Free Gouache Squirrel Tutorial for Procreate

This free tutorial walks you through a gouache-style squirrel in Procreate: fur texture, warm lighting, and readable shapes. Download the free files so your sketch and colors stay aligned with the lesson.

Paint along with the video, and use a gouache set if you have one loaded. Prefer a ready pack? See the Gouache Brush Set.

Step 1: Add a layer of texture using the Twotap Gouache Paper 4.  Brush this texture all over the layer. Change the layer mode to Linear Burn and then lock this layer. This layer should be on top of all the succeeding layers so that all the layers will have this same texture. Add a layer of green using Twotap Gouache Rolling No. 1 and the Blender Brush No. 4. we used a Twotap drawing template for the squirrel but you can also sketch use the sketch file provided in the download folder.

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Step 2: In separate layers, slowly add the base colors using Twotap Gouache Thick No. 1 and Twotap Gouache Thin No. 7 brush.

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Step 3: Add a clipping mask layer on top of the base layers to add details using Twotap Gouache No. 4 and Twotap Gouache Thin No. 17. Follow the same process for the leaves, using Twotap Gouache Thick No. 1.

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Step 4: For the final touches, use Twotap Gouache Thin No. 4 to add stripes to the Squirrel's back. Add leaf veins and details to the mushroom using Twotap Gouache Thick No. 4. Use Twotap Gouache Thick No. 1 in other areas that need more detail.

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And there you have it. We just finished illustrating our sweet furry friend! Please don't forget to share your finished version online, tag Twotap. We love seeing progress with the Twotap Realistic Gouache Brush Set.

Your squirrel illustration is complete. Try a second pass with a different palette, or continue with more animal studies in Twotap’s free tutorial library.

Ready for more opaque color work? Try the Gouache Brush Set, or explore animal and character courses in the Twotap catalog.