Top 8 procreate brushes for artists

If you’ve been around here for a while, you’ll know I’m a big believer in keeping your tools simple, especially when you’re building a cohesive portfolio or trying to find your signature style as a surface pattern designer.

And honestly? You don’t need 120 brushes, 47 texture packs, and a folder of “maybe I’ll try this someday” downloads.
Most of the time, you just need a small handful of reliable brushes… and a colour palette you actually commit to.

So today I’m sharing my 8 favourite FREE Procreate brushes, ones I use constantly in both illustrations and patterns. They’re all native to Procreate, which means you don’t need to buy anything extra, and you can jump into them straight away.

Let’s get into it.

A Quick Note on Brush Overwhelm

Before we dive in, here’s one of the biggest mistakes I see artists make (and one I made too):

They switch brushes every few strokes.

When you constantly jump between different brush shapes, line weights, and textures, your collection ends up looking mismatched… which is the opposite of what art directors want when browsing a surface pattern design portfolio.

Instead, try this:

✨ Pick 5 brushes max.
✨ Choose a signature colour palette.
✨ Use them consistently across your collections.

You’ll be shocked at how much more cohesive, recognisable, and elevated your work becomes.

Alright, let’s talk brushes.

The Old Library Favourites

These have been in Procreate for years, and honestly… they’ve never left my rotation.

1. Plimsol

If you love a slightly chalky, textured edge, Plimsol is perfection.
It’s amazing canvas texture helps to add that organic, hand-painted feel we all love in surface pattern design.

2. Syrup

Syrup is my absolute go-to for confident, clean linework.
It’s smooth, bold, and perfect for outlines, whether you’re doing florals, characters, motifs, or lettering. If you want consistent line weight without wobble, this brush will be your best friend.

3. Shale

Shale adds a gorgeous gritty texture without being overpowering.
I use it for shading, adding depth to petals and leaves, or creating those subtle little textured areas that make an illustration feel more tactile.

The New Library Beauties

Procreate recently gave us a new library, and honestly? Some of these quickly became staples.

4. Pelion

Pelion feels like a soft pencil with just the right amount of tooth.
Great for lettering and also beautiful for full illustrations if you like that soft-drawn, storybook vibe.

5. Gadsby

If you love texture, real, yummy, painterly texture, this one is for you.
Gadsby gives you that contemporary gouache look that’s hugely popular in licensing right now. Gorgeous for big shapes, florals, and expressive marks.

6. Olive

Think soft, buttery brush meets subtle texture.
Olive is lovely for loose expressive botanicals and a real painterly look.

7. Nutgrove

Nutgrove is a beautiful textured liner that feels hand-crafted without being messy.
I love this for adding texture especially when playing around with blend modes for when you want character without chaos.

8. Kettering

Kettering has that perfect imperfect edge.
I love using it for lettering as it’s so smooth to write with and has a subtle brush tip feel.

How to Choose the Right Brush Set for Your Style

If you’re using Procreate for surface pattern design, especially if you want your portfolio to look professional and cohesive, here’s what I recommend:

Pick 1–2 “main linework” brushes

(For me: Shale + Kettering)

Pick 2–3 “shape and texture” brushes

(Pelion, Gadsby, and Olive are my most-used)

Use them across your entire collection

Because the more consistent your tools, the more recognisable your style becomes.

Pair your brush set with a signature colour palette

This is honestly one of the fastest ways to build a cohesive portfolio, even before you feel like you’ve found your “style.”

Want Help Creating a Cohesive Portfolio?

If you’re a surface pattern designer who’s feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or stuck piecing your work together… you're not alone. Most artists don’t need more brushes or more styles. They just need clarity and a structure.

And that’s exactly what The Polished Portfolio Method is about, helping you go from scattered work to a polished, confident portfolio that art directors actually want to browse.

You can check it out here, but in the meantime, keep experimenting, keep creating, and definitely give some of these brushes a try.