The short version: the free Procreate brushes worth having come from Procreate's own default library, the Resources section of Procreate Folio, artists who share free sets, freebie pages like Creative Fabrica's and Brusheezy, and the brushes you build yourself in Brush Studio. You bring any downloaded brush in with Import from Files, and it lands in the storage area you've got selected.
Most people hunting for free Procreate brushes have already looked past the ones they've got. That's a shame, because the default sets are better than their reputation. But a good free brush from another artist can change how a piece feels, and getting it into the app is where most of the questions come from.
Six places to find Procreate brushes
In no particular order:
- Procreate's default library: best for a full range of mediums and styles that are already installed.
- Procreate Folio, Resources: best for brushes and tips shared by the Procreate community itself.
- Creative Fabrica Freebies: best for daily free goods aimed at crafters and designers, brushes included.
- Brusheezy: best for browsing community-uploaded brush sets by style.
- Artists' own sites and newsletters: best for a single, well-made set from an illustrator whose work you like.
- Brush Studio: best for building exactly the brush you need, right inside the app.
Brush sets side by side
| Source | Best for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Default library | Ready to use now | Duplicate before you tweak a default |
| Procreate Folio | Community resources | What the creator allows you to do with it |
| Creative Fabrica Freebies | Rotating free goods | The licence on the freebie |
| Brusheezy | Variety | Each set's own terms |
| Artists' own sets | A specific style | Personal or commercial use |
| Brush Studio | A custom brush | Nothing, it's yours |
Free offers and terms change often, so read the page before you download.
Importing a .brush or .brushset from Files
Procreate's Handbook for version 5.4 explains it. Open your brush library by tapping twice on Paint, Smudge or Erase. Tap the plus button and you'll see three choices: Create new set, Create new brush, and Import from Files, which brings in a brush, a set or a whole library from the Files app.
Whole libraries have their own menu. In the brush library overview, tap the button in the top right and choose Import from Files, and the library is stored in whichever storage area you've got selected, On My iPad or iCloud Drive. The Handbook also notes that you can drop individual .brush files straight into a brush set folder in the Files app, and changes you make in Files show up in Procreate.
- Download the brush file to your iPad, keeping it in the Files app.
- Open Procreate and tap twice on Paint, Smudge or Erase.
- Tap the plus button and choose Import from Files.
- Pick the file. A single brush or set lands in your current library.
- For a full library, use the button in the top right of the library overview instead.
iCloud syncing and the permanent delete button
Two things catch people out. First, storage. If your brushes live in iCloud Drive, the Handbook says to allow a little more time for changes to show across Files and Procreate, so a brush that seems missing may still be syncing. Second, deleting. The Handbook is clear that deleting a brush library is permanent and removes it from both Procreate and the Files app. Before you clear out a cluttered library, use Share to export it, which saves a copy you can bring back later.
The other catch is licensing. Free to download doesn't always mean free to use in client work or products. Most artists who share free sets say what you can do with them on the download page, so read it before a brush ends up in a product or a client job.
Keeping downloaded brushes organised
Once you start collecting free sets, things get messy fast. The Handbook explains how Procreate stores them, and it helps to know. In the Files app, the folders inside your brush library folders are your brush sets, and the files inside each set folder are the individual brushes. You can copy, move and duplicate brushes and folders right there in Files, and Procreate reflects the changes after a moment. Inside Procreate, tap and hold a library to rename it, share it, duplicate it or delete it, and drag it to change its position in the list. Renaming a library changes its name in Files too, so you'll always know which set came from where.
Why Brush Studio beats most downloads
The Handbook describes Brush Studio as giving you control over shape, grain, behaviour, colour, responsiveness, opacity and taper. Duplicate a default brush, change two or three settings, and you've got something nobody else has. Procreate also remembers your tweaks as you switch between brushes, so you can test a few versions side by side without losing work.
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Drawing apps and alternatives
Free sets are brilliant for trying a style before you commit to it. If you're still choosing an app, see my roundup of free drawing apps for iPad and my list of Procreate alternatives.
My advice: keep one library for downloaded brushes, one for your own, and export both now and then. A tidy library makes you faster than any new brush will.
Run a free Procreate brush site that belongs on this list? See how to get it featured.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get free Procreate brushes?
Start with Procreate's own default library, then the Resources section of Procreate Folio, freebie pages like Creative Fabrica's and Brusheezy, and free sets shared by artists. You can also build your own in Brush Studio.
How do I import brushes into Procreate?
Tap twice on Paint, Smudge or Erase to open the brush library, tap the plus button and choose Import from Files. For a whole library, use the button in the top right of the library overview.
Where do imported Procreate brushes go?
A brush or set goes into your current brush library. A full library is stored in the storage area you have selected, On My iPad or iCloud Drive.
Can I get deleted Procreate brushes back?
Procreate's Handbook says deleting a brush library is permanent and removes it from both Procreate and the Files app. Export it with Share first if you might want it again.
Can I use free Procreate brushes for commercial work?
It depends on the creator. Check the terms on the download page before using a free brush in client work or products.
