color. That's the second color in the first row and I will make another wobbly line just a little bit lower a little bit different. You can go above the other line or very close to it all the way to the other side and then drag in the color again. I'll make another layer so again we'll tap the plus and then for our color we'll grab this one third color in and then we'll start a bit lower again go up here wobble down a little bit back up all the way to the right and drag in the color. Then for another one let's tap the plus in our layer menu again and then let's grab the fourth color in the first row and I will start here go up make a line all the way to the right and drag in the color. Now I want to give this layer a bit of a color variety so we'll go to the layer menu we'll tap this layer and then turn on alpha lock so now we can only paint on the shape and then for the brush I'd like to go to the airbrushing brushes and use the soft brush and for the color we'll go back to that third color in the first row. The opacity of this brush is at 60 percent and let's set the size to 15 and then just go over this area a little bit to give it a slight gradient but the top is still pretty light. I'll make another layer on top of this so we'll tap the plus and we'll go back to our calligraphy brush our script brush and for the color we'll go back to the fourth color in the first row and I will make another layer of paper just like this and go up and down and drag in the color then we'll make another layer on top of this one we'll tap the plus and then for our color we'll grab the fifth color in the first row and again you can guess it we'll make a wavy line and drag in the color underneath then again we'll have the plus for another layer and we'll go to the next color which is the sixth color in the first row and then another wavy line grab something like this and then drag in the color. Now of course you don't need to copy these lines exactly just create your own version. Now let's make another layer let's tap the plus and then for the color we'll go for this one over here that's the eighth color in the first row and let's make a shape like this all the way to the right and drag in a color now you can start adding some gradients to these layers just like we did with this little hill I want to go to layer two here for instance and tap the layer turn on alpha lock and I want to add a little bit of pink on this layer you can go to the airbrushing brushes again to the soft brush and for the color we'll grab this one second color in the second row and I'll add a little bit of pink here to the top just a little bit you can play around with the colors on your layers by yourself and then once you have something that you like we can move on to the next stage and make this look like paper but before we do that let's also create a gradient for our sky and let's do that by tapping the plus for a new layer now we need to drag that layer underneath the others because it's all the way in the background then for the color we'll grab this one fourth color in the second row and we'll drag it on there now let's grab this first color in the second row and add some blue here to the top let's make multiple strokes and then grab this pink first color in the first row add that a little bit lower here multiple strokes again and then at the bottom we'll also use some orange that second color in the first row just add that all the way at the bottom like this and then let's blur it by going to the magic wand and then to gaussian blur and then slide to the right with your pen or your finger on the screen and let's go for 40 percent and then tap the magic wand again so this is what we have right now and now we are going to add that paper effect that i talked about and for that we are going to do a simple step but we will need to repeat it for all of these layers let's start with the one in the that's this one over here layer one let's slide to the left to duplicate it then we'll go to that bottom layer and then we are going to grab this color over here that's the fifth color in the second row and drag it onto that layer so when you go to your layer menu you'll see that that one is very light then we'll go to the move and transform tool and then we'll tap like twice maybe a little bit to the left to add this effect of of a white little edge as if it's this thick paper that has this this white in the center like between the layers let's move it one more time to the left to get something like this now we could also do this for all the layers at once actually if you duplicate each of these layers we'll slide to the left tab duplicate each of these this one and then the top one so we have all these duplicates but just keep in mind that for this one for example for layer two we have a little gradient and we can't just drop in the color because you would still see a little gradient now to completely fill this one we need to tap this layer and we already have alpha lock turned on actually so we don't have to turn that on just make sure that it is turned on and then use fill layer and then that entire layer is filled with a light color and for the other ones we can simply drag in the color until we come to a layer that has a gradient again like this one we need to tap it alpha lock is already turned on so we can use fill layer we'll go to this one drag in the color and then the next one layer six drag in the color and drop in that light color for all of the lower layers so the top layers are still colored and the bottom ones are light now we can select all of these light layers like this just not the bottom one because we already did that one now we can go to the move and transform tool tap up twice and one time to the left maybe twice and now we get this nice paper effect then you can tap the arrow and then we can merge all of these layers well not all of the layers just the light layer with the colored layer each time pinch the ones that belong together now we are going to add in some shadow and the process is a bit similar let's start with the bottom one slide to the left tap duplicate and go to the bottom one tap it and turn on alpha lock then let's drop in a color let's use this one over here eight color in the first row drag it in there then go back to the layer menu tap the n and set it to multiply by scrolling up this layer blending mode is great for adding shadows then we'll tap the layer turn off alpha lock that's an important step otherwise you can't blur it then we'll go to the magic wand to gaussian blur slide to the right to let's say 10 then go to the move and transform tool and place it a bit to the right like this just slightly and then we will repeat these steps for the other layers now you can do this a bit faster by batching your task so first duplicating all of these layers again sliding to the left and tapping duplicate and then for each of the bottom layers tap it turn on alpha lock tap it again and actually this one already has this color but still we need to fill it with the color because we have that light edge there and this one tap it turn on alpha lock tap it again and use fill layer do that for all of these you can also slide to the right with two fingers to turn on alpha lock and tap it and fill layer do whatever you please but just fill all of these layers this one already has alpha lock turned on so we don't need to turn that on anymore for this one we do so all of these layers will be purple now we need to turn off alpha lock for these layers so you can slide to the right with two fingers on these layers and then we need to set the layer blending mode to multiply so for each of the bottom layers tab the m scroll up to multiply tab the m scroll up to multiply until all of them are set to multiply and then this one so this is your layer structure right now now we need to blur all these layers unfortunately you can't blur multiple layers at once so we need to do that for every layer we need to go to the magic wand into gaussian blur and slide to 10 we just go to all of these layers slide it to 10 back to the next layer go to the magic wand and to gaussian blur we'll just go for 10 for each of the next one this one magic wand gaussian blur and finally this one so now all of these layers are blurred now we just need to move them now you can select all of these layers and then move them all at once but it can also be nice to have a little bit of variety in their movement let's start with layer two here go to the move and transform tool now the further you pull the shadow away the further the paper appears to be from the other layer of paper so you can vary with that a little bit let's go to the next one into the move and transform tool slide it to the and then the next one we'll do this for all of these layers all of our shadow layers to the right and maybe a little bit lower this one and then finally this one go to the move and transform tool maybe make a bit of a bigger shadow here so we get that variety and tap the arrow and now you can see that since we moved the shadows you get a little bit of a weird edge here you see you get that crisp little edge we can just fade that a little bit we can go to these layers and use the eraser and set it to a soft brush like the soft brush under airbrushing and then you can just gently go over there now I have the opacity of this brush at 80 percent with the size at well let's set that to 10 and then gently go over here to make that fade and just go along all of these layers use your eraser and gently fade it and this one will make it nice and tidy we'll just go along all of these shadow layers we'll go to this one now we're going down then we'll go to this one then for this one we're not seeing any crisp edges because it's behind that other hill so we can skip this one we'll go to layer two here the shadow layer of layer two fade this a little bit and then the top one or well the bottom one of the layers this shadow layer and remove this now on the other side we also have a bit of an issue with that light edge you see a little gap an easy way to fix that is actually make these layers just a little bit bigger just extend them a bit so let's select all of them we have them all then go to the move and transform tool we can set it to freeform and just extend it a bit so we don't get that edge and then just tap the arrow now once you're happy with these hill shapes and you want to save some layer space go to the layer menu and select the background layer as well and then pinch these all together like this now we are going to make another set of hills so first tap the plus for a new layer and then we'll grab our script brush again under calligraphy and then for our color we will grab this one seventh color in the first row and we are going to make another hilly shape and we'll drag in a color and we'll make another one we'll tap the plus and now for the color we'll grab this one fifth color in the first row and we'll make a hilly shape here drag in the color then another layer tap the plus let's grab this color eighth color in the first row make a shape like this drag in the color then another layer tap the plus and of course you can vary with the colors you can pick your own mix things up let's go for the ninth color now in the first row at least that's the color i will use like this drag in the color then let's tap the plus in our layer menu again and grab the next color which is the tenth color in the first row and let's make shape like this drag in the color and then another layer let's tap the plus grab the previous color the ninth color again in the first row and let's make a shape like this and then another one let's tap the plus and then let's grab this color first color in the second row for a nice blue hill shape drag in the color and then another one let's tap the plus grab the next color second color in the second row make a shape over here and then finally another one let's tap the plus grab the next color third color in the second row and let's make another one over here and then drag in the color and now for these layers of paper we are going to follow the exact same steps as we used for the other pieces so you can just repeat those steps for all of these so again we'll start with that paper edge duplicate that bottom layer make this one light with that fifth color in the second row and then go to the move and transform tool move it upward and to the left a little bit to get that edge so do that for all these paper layers like this and then we need the shadows again now you go to the layer menu you see that i've already merged the light edge with the colored layer and now for the shadow you just need to duplicate the layer again go to the bottom one tap it turn on alpha lock then grab this color a color in the first row back to the layer tap it use fill layer tab the n and set it to multiply then turn off alpha lock then go to the magic wand use gaussian blur slide to 10 and then move your shadow into the move and transform tool moving it slightly this one is very subtle and then tap the arrow again and then follow the step for all of the layers again like this then for the layers for which it is necessary you can use the eraser again to smooth that out that little shadow just go along the layers tidy it up just for the ones where you where you see that then we might have a little issue here yeah along the edges we can select all the layers again just not the one in the background so slide to the right on all of these layers then go to the move and transform tool have it set to free form and move it just a little bit so we don't have that weird edge and then once you're happy with these layers we can start merging again now we can't merge these layers yet to save our layer space first we are going to add some cacti and we are going to do that at the bottom but on top of this layer so we'll tap our bottom layer then we'll tap the plus now we're going to draw in some cacti and for the color we are going to use this one that's the seventh color in the first row and for our brush let's use the monoline brush and then let's go ahead and make a cacti here we can set the brush to 100 in size opacity at 100 as well now let's just make a line going up you can tap one finger on the screen to make it perfectly straight align to the side and going up make some very very simple cacti then we can make the brush a little bit smaller let's set it to 65 add some extra stuff here we add a little bit here then you go even smaller to 30 percent one extra thing here and then let's also make a few over here let's go up here make a thin one maybe it can be a little bit thicker let's just make an extra line and then these like arms now let's go thicker again let's set the size to 100 make a thick one next to it then we'll go smaller for the sides 65 percent then go up and over here i think these look nice now to give them a bit of like a paper effect we are going to turn on alpha lock on this layer and then we'll grab a special brush which you can find under industrial and that's the corrugated iron and i think it gives a nice like cardboard effect for the color i think we can use this one 10th color in the first row the opacity should be at 100 let's set the size to maybe three let's check that out yeah that's nice let's just go over the left sides a bit add a bit of this texture and over here as well and then we can add that paper effect by duplicating this layer we'll slide to the left tap duplicate then go to the bottom one and now we need that light color again that fifth color in the second row then tap the layer use fill layer then go to the move and transform tool and move to the left and up a bit maybe a bit less something like maybe this then tap the arrow now we have these cacti we can merge all these layers together at least if you're happy with your result and if you want to save layer space of course now if you want to be able to save all these layers but you can't make any new layers then what you could do is duplicate your entire project and in that duplicate project you can merge all the layers but you'll still have your original layers in that first original project i'm just going to merge them all together let's see if we can do that let's start with these you just gently move up until we can see all the layers and pinch them together next we're going to add even more cacti but first we'll make a layer on top of this all we'll tap the plus and then for our color we'll grab this one fourth color in the second row and for our brush we need to go back to the calligraphy brushes and use the script brush we'll make another final layer of paper over here wobbly line drag in the color then follow the paper and shadow steps again so you get this and then we are going to add some bigger cacti we'll tap our bottom layer then we'll tap the plus and then we'll grab this color again seventh color in the first row and let's use our monoline brush again and let's first set it to 100 and make one cacti over here just a very simple one another arm over here and then let's also make some thicker ones let's go up here and make a rounded shape and go down close the shape and then drag in the color the upper little arm here drag in the color and then maybe somewhat of a longer one here round shape and down little arm and keep it very simple just don't forget to close the shape and these shapes they just need to be easy to cut out if this was real paper don't make it too complicated i do feel like maybe this one is a little bit too thick it seems a bit too similar to the other one so what you can do is just go to the selection tool the s shaped ribbon then set it to freehand make sure that color fill is not turned on and select this one like this then go to the move and transform tool the little arrow and then while you have it center free form you can just change the shape a little bit adjust it make it something like this and then tap the arrow again now we are going to add that nice texture again so we'll tap the layer turn on alpha lock then go back to the industrial brushes and use the corrugated iron and for the color we'll grab the 10th color in the first row again but let's make the brush just a little bit bigger maybe seven percent let's check that out perfect and again let's just go over the left sides a bit adding some of that nice texture you can actually also add a little bit of shadow you can grab this color fourth color in the second row and also use this brush on the right sides to shape these cacti a little bit not too much then we'll add that paper effect again so we need to duplicate this layer then go to the bottom one select that light color fifth color in the second row back to the layer tap it use fill layer and go to the move and transform tool and go to the left and up a little bit to get that nice little edge and then tap the arrow again at this point of course you can merge the layers again once you're happy so let's pinch them together and now let's add a moon to our scene we'll tap the plus and for our color we'll grab this color over here sixth color in the second row and for our brush we'll go back to the calligraphy brushes and use the monoline brush let's set the size to 30 and let's draw a circle here hold your pen in place and tap one finger on the screen for a perfectly round circle and then drag in the color but then we'll go to the layer and we'll tap it and add a layer mask by tapping mask and now with your color set to black you can draw another circle here hold your pen in place tap one finger on the screen they can go and tap circle here at the top to move it around a group or something like this and then you can drag in the color into that black circle and now that part of our moon is blocked it's masked once you're happy with that you can just pinch these together and you'll just have this moon shape on your layer now let's add that paper effect here let's duplicate this layer go to the bottom one and grab the lighter color fifth color in the second row drag it on there and go to the move and transform tool and move it just slightly to get a slight paper effect then let's go to this top layer tap it and turn on alpha lock then we'll go to the soft brushes the soft brush and we'll add a little bit of pink here let's grab this color third color in the second row and let's just go along this edge here add a little bit of color variety to this moon paper then for our shadow for our moon let's first pinch these together then slide to the left tap duplicate go to the bottom one then for our color we'll grab grab this one seventh color in the first row tap the layer turn on alpha lock tap it again and use fill layer then tap it again and turn alpha lock back off and now we are going to blur it let's go to the magic wand and to gaussian blur slide to the right to maybe 12 percent then go to the move and transform tool move it to the right to about here and i want to place the shadow a bit further away from our moon so that it appears as if our moon that this piece of paper is further away from the bottom paper now let's go to the layer tap the end set it to multiply so that it gets darker and i actually like this now for a final touch we are going to add in some stars let's make a new layer on top of the others let's tap a plus here now for our color we'll grab this one over here fifth color in the second row our light color and for the brush we need the monoline brush again let's zoom in a little bit now let's make our brush nice and small let's set it to five percent and then make a star shape like this then hold your pen in place and then you can tap edit and zoom in you can adjust it a little bit you get a star like this so to make a star like this you go from here to the top with a diagonal line then downward then you go up here and make a horizontal line and then you go back to your starting point now once you have this you can drop in the color and use continue filling here at the top to fill your shape now we have a nice star shape but we are going to make it a lot smaller so let's go to the move and transform tools set it to uniform then use the handles to make it smaller and you can rotate it a bit move it around and then tap the arrow now we are going to duplicate it slide down with three fingers and then tap duplicate then move it around maybe make it a bit smaller tap the arrow again and then duplicate it again now you can either swipe down with three fingers again or you can go to your layer menu and duplicate the layer there of course you can just slide to the left tap duplicate then go to the move and transform tool and move it around let's just keep doing this and make some smaller stars as well tap the arrow duplicate it again every time you can just slide down with three fingers duplicate it until you have a nice selection of stars i think this looks nice now let's merge these stars together and then duplicate this layer so we can make a shadow layer for our stars let's tap the bottom one then use alpha lock then go and grab this color again seventh color in the first row go back to the layer and use fill layer then tap it again and turn off alpha lock now let's go to the magic wand and use gaussian blur slide to the right just slightly maybe go for five percent then let's go to the move and transform tool to move the shadow like this and then tap the arrow again and to make it appear as if these stars are turned a little bit and as if they are casting a bit of a different shadow we are going to use the smudge tool so tap the smudge tool and let's go to the airbrushing brushes and use the soft brush and let's make it nice and small maybe four percent and the opacity or the strength is at sixty percent now let's go in here and just pull that shadow a little bit as well pull it away from the star and just slightly for these smaller ones as if these are casting a longer shadow now let's go to the layer tap the end and set this to multiply so that it nicely darkens and if some are a bit too far you can also push them back a little bit with that smudge tool it's like you can push and pull the paint and the colors on your canvas i think this is a very nice effect now let's add some strings to these let's make a new layer underneath this let's tap our moon then tap the plus for the color we need this one again fifth color in the second row and for our brush let's go to the inking brushes and use maybe the fine tip let's see if that's thin enough yeah that's very nice and thin let's go a bit bigger maybe twenty percent that's fine with the opacity at a hundred and we want our lines to be perfectly vertical and you can do that by making a line holding your pen in place and then tapping one finger on the screen just make all these lines from the tips of your stars these are very thin strings and you can play around with their color a little bit by tapping this layer and turning on alpha lock and then you can go to the airbrushing brushes and grab a purplish color for instance this one first color in the second row and then with the airbrush you can go over some parts of these strings to make them blend a bit more with the background or if you feel like they are not prominent enough then you can also just duplicate this layer maybe even twice and then merge these layers to make them a bit more prominent you can play around with that now let's just add a few more stars on a separate layer we can tap the plus we can grab our calligraphy brushes use the script brush and for the color we'll go back to that light color fifth color in the second row and then we can just go in and also add some extra stars for an extra effect and if you press harder you will get a bigger dot a brighter star if you press lightly it'll be small but of course this only works if you have a pen that has pressure sensitivity like the apple pencil otherwise you'll just need to vary your brush size so like this and that's it for your lovely paper cut out desert scene thank you for watching