Kickstart Your Creativity with Procreate: Fun Objects Course

Editorial Take

‘Kickstart Your Creativity with Procreate: Fun Objects’ is a refreshing, beginner-friendly course that transforms simple drawing exercises into joyful creative expression. Taught by Lisa Bardot, this final installment in the Kickstart Creativity series focuses on personifying everyday items using Procreate’s dynamic tools.

Standout Strengths

• Creative Freedom: The course embraces imperfection and encourages learners to draw with whimsy, helping overcome the fear of making mistakes. This mindset shift is crucial for beginners hesitant to begin.
• Procreate Fluency: Each project introduces key app features like quick shapes, symmetry, layering, and brush customization. Learners gain hands-on experience without feeling overwhelmed by technical jargon.
• Expressive Storytelling: By giving socks, clocks, and art supplies personality, the course teaches narrative through design. This subtle skill builds emotional resonance in illustrations, a valuable trait for digital artists.
• Playful Structure: The five-object framework keeps lessons focused and digestible. Each mini-project feels like a creative win, reinforcing motivation and consistency in practice.
• Beginner Accessibility: No prior art experience is needed. The course assumes minimal skill, making it ideal for hobbyists, journalers, or aspiring illustrators starting their digital journey.
• Instructor Engagement: Lisa Bardot’s upbeat, encouraging tone creates a supportive learning atmosphere. Her step-by-step guidance feels like a friendly art session rather than a rigid tutorial.

Honest Limitations

• Shallow Technical Depth: While great for starters, the course doesn’t explore advanced techniques like perspective drawing or complex lighting. Learners seeking rigorous art training may find it too light.
• Limited Project Scope: Only five objects are covered, and each is relatively simple. Those wanting a comprehensive Procreate mastery path will need to supplement with additional resources.
• No Feedback Mechanism: As a self-paced course, there’s no peer review or instructor feedback. This lack of critique may hinder growth for learners who thrive on external input.
• Platform Misattribution: Listed under Coursera but created by Skillshare, this may confuse learners about support, access, and content ownership. Users should verify platform details before enrolling.

How to Get the Most Out of It

• Study cadence: Complete one module per week to allow time for experimentation. Spacing out lessons helps internalize techniques without burnout or creative fatigue.
• Parallel project: Redraw each object in a different style—cartoon, realistic, abstract—to stretch your skills beyond the tutorial. This builds adaptability and personal voice.
• Note-taking: Screenshot key brush settings and layer setups during videos. Create a personal Procreate cheat sheet for quick reference in future projects.
• Community: Share your drawings on social media or art forums. Engaging with others boosts accountability and exposes you to new creative interpretations.
• Practice: After each lesson, draw three variations of the same object. This reinforces learning and encourages creative risk-taking beyond the guided steps.
• Consistency: Set a weekly drawing goal—even 15 minutes—to maintain momentum. Small, regular practice sessions are more effective than infrequent long ones.

Supplementary Resources

• Book: 'Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain' by Betty Edwards complements this course by deepening observational skills and boosting creative confidence.
• Tool: Use Procreate Pocket on iPhone for on-the-go sketching practice between lessons. It reinforces muscle memory and idea capture.
• Follow-up: Enroll in 'Digital Illustration with Procreate' for more advanced techniques in shading, composition, and character design.
• Reference: Download free brush packs from websites like BrushLettering.com to expand your toolkit and experiment beyond default Procreate brushes.

Common Pitfalls

• Pitfall: Expecting professional portfolio-ready results too soon. This course builds foundational confidence—real mastery comes from consistent practice beyond the lessons.
• Pitfall: Skipping customization to mimic the instructor exactly. True creativity emerges when you adapt techniques to your own style, not replicate them.
• Pitfall: Underestimating the value of simple projects. Even basic drawings teach essential skills in shape, color, and expression when approached mindfully.

Time & Money ROI

• Time: At roughly 7 hours total, the course fits easily into a busy schedule. Most learners complete it in under a month with minimal time investment.
• Cost-to-value: Priced as a paid course, it offers moderate value—strong for inspiration but limited in technical depth. Best suited for those valuing creative encouragement over technical rigor.
• Certificate: The Course Certificate adds minor credibility but holds little weight in professional portfolios. Its real value is in personal accomplishment and skill demonstration.
• Alternative: Free Procreate tutorials on YouTube cover similar tools, but this course’s structured creativity prompts and guided challenges provide superior motivation.

Editorial Verdict

This course shines as an accessible, uplifting entry point for anyone curious about digital illustration but intimidated by blank canvases. It doesn’t aim to produce professional artists overnight, but rather to dismantle creative blocks and foster a playful relationship with drawing. The focus on everyday objects with personality turns mundane subjects into joyful explorations, making art feel approachable and fun. Lisa Bardot’s teaching style is warm and encouraging, perfectly suited for learners who need permission to experiment and make 'ugly' sketches without judgment.

That said, it’s not a comprehensive Procreate masterclass or a substitute for formal art education. The techniques are foundational, and the projects are intentionally simple. However, for its intended audience—beginners seeking creative spark over technical perfection—it delivers exactly what it promises. If you’re looking to build confidence, explore digital tools, and rediscover the joy of drawing, this course is a worthwhile investment. Pair it with independent practice and community engagement, and it becomes a springboard for ongoing creative growth.