How to Use Blend Modes in Procreate

You can add different effects to your artwork by using Blend Modes in Procreate. This is a great way to make quick changes to your artwork like darkening, creating highlights, or changing color. In this tutorial, we will show you where to find and how to use Blend modes in Procreate. Procreate blending brushes are excellent for use in blend modes. We will be using a set of galaxy brushes to demonstrate each Blend Mode in our tutorial.

Please note: we are using the latest version of Procreate 5X. This feature is only available in Procreate 5 and not earlier versions, ensure your Procreate is up to date before continuing.

What are Blend Modes

Blend Modes are effects that use objects and colors on two layers and determine how those two layers interact and blend with each other. When you have two layers your bottom layer is considered the base layer and the top layer the color layer. When working with blend modes applying an effect on the top layer will change how that layer is applied to the one below.

You can create interesting and unique artwork by using Blend Modes with the flick of a finger. Procreate has also made Blend Modes easily accessible and given you the freedom to scroll through each and see a live view of the changes.

Change the Blend Mode in Procreate

Locating and applying Blend Modes in Procreate is easy. Seeing as Blend Modes are applied to a single layer we highly recommend if you are new to Procreate to see how to work with and use Procreate layers to take get the most use out of Blend Modes.

Get to the Blend Modes:

First, let’s look at where you need to go to get to Blend Modes. 1) Start by going to the “Layers” panel (Stacked squares icon) on the top right. Now, look at a layer and look for the (N) letter on the right, next to the checkbox.

2) Tap on the (N) to see the Blend modes.

Change and apply a Blend Mode:

After tapping on the (N) you will see a dropdown of Blend Modes as well as Opacity. 3) is your opacity for that specific layer and does not apply to your whole canvas. 4) Are all of the Blend Modes. A new layer will automatically have the (N) letter which stands for Normal blend. The normal blend doesn’t add any effects.

To preview or set a new Blend Mode simply scroll up or down. The blue highlighted Blend Mode is the applied mode to your layer. To Keep that Blend Mode applied tap on the layer or on the canvas. You will see the letter changes to the current Blend Mode.

What each Blend Mode does

Let’s have a quick look and explanation as to what each of the 26 Blend Modes does. Each blend offers a unique effect that acts differently based on how light or dark your base and blend layer is. Keep in mind (Normal) isn’t added here and is explained in the section above.

Multiply:

Multiplies the base color by the blend color for an overall darker and more intense effect. Perfect for creating shadows or darkening images.

Darken:

Compares the base and blend color and keeps the darker of the two. Darken makes no change when the color layers are the same.

Color Burn:

Color Burn usually has darker results than Multiply. The contrast between the base and blend colors is increased.

Linear Burn:

Gives a darker result than Multiply but is less saturated than Color Burn.

Darker Color:

Similar to Darken but takes all the RGB channels instead of individually.

Lighten:

Opposite to darken, compares the base and blend colors and keeps the brightest of the two. If the blend and base colors are the same there are no changes.

Screen:

Screen makes different levels of brightening on the values of the blend layer. Ideal for brightening images and highlights.

Color Dodge:

Creates a brighter effect than Screen by decreasing the contrast between the base and blend colors.

Add:

Similar to Screen and Color Dodge, it produces even stronger results. Reflects the blend color by increasing the brightness.

Lighter Color:

Similar to Lighter but takes all the RGB channels instead of individually.

Overlay:

Lightens and darkens images by shifting the mid-tones. Depending on light or dark tones the color shift will go darker or brighter.

Soft Light:

Softer version of Overlay by applying subtle dark or light effects.

Hard Light:

A combination of Multiply and Screen that results in more intensity.

Vivid Light:

An extreme version of Overlay and Soft Light. Anything darker than 50% gray is darkened and lighter is lightened.

Linear Light:

Produces very strong results by combining Dodge effects on lighter pixels and Burn effects on darker pixels.

Pin Light:

Makes Darken and Lighten effects simultaneously, which has a patchy look with mid-tones removed.

Hard Mix:

Used to flatten details with a super flat and saturated look. Uses only white, back, and the six primary colors for the result.

Difference:

Uses the difference of the base and blend colors to make the blend.

Exclusion:

Works the same as Difference on black and whites but doesn’t darken grays.

Subtract:

Subtracts brightness from colors in a dramatic way. Already dark areas make little change.

Divide:

Divided is the opposite of Subtract with darker colors creating brighter results and light areas have little change.

Hue:

Changes the hues in a layer while keeping the tones and saturation.

Saturation:

Keeps the brightness and hues of the base layer while taking the lowest saturation value for each.

Color:

Perfect for layers over the top to color monochrome images.

Luminosity:

Keeps the hue and saturation of the base layer while taking the luminosity of the blend layer.

Now you know where to find and how to use Blend Modes in Procreate. You don’t have to know each Blend Mode off by heart so play around and see which works best for your project. If you found this tutorial to be helpful you don't want to miss our other Procreate guides on how to fill a shape, how to color match objects, and how to make a gradient.