What core Procreate brushes do pros actually rely on?

[EvelynTJ]

I've been using Procreate for digital illustration for about a year and have amassed a huge collection of free and paid Procreate brushes, but it's become overwhelming and counterproductive; I spend more time testing different brushes than actually painting, and I haven't developed a consistent, efficient workflow because my toolset is so scattered. I'm looking to pare down to a minimal, versatile set for character art and environments, but I'm unsure how to evaluate which brushes are truly essential versus just novel. For professional illustrators who use Procreate as a primary tool, what does your core brush kit look like? How many brushes do you actually use regularly, and what characteristics do you prioritize (e.g., texture, responsiveness, blending) when selecting or creating brushes for different stages of a painting, from sketching to final details?

[Eric.B]

Totally relatable. I trimmed my Procreate library to about 7 core brushes and archived the rest. Sketching uses 2 light pencil-type brushes; painting uses 3 for blocks, shading, and edges; texture brushes cover details and environments. Keeps the workflow fast and predictable.

[Nathan_A]

My core kit (7 brushes) that covers most bases:
- Pencil sketch (HB with subtle texture)
- Ink line (crisp, pressure-responsive)
- Flat fill (hard round, with size jitter)
- Soft airbrush (shading)
- Texture brush (skin, fabric, grit)
- Dry brush (directional texture for hair/foliage)
- Glaze/overlay (color passes and highlights)
Plus a simple blender for clean edges. I keep them in a 'Core' folder and label each brush so I know when to reach for it.

[Stella.S]

Workflow by stage:
- Sketch: pencil brush with light pressure.
- Block color: flat fill.
- Build depth: soft airbrush.
- Edge and texture: texture brush to add surface without crowding.
- Details: fine brush for micro lines and highlights.
- Final polish: glaze brush to push color and a small highlight brush.
Important: avoid duplicating brush types; if two brushes feel identical, delete one. Also keep brush settings consistent (pressure, opacity) across brushes for predictable feel.

[AndrewJ]

Two-week test plan:
- Week 1: rely on core kit only; create two small pieces.
- Week 2: test new brush additions; pick 1-2 to adopt into core kit.

[Justin.T]

Organization: set up 'starter kit' folders: Core, Sketch, Paint, Texture, Detail; label clearly; color-code icons; keep a short 'how I use this brush' note in the brush's description.

[Alexander.L]

Question to tailor:
- What devices are you using (iPad Pro vs iPad Air, which Apple Pencil)?
- What style are you aiming for (cartoon/ stylized vs realistic)?