Although I most often sketchnote using pen and paper, I also use procreate for digital sketchnoting. When I started I spent a while exploring the different default brushes to learn what did what. That meant I often found myself rooting around and spending vital time searching for a suitable pen instead of actively listening and sketching.

After a while, I started to settle upon a few useful tools including a custom brush or two that I picked up along the way. But this introduced a different problem. I couldn’t quickly get to the brush I wanted.

The Problem with the default Procreate Brush Layout

One brush I used was in the top section of pencils, another in the final imported set I had created. Another was somewhere around the middle in the brushes set.

This added friction and time when sketchnoting and took more mental processing power.

It’s no wonder many sketchnoters prefer apps like linea and paper which have fewer options. In fact, this had been the approach I had adopted for a long time.

A simpler app without the power features except when I was sketchnoting a book or other content where I could take my time.

Saving time and mental energy with a Custom, Sketchnote Brush Set

A month or so ago I solved my transition problem with a simple solution. A custom set of brushes specifically for sketchnoting.

This is the digital representation of my dual micron set up. A thin pen, thick pen and brush pen for a wide variety of basic needs. Then a couple more experiments and textures for other purposes.

This allows me to use the app I really like with creative limits and I can add more to my sketchnotes later.

If you’d like to download my custom set of procreate brushes for sketchnoting. Click this link.