20 Top Charcoal Brushes for Unleashing Procreate Creativity
If you’re a digital artist who’s passionate about creating stunning artworks on Procreate, then you already know the importance of having the right brushes in your arsenal. Just like traditional artists have their favorite charcoal brushes for sketching and shading, digital artists also require a diverse collection of brushes to bring their creative visions to life. In this article, we’ll explore the 20 top charcoal brushes that can help you unleash your Procreate creativity like never before.
Introduction
Digital art has revolutionized the way artists create, and Procreate has become a go-to platform for countless illustrators and designers. While Procreate offers a range of default brushes, expanding your toolkit with specialized brushes can elevate your artwork to new heights. Charcoal brushes, in particular, bring a unique organic feel to your digital canvas, mimicking the tactile experience of traditional charcoal.
Understanding Charcoal Brushes in Procreate
Charcoal brushes in Procreate emulate the distinct textures and effects that traditional charcoal mediums offer. From smooth shading to rough sketching, these brushes replicate the nuances of real charcoal, allowing artists to achieve authentic results in a digital environment. Whether you’re aiming for expressive sketches or intricate details, charcoal brushes provide a versatile set of tools.
Top 20 Charcoal Brushes for Procreate
1. Tip Top Real Charcoal Brushes for Procreate
2. Pencil & charcoal Procreate brushes
A set of 14 handmade charcoal and pencil brushes for Procreate to give a traditional media look to your drawings! The set includes charcoal brushes (great for shading), and different pencil brushes that can be used for sketching.
You will receive a ZIP containing the 14 brushes, in .brushset format.
To use these brushes, you will need:
- The iPad app Procreate (the brushes will only work in Procreate)
- An iPad + stylus: even though the brushes will work with other iPad models and third party styluses, I recommend the iPad Pro + Apple Pencil combo, as they’re currently the most precise & accurate tools for drawing in Procreate. The brushes were created & tested using an Apple Pencil so I cannot guarantee that they will behave as advertised with third party styluses.
3. Dry Media Pro Charcoal and Chalk Procreate Brushes
This is a top quality professional level set of highly realistic dry media brushes for Procreate. A long time in development, this one is really special. It contains a fine tuned set of pencils, charcoal, chalks, conte, pastels, smudgers, dusters, base textures and special blenders (you don’t even need to switch to the blend tool to use them. There are 38 brushes in total.
4. Charcoal Procreate Brushes
15 Solid charcoal style brushes for Procreate 4 and up. Perfect for drawing and coloring your next masterpiece. Used as a smudger gives the brushes a more realistic look.
This is a top quality professional level set of highly realistic dry media brushes for Procreate. A long time in development, this one is really special. It contains a fine tuned set of pencils, charcoal, chalks, conte, pastels, smudgers, dusters, base textures and special blenders (you don’t even need to switch to the blend tool to use them. There are 38 brushes in total.
6. The Charcoal Master Pack – Procreate Brush Set
Lane’s Charcoal Master Pack is a collection of finely tuned brushes for Procreate 5+.
Enjoy an arsenal of 44 brushes and tools inspired by master artists such as Andrew Loomis, Glen Keane, and John Singer Sargent.
Taking full advantage of Procreate 5’s new brush engine and the Apple Pencil’s tilt control, these brushes are capable of incredibly natural and satisfying effects.
The set includes a range of charcoal pencils, vine, willow, conté, charcoal dust, and compressed charcoal sticks. Also, special smudge and eraser tools for very natural effects.
A description of each brush and tips on how to use them effectively is provided.
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Pro Tip: Try holding the Apple Pencil between your index finger and middle finger. This makes it easier to transition between the tip (for fine lines) and the edge (for broad strokes) without having to change your grip!
7. Charcoal and pencil brushes set
In this set, you will Charcoal and pencil brushes set for creative projects.
You will love to use these brushes in Procreate on any kind of project, from illustrations for kids, grunge style illustrations, comic and realistic projects.
To use the brushes simply choose a brush, select the paint tool, and draw.
The color and width of the strokes can be adjusted easily.Charcoal and pencil brushes set
If you love the brushes or creation what you’ve made with them, don’t hesitate to share! Charcoal and pencil brushes set
IMPORTANT:
These brushes are ONLY for Procreate and for use with Pencil or compatible stylus. These brushes DO NOT WORK IN PHOTOSHOP or ILLUSTRATOR.
HOW TO INSTALL:
Download the file, Go to the file, preview the content, you will see brushes file, click on it and it will be imported to Procreate at your iPad.
8. Procreate Circlee Charcoal Chain Retro Brush
Circlee brush for the Procreate app – A digital charcoal pencil grainy texture round repeat circle loop chain brush mini .brushset pack tool iPad or iPad Pro drawing, sketching, painting, calligraphy hand lettering, for many aesthetics: cute, kawaii, retro vintage, goth, gothic, boho, artsy, school, office, work, studying, university, college, uni, teacher, student, back to school stationary, planner, planning, minimalist, punk rock, sweet, casual, cool, classy, elegant, etc. You can use these brushes for backgrounds, Facebook, Youtube, Instagram social media images, graphic design, illustration, drawing, character art, portrait art, valentines day art, birthday cards, party invitations, scrapbooking, scrapbooks, digital planning, randomly doodling, etc.
A tool for digital artists, graphic design, iPad Pro hand lettering, calligraphy, writing, planning, drawing, art, illustrating / illustration, painting and more.
Happy drawing!
*REQUIRES PROCREATE APP & IPAD / IPAD PRO
*INSTANT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD. THIS IS A DIGITAL FILE. NO PRINTED OR PHYSICAL PRODUCT OR ITEM WILL BE SENT OR MAILED*
WHAT’S INCLUDED: 2 .brushset files –
– 1 .brushset file with 3 variations of the Circlee brush and smooth line versions of each. 1 FREE brush.
(Some with pressure and opacity sensitivity when used with the Apple Pencil)
Happy drawing!
9. Procreate Rough Sketch Brush Set – 21
Procreate Rough Sketch Brush Set – 21 Sketching Brushes, Bundle Pack, Grain Charcoal Texture, Ink, Shading Brushes & Pens Portrait Drawing Illustration Graphic Design INSTANT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
2 .brushset files (7 brushes in Part 1, 14 brushes in Part 2) (as shown in the picture)
10. Charcoal Brushes
This pack is the result of hours of experimentation, which has resulted in brushes with a smudgy, life-like, soft textures that look so real that it’s hard to believe that they’re vectors. Use these tools to up your vector illustration game and create authentic looking artwork!
Use them to build subtle layers of charcoal tone but setting the opacity to ‘Multiply’.
The pack contains all of these fantastic components:
The Brushes
- 6 smudged charcoal brushes.
- 13 smeared charcoal brushes.
- 6 charcoal outline brushes.
- 8 chunky textured charcoal brushes.
- A pressure sensitive version of the brushes is also included – perfect for those who use graphics tablets (Please note that this feature only works in Illustrator CS5+).
A quick reference guide
This will help you find the right brushes for the task in hand quickly.
Example files
The bird image, the main cover image and the ‘Charcoal’ text image: Use these to see how I achieved the look.
Please note: the guide and example files are compatible with Illustrator CS5, CS6 and CC only.
Instructions
A very thorough guide on how to load, apply and then adjust the brushes is supplied.
Please note! This product is compatible with Illustrator CS1 to CC only.
11. The Procreate Charcoal Box
The Procreate Charcoal Box
Set with 7 Procreate Brushes that emulates charcoal marks.
This is a digital download.
In order to use the product all you need to do is to download the file and install it in Procreate.
Procreate Product Only!
12. The Comics MaxPack – Brushes for Procreate
2 Tech Pens
2 Super Clean Inkers
8 Sable Inkers
4 Toothy Inkers
3 Retro Inkers
6 Precise Fountain Pens
2 Organic Sumi Brushes
4 Unique Dry Brushes
4 Expressive Parallel Pens
6 Scratchy Rake Brushes
4 Versatile Sketch Markers
8 Uncanny Markers
3 Familiar Ballpoint Pens
3 Realistic Pencils
A Smooth Colored Pencil
2 Gritty Charcoals
13 Complementary Smudge Brushes
The Comics MaxPack is a set of brushes compatible with Procreate 4+
Enjoy 75 comics-focused brushes designed to give your illustrations energy and character. They’re perfect for creators of sharp web comics, grungy graphic novels, stylish editorial illustrations, elegant calligraphy, and anyone who needs subtle, rich linework. Highlights include the Sable Inkers, premium ink brushes with subtle texture perfect for the most sensitive linework. The Toothy Inkers are bold and gritty, with tilt action giving you a rough halftone just where you need it without having to switch brushes. If it’s precision you’re looking for, the Fountain Pens and Tech Pens have you covered. The Leaky Inker and Blobby Pen are perfect for retro mid-century pieces and cartoon modern flair. For calligraphers and adventurous illustrators, the Parallel Pens create dynamic thick and thin marks and realistic drying effects with tilt. They’re the ideal complement to the scratchy texture of the Rake Brushes. The Charcoal Brushes can be used to add texture and value to any piece, or on their own to create loose, fun images. When it’s time to add color, the Markers are an instant classic. They layer just like the real thing. Then finish it all off with a waxy Colored Pencil that blends just the way you’re used to. Most brushes are capable of a wide range of marks and feature unique dry brush effects when tilting with the Apple Pencil. Many of the ink brushes and markers include valuable variants like multiply blend modes that mix colors just the way you’d expect with real ink. And don’t forget, you’re not limited to linework with ink brushes, you can paint with them too! No matter the effect you’re looking to create, this is the pack you need.
To round out your brush collection, you can start with The Essential MaxPack. It contains realistic, expressive pencils, smooth pastel shaders, and more. Then loosen up and add rich texture to your paintings with The Painter’s MaxPack.
13. Carbon Brushes for Procreate and Photoshop
Justin Gerard’s CARBON Brush Sets have been developed to give illustrators digital tools for sketching and drawing that simulate the look and feel of traditional tools. This set offers 60 unique Brushes for Photoshop and Procreate that simulate CHALK and CHARCOAL texture, texture and shading. Each brush was hand-designed using samples of actual pencil, chalk and charcoal strokes on a variety of paper surfaces. They have been refined over the course of the past two years so that their tool settings are highly optimized. They will save the artist time and energy while also providing highly-nuanced, varied and interesting brush-work, line-work, and texture. Each brush contains built-in characteristics such as opacity, flow, special modes and textural effects that make each one handle in unique ways. Please see the Brush Guide in the sample images for some helpful tips on how to use the brushes to their fullest potential. These brushes have been rigorously tested and I have used them extensively during the past 2 years in each of the paintings you can see in my Artstation Portfolio. They represent the very best of my current brush line-up. COMPATIBILITY : The CARBON Brush Set is compatible with Photoshop CC on both Mac and PC, as well as Procreate, and Affinity Photo. PROCREATE INSTALLATION: The brushes were originally created in Photoshop, so they are in the Photoshop .ABR format. In the latest versions of Procreate you can import Photoshop brushes for use as Procreate brushes. This video gives a helpful demonstration of how to do so: https://youtu.be/Pq3P68X4log If you like these brushes, please check out my other sets! To learn more about my work and to receive a new brush set each month, please visit my PATREON where I am offering new Photoshop brush sets, high-res wallpapers, guides and tutorials each month! Release Notes RELEASE v1-02 – PROCREATE UPDATE *”Carbon v1-02 PROCREATE.zip” is the NEW VERSION for PROCREATE. *Added dedicated .Brushset Procreate files for both VOLUME 1 and VOLUME 2 of the CARBON set. These new files can be downloaded separately by downloading the file “Carbon v1-02 PROCREATE.zip”. Once unzipped, you will find 2 .brushset files which can be installed directly into Procreate. EVERY brush in the entire CARBON set has been modified within Procreate to perform better and more in line with its Photoshop counterpart. All brushes are now fully functional in Procreate when you instal the new .brushset files instead of the old .abr file. If you prefer the old brushes, simply instal both the new .brushset files and the old .abr files. For any brush that could not be directly matched with Photoshop (as with the erasers), a new brush was created by using the same brush stamp and retooling the settings to that the new brush would function better within Procreate. General improvements to all brushes to interpret textures more accurately. Several bonus brushes have been added that take advantage of some specific Procreate functions. *Please note that the old .abr file is NO LONG SUPPORTED for Procreate. Please use the new .brushset files for Procreate, and the .abr files for Photoshop. Thanks and I hope you enjoy these! If you encounter any bugs or errors with this version, please PM me!
14. 25 Graphite & Charcoal for Portraits
If you love the look of 25 Graphite & Charcoal for Portraits and you’d like to recreate the look in Procreate, then this set is a MUST! I’ve created a set of 25 Graphite & Charcoal for Portraits that make it really easy to get a Riso effect in Procreate. The 25 Graphite & Charcoal for Portraits are pressure sensitive giving you complete control of the look and feel of your piece. I’ve also included FOUR Paper Texture Overlay Brushes to so that you can boost the realism of your 25 Graphite & Charcoal for Portraits There are also five extra brushes, for creating your initial design. Key features: Huge variety of textures, edge effects and brush poses to suit almost any drawing style. Built from high-def analogue source materials and designed for pro-quality output. Intuitive and easy-to-use whether your’e a weekend warrior honing your craft or a full-time pro chasing deadlines and dreams. Easy to navigate brush list with dividers separating brushes by style. Includes easy-to-use ink washes and watercolors with realistic bleed and blend effects for authentic results. Have fun applying the authentic stamps to your paintings and play with clipping masks and blending modes to mimic that wonderful unpredictability of real watercolor. PLEASE NOTE: These brushes will only work with the Procreate for iPad app & Apple Pencil, and will not work in any other app. INSTALLATION: Make sure your iOS is updated and you have the latest version of Procreate App – Procreate 5 and higher . It’s very important, because some of the brushes were made with the feature available in Procreate 5. Procreate Pocket doesn’t have the feature available in Procreate 5, so you can install brushes, but some of them will behave in a different way, not as shown on the video. The canvas file will work correctly in Procreate Pocket as in Procreate 5. Palettes became available in the latest version of Procreate Pocket.
15. Procreate Brushes Starter Kit 3060368
What’s included: You will receive a ZIP containing a .brushset file that includes the 16 brushes, as well as a JPG swatches sheet for a quick preview of all the brushes.
To use these brushes, you will need:
- The iPad app Procreate (the brushes will only work in Procreate)
- An iPad + stylus: even though the brushes will work with other iPad models and third party styluses, I recommend the iPad Pro + Apple Pencil combo, as they’re currently the most precise & accurate tools for drawing in Procreate. The brushes were created & tested using an Apple Pencil so I cannot guarantee that they will behave as advertised with third party styluses.
16. The Charcoal Master Pack – Procreate Brush Set
Lane’s Charcoal Master Pack is a collection of finely tuned brushes for Procreate 5+.
Enjoy an arsenal of 38 brushes and tools inspired by master artists such as Andrew Loomis, Glen Keane, and John Singer Sargent.
Taking full advantage of Procreate 5’s new brush engine and the Apple Pencil’s tilt control, these brushes are capable of incredibly natural and satisfying effects.
The set includes a range of charcoal pencils, vine, willow, conté, charcoal dust, and compressed charcoal sticks. Also, special smudge and eraser tools for very natural effects.
A description of each brush and tips on how to use them effectively is provided.
—
Pro Tip: Try holding the Apple Pencil between your index finger and middle finger. This makes it easier to transition between the tip (for fine lines) and the edge (for broad strokes) without having to change your grip!
17. Skid Procreate Lettering Brushes
Introducing ‘Skid’ – a pack of top quality retro brushes to use with lettering and calligraphy of all types. Compatible with the Procreate application on iOS. Each brush within this set has been expertly crafted by a designer with over 15 years experience.
Please be assured that you are investing in an extremely high quality product that has been through a vigorous testing procedure to make sure you are receiving a product that will give you professional results.
Included in the pack is a guide for using all the brushes as well as an installation guide and the five unique brushes that will give you infinite results!
Brushes included:
- Skid Procreate premium brush – Pen
- Skid Procreate premium brush – Grunge Pen
- Skid Procreate premium brush – Pencil
- Skid Procreate premium brush – Charcoal
- Skid Procreate premium brush – Chalk
Have fun
18. 25 Graphite & Charcoal for Portraits – Procreate
This Graphic and Charcoal pack is super versatile. You’ll easily be able to go from sketch to a final piece in one go. Plus it comes with a Free E-book Tutorial!
This Graphic and Charcoal pack is super versatile. You’ll easily be able to go from sketch to a final piece in one go. Plus it comes with a Free E-book Tutorial!
This Brush Set will help you create pieces that look and feel like traditional media with the wonders of the digital era!
Made from Real Life textures, this Brush Set is as close as it gets to the real thing!
Included in this set:
- 25 Pressure Sensitive Graphite And Charcoal Brushes Made From Real Life Textures:
- 9 Graphite Sketch Brushes
- 7 Graphite Charcoal Brushes
- 5 Graphite Texture Brushes
- 4 Graphite Filling Brushes
- Free E-book Tutorial On How To Draw A Digital Portrait
- What is Shading and Why is it Important?
- Shading Exercises to help you Improve.
- How to Draw an Eye?
- How to Draw a Nose?
- How to Draw a Mouth?
- Face Measurements and Proportions.
- About the Procreate Graphite and Charcoal Brushset for Realistic Portraits.
This product has not been featured in a past deal.
19. Real Pencils – Procreate Brushes
This Brush-Set includes 18 custom made, realistic, and natural-looking pencils for Procreate 5. Drawing (and sketching in particular) is my most favorite thing to do. I love the simplicity of picking up a pencil and sketchbook and to just start scribbling away, letting all my creative ideas flow. It’s like keeping a journal but without words, and it’s most enjoyable when the tools don’t get in the way. There’s just something about pencil drawings that I’m deeply in love with. Perhaps it’s the rawness, the honesty and imperfection that you can see in each single pencil stroke…
This Brush-Set includes 18 custom made, realistic, and natural-looking pencils for Procreate 5. Drawing (and sketching in particular) is my most favorite thing to do. I love the simplicity of picking up a pencil and sketchbook and to just start scribbling away, letting all my creative ideas flow. It’s like keeping a journal but without words, and it’s most enjoyable when the tools don’t get in the way. There’s just something about pencil drawings that I’m deeply in love with. Perhaps it’s the rawness, the honesty and imperfection that you can see in each single pencil stroke… With this brush-set I wanted to recreate my favorite traditional tools for Procreate and I can confidently say, that this is the best set of pencils that I’ve ever used when drawing digitally. If you want to experience a more natural and realistic drawing feeling in Procreate, then I’m sure you’ll enjoy these brushes.
20. Charcoal Sketch Set – For Procreate
Everything you need to convert your ipad into a sketchpad. 5 brushes with a charcoal finish.
The pack includes: 5 brushes
- Soft Shadow
- Charcoal Paper
- Texture brush
- Hard stroke
- Messy Soft
Note: These brushes only work in procreate not in photoshop I hope you enjoy them
fully customizable
Todo lo que necesitas para convertir tu Ipad en un sketchbook. 5 Pinceles con un acabado de carboncillo.
El paquete incluye 5 pinceles
- Soft Shadow
- Charcoal Paper
- Texture brush
- Hard stroke
- Messy Soft
Nota: Estos pinceles solo funcionan en Procreate no en Photoshop
¡Son totalmente personalizables!
Choosing the Right Charcoal Brushes for Your Project
The right charcoal brush can make a significant difference in your artwork. When selecting brushes for your project, consider the style you want to achieve, the level of detail required, and the overall mood you wish to convey. Experiment with different brushes to find the perfect match for each stage of your creative process.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Charcoal Brushes
- Experiment Freely: Don’t be afraid to explore and experiment with different brushes to discover unique effects and techniques.
- Layering Magic: Combine multiple charcoal brushes on separate layers to build up complex textures and effects.
- Pressure Sensitivity: Take advantage of your device’s pressure sensitivity to vary the thickness and opacity of your brush strokes.
- Customization Is Key: Adjust brush settings such as size, opacity, and scatter to tailor each brush to your specific needs.
- Blend and Blur: Use blending modes and blur effects to seamlessly integrate charcoal elements into your artwork.
Conclusion
With the top 20 charcoal brushes for Procreate at your fingertips, there’s no limit to your Artistic Magic. With These Brushes, I have created amazingart pieces and I am sure they will help you too.
