Stage one
Explore ideas with quick thumbnails
A Procreate class for all skill levels
The hardest part of an illustration is often the first 5 minutes
This class fixes that with a simple 5-step workflow that makes starting (and finishing) your illustrations much easier.
Inside this class, I’ll show you the exact process I use when creating illustrations in Procreate.
All in one bite-sized, practical class designed for artists, illustrators, and creatives of all levels.
⚡︎ Instant lifetime access
A blank canvas can feel surprisingly intimidating
Not because you don’t have ideas, but because the path from idea to finished illustration isn’t always obvious.
Should you sketch first?
Start with color?
Refine linework?
Add details?
When it all feels like the right place to start, it becomes easier to hesitate.
Over time, I realized the easiest way to remove that friction was simply to follow a process: an easy, clear sequence of steps that guide artwork from the very first idea all the way to the final piece.
That’s exactly what you’ll learn in this class.
Throughout the lessons, we’ll move through this process together while creating a playful character illustration from start to finish.
You’ll see exactly how the artwork evolves at every stage, beginning with rough thumbnail sketches and gradually developing into a polished illustration.
This kind of step-by-step process helps remove the pressure of getting everything right at once. Instead, you focus on one stage at a time.
And before you know it, the piece is finished!
The process that makes illustration easier
Instead of guessing your way through a drawing, you’ll move through a simple five-step workflow that keeps the creative momentum going. We'll move through:
Stage two
Turn your favorite idea into a loose sketch
Stage three
Build your illustration with color shapes
Stage four
Add personality with stylized details
Stage five
Bring everything together with shading and finishing touches
Why working in stages matters
One of the biggest challenges artists run into is uncertainty.
When you’re trying to make too many creative decisions at once, everything slows down.
You start adjusting details before the composition works.
You add shading before the shapes are established.
You jump between layers of the process instead of moving forward.
Breaking illustration into stages removes that pressure.
Each step has a single job and when you know what stage you’re in, you know exactly what to focus on.
The result is a workflow that feels calmer, clearer, and a lot more enjoyable.
Peggy has a way of explaining things that suddenly makes everything click. I used to feel overwhelmed when starting a new illustration, but having a clear process made it soo much easier to move from idea to finished piece!
I’ve taken other Procreate classes before, but this is the first time the entire illustration process actually made sense. Breaking it into stages completely changed how I approach my artwork.
This process took the pressure off my artwork. Instead of trying to solve everything at once, I could focus on one stage at a time. It made creating feel fun again.
I enrolled in this class just for fun but I didn’t realize how much I needed a simple process until I learned this one!
What I loved most about this class was seeing the artwork evolve step by step. It helped me understand how to build an artwork piece instead of just jumping in and hoping it works.
This made the whole process feel much more doable.
I don't usually write reviews but I just had to for this class. I’ve always struggled with having ideas, or I thought I did. but honestly I didn't think about how many ideas I actually do have and I never thought of how I might start to execute them. But now I am making so much more artwork!
Ummm how did I NOT DO THIS BEFORE??? This phase workflow process is a game changer!
Meet your instructor
hey I'm Peggy
Over the years I’ve taught thousands of artists how to feel more confident creating their own work, including digital art using Procreate. One thing I’ve noticed again and again is that most people don’t struggle with ideas. What they struggle with is knowing how to move an idea all the way to a finished piece.
That’s exactly why I love teaching illustration as a process.
That’s why I love teaching illustration as a series of stages. When you know what step you’re in, the whole process becomes calmer, clearer, and a lot more fun.
I can't wait for you to dive in with me!
This class is perfect for you if...
- feel stuck when starting a new illustration
- want a clear process for working in Procreate
- have lots of ideas but struggle to finish pieces
- want a simple workflow you can reuse again and again
Listen, you don’t need advanced Procreate skills for this class. As long as you’re comfortable creating a canvas and drawing basic shapes, you’ll be able to follow along.
Got a question?
What if I've never done digital art before?
The class is designed for all levels. I explain each Procreate tool and technique as I use use it, so you're never expected to know something before it's been shown to you.
How long is the class?
An easy breezy 45 minutes. It packs a punch in a short amount of time. I'd consider it one of the most useful in terms of what you'll apply to every illustration you make afterward.
Will this work with my style?
Yes. The five-step process is style-agnostic! While we do create a silly little character together, the process itself works for character illustration, botanical art, lettering-adjacent illustration, loose sketchy work, tight rendered work, all of it. The workflow is about structure, not aesthetic.
How long will I have access?
You'll enjoy lifetime access to the course so you can learn at your own pace and revisit the content whenever you need a refresher.
I have a different question.
If you have more questions or need further clarification, my team is here to help! Please feel free to reach out to hello@thepigeonletters.com
Let's ensure all your questions and concerns are answered so you can embark on this journey with confidence!
Give me an hour and you'll be more relaxed and oh so excited about Procreate!