If you’re a digital artist using Procreate, you know how important color accuracy is. Whether you’re color-matching for a project or just experimenting with shades, the eyedropper tool is an essential feature that helps you quickly select and apply colors with precision. This quick guide will show you exactly how to use and customize the eyedropper tool in Procreate so you can streamline your workflow.
Step 1: Open your artwork / Import a photo
Before using the eyedropper tool, make sure you have a photo or artwork open in Procreate. This allows you to sample colors directly from an image or painting. If you need to bring in a reference, tap the wrench icon, then go to Insert a photo under the "Actions" menu. Now you're ready to start sampling colors!
Step 2: Set Up the Eyedropper tool for quick access
Procreate offers multiple ways to activate the eyedropper tool, and customizing it can make your workflow much smoother. Here’s how to set it up:
- Tap the wrench icon in the top-left corner.
- Go to Preferences.
- Select Gesture Controls.
- Find the Eyedropper settings.
- Choose your preferred activation method (e.g., touch and hold, a special gesture, or a dedicated button).
I personally prefer the “touch and hold” gesture since it lets me quickly grab colors without extra steps.
Step 3: How to use the Eyedropper tool
Now that your eyedropper settings are in place, here’s how to use it:
- Apply the eyedropper gesture you chose in the previous step. For my settings (tap and hold), I’ll tap and hold on the canvas on the color I want to select.
- The eyedropper tool will activate, displaying the selected color.
- Drag your finger around to preview different shades in real-time.
- Release your finger to confirm the color selection.
- The selected color will now appear as your color setting, ready for use.
Note: You’ll see the selected color on the top of the eyedropper, with the previous color at the bottom. This is a helpful reference if you’re looking to see how the colors interact, or if you’re looking to select a similar shade. In short,
- The newly selected color appears on top.
- The previous color remains visible underneath.
Setting up the eyedropper tool for quick access in Procreate will save you time while improving the accuracy of your color selections.
Give it a try and see how much smoother your workflow becomes! Got any Procreate tips of your own? Share them—I’d love to hear what tricks you use to make digital art easier and more fun!
Want more tips and tutorials? Check out my other Procreate resources, including my FREE Procreate Jump Start class! It’s everything you never realized you needed to know 🥳
