I could write wonderful things all day about my iPad Pro and Procreate but it would never be enough to really convey just how much I love them. Here’s a list of some of my favorite things surrounding iPad lettering and I hope it helps you as you’re beginning your lettering journey or if you’re looking for new Procreate brushes to love. This is a list of my favorites that stand out to me and that I really couldn’t live without having so you’re about to hear a lot of compliments but they are all extremely genuine.
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. Purchasing through these links is at no extra cost to you but if you do purchase using some of the links below, I will receive a small commission. You guys know the drill and you know I will only recommend what I love. See below for full disclosure.
Matte Screen Protector – There’s a ton of screen protectors out there on the market. This is what I personally use and I bought it because it was SO affordable. For less than $10, you get a pack of three. I use my iPad every single day (I wish I was exaggerating but I’m not) and I’m still on my very first one! You can’t beat it.
Apple Pencil Cover – This is my absolute favorite. It has a slightly triangular shape and it is the most comfortable grip for me personally. I can get a callus-type bump on my finger where I hold my pens/pencils when I’m writing and working a ton (TMI, sorry) and the slightly triangular shape has really remedied that for me because it lays more “flat” against my finger versus a rounded pen that digs in overtime. I have owned quite a few but haven’t used any other grip since purchasing this one. Regardless of the Apple Pencil cover that you purchase, I’d recommend you get one that your cap fits into because you don’t want to loose that little sucker. This one holds it in very well. I pull off the cap just like I would if there wasn’t a cover on it and push it back to charge it and it has never failed to keep my cap safe.
Phone Holder for Filming – *angels sing in background* I swear by this phone holder y’all. I use this for my Instagram videos and for my Youtube videos (and when I’m FaceTiming because I’m lazy but it’s a bonus that is worth mentioning). This is a sturdy phone holder and lets you easily get a ton of different angles with almost no effort. Unfortunately, the price has gone up a few dollars since I purchased it months ago but I can tell you that it is worth every penny.
For Lettering
Bossy Brush Bundle – Okay, I know this seems really bias because they’re my own but I seriously haven’t had to search for any other lettering brushes since finalizing my own. If you want to see them in action, you can watch this video on my Youtube channel. If you don’t believe me, check out some of the reviews and hear what other folks have to say about them.
For Watercolor
Abbie Uproot – Abbie is amazing and I’d say I have probably 90% of her brushes. The watercolor brush pack I linked to includes 49 brushes (yes, you read that right) and a ready to go Procreate canvas with different paper textures to play around with. You can also get her watercolor lettering pack here. Buy them both. You will not regret it. If you’re wondering about what you can create with her brushes, check out her Youtube channel and some of her floral tutorials because all of those brushes come in this kit. Follow her on Instagram to see her brushes in action. I have looked up to her for quite some time and can now call her a calligra-friend. Her brushes are not only the best but without doubt also the best deal on the market.
Dear Darling Design Studio – Darra is awesome. She has SUCH a unique style so if you aren’t following her on Instagram, you need to do it now because she will spark so much creativity. You know I’m always honest with you guys so I want to let you know that I actually won these brushes in a giveaway and did not purchase them myself- but I’m putting these in my favorites because they are absolutely worth it. I won these when I was still pretty new to Instagram and I was SO excited. When I won Darra followed me back and the rest of our little Instagram-friendship is history. Her brushes are truly just as unique as her style and are so much fun to have in your Procreate arsenal. This brush set includes 11 brushes (9 of which are for lettering and then one splat brush and one for painting) and includes her watercolor template as well. Her template is the one that I use almost every time I do a watercolor piece. You’re going to get the best deal if you get the bundle (and I seriously recommend them all). However, if you’re interested in only the texture template, you can snag that here. As honorable mention of a brush that it is not included in the set, I’d also like to say that I really enjoy the Soda Pop brush. It creates a bit of a “highlighted”-esque effect and is again, just a super fun brush to have in your arsenal.
Lynn Haven’s Watercolor Lettering Brush Kit – Lynn Haven’s brush kit is completely unlike any other watercolor kit as it has a completely different approach. It comes with eight brushes, five mock-ups, and an eight-page PDF file that takes you through a written tutorial so that you will be able to see the process. I don’t want to give too much away without you purchasing it but in short rather than having a brush with the texture “built-in”, her approach is a process of adding each element that makes a digital watercolor piece truly unbelievable.
Looking for lines for some guidance?
Free from Ian Barnard – No need to spend any money on gridlines as you could fairly easily make them yourself once you have a sound understanding of Procreate but let’s be honest, ain’t nobody got time for that as a beginner. Haha! This includes four grid types and I’m sure they’ll help you out a lot. Ian has made it easy to just download them for free from his website!
Composition Grids
Bundle 1 by Stefan Kunz – This is the bundle I own and they are so helpful when you’re struggling with the composition of a piece. This $12 bundle includes 25 different grids and you get them in pretty much almost any format you could possibly want (check out the product description on his website for more details about that).
Grid Builder – This was a collaboration between Stefan and Ian (the two guys mentioned above) and if you loved the grids above, this is a cool way to build your own with everything you could need included. It includes 35 individual grid shapes that you can place together and again, your purchase comes with a few formats. I won’t be too repetitive (because it is fairly straight forward) since you can read all about it by following the link and read the description. You’ll be hooked.
Just for Fun Brushes
Bossy Chalk Brush Bundle – Here I go again recommending my own brushes but you can’t blame me for loving what I create myself, right? Anyway, my Bossy Chalk Brush Bundle comes with 13 brushes for $8. Nine of them are lettering brushes and four of them are detail brushes. I’ve got photos of everything so check it out. And just like my other bundle, don’t just trust me but take a look at the reviews while you’re there!
Neon Procreate Brushes – You get a TON of things in this kit. 16 Procreate brushes, 30 color swatches, and 19 backgrounds. You also get a PDF that explains things step-by-step. I’ve used these quite a few times on my Instagram and I always get a ton of compliments and I always hear back that somebody has bought Mila’s brushes and love them! For only $6, it isn’t even a question.
That’s all for now! I hope you found this list helpful and I do my best to update it as my favorites change overtime. If you have any questions about any of the above or if you have seen me use something and think I should be listing it here, just contact me and let me know! Don’t forget you can always DM on Instagram, too! Until next time, stay bossy y’all.
