To change line color in Procreate for lines you have already drawn, use Alpha Lock, the Recolor tool, the Selection tool with Color Fill, or an Adjustment layer. These four methods let you recolor existing line art without redrawing it, saving time while keeping your original artwork intact.
How to change line color in Procreate for existing artwork
Whether you want to shift the entire line art to a new hue or change only specific strokes, Procreate offers four reliable methods: Alpha Lock and Fill Layer, the Recolor tool, the Selection tool with Color Fill, and Adjustment layers for non-destructive edits. Each method works on existing pixels, so you never need to trace over your lines again.
Method 1: Alpha Lock and Fill Layer
Alpha Lock restricts painting to existing pixels on a layer, preventing color from spilling into transparent areas. This makes it ideal for instantly recoloring every line on a layer.
- In the Layers panel, tap the layer thumbnail that contains your line art and select "Alpha Lock," or swipe right on the layer with two fingers. A checkerboard pattern appears on the layer thumbnail to confirm it is active.
- Select your desired new color from the Color Panel.
- Tap the layer thumbnail again and choose "Fill Layer" from the menu. All lines on that layer instantly change to the selected color.
Alternatively, once Alpha Lock is active, you can paint over the lines with a brush using the new color for more controlled recoloring.
Method 2: The Recolor tool
The Recolor tool allows for live preview and replacement of colors in your artwork. It is especially useful when you want to target a specific color within a line and see the result before confirming.
- Select the layer containing your line art.
- Choose your desired new color from the Color Panel.
- To use the Recolor tool, you must first activate the QuickMenu and tap 'Recolor'.
- Drag the crosshair that appears to the color on the canvas you want to change. The lines in that color range will preview in your new color.
- Adjust the "Flood" slider to control how much the new color bleeds into similar shades. A lower Flood value targets only the exact color you dragged to; a higher value includes nearby tones.
Method 3: Selection tool and Color Fill
Use the Selection tool to isolate specific lines and apply a new color only to them, leaving the rest of your artwork unchanged.
- Tap the S-shaped icon in the top toolbar to open the Selection menu.
- Choose a selection mode. Automatic mode selects areas of similar color; Freehand mode lets you draw around the lines you want to change.
- Select the lines on your canvas. For Automatic, tap on a line; for Freehand, trace around the strokes.
- Tap "Color Fill" in the Selection toolbar (the bucket icon). If left active, this button automatically fills any new selections with the current color, so toggle it off when not needed.
- Alternatively, drag a color from the Color Panel directly onto the selected lines. ColorDrop works best when lines are enclosed and not too thin.
Method 4: Adjustment layers for non-destructive edits
Adjustments like Hue, Saturation, Brightness (HSB) or Color Balance shift the existing colors of lines on a layer without permanently changing the original pixels. This is ideal for experimenting with color shifts that you can later modify or revert.
- Select the layer with your line art.
- Tap the Adjustments icon (magic wand) in the top toolbar.
- Choose "Hue, Saturation, Brightness" or "Color Balance."
- Drag the sliders to shift the line color. For example, moving the Hue slider cycles through all colors, while Saturation adjusts intensity.
- Tap "Apply" to confirm, or keep the adjustment layer active for future edits.
Troubleshooting common line color change issues
If Color Fill spills everywhere, check that Alpha Lock is active on the correct layer, without it, the fill spreads into transparent areas. If the Recolor tool does not work, ensure you are on the correct layer and that the crosshair is dragged directly onto a colored pixel. For lines that are too thin for ColorDrop, use Alpha Lock with Fill Layer instead, as ColorDrop requires enclosed, substantial strokes to register.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change the line color for only part of my artwork?
Use the Selection tool (Method 3) to isolate the specific lines, then apply Color Fill or drag a new color from the Color Panel. This changes only the selected strokes while leaving the rest of the line art untouched.
Can I change the line color of an imported image?
Yes. Import the image onto a layer, then use the Selection tool to isolate the lines you want to change. Once selected, apply a new color with Color Fill or use Alpha Lock on that layer if the lines are on a transparent background.
How do I revert a line color change?
If you used an Adjustment layer (Method 4), simply delete or turn off that layer to restore the original colors. For Alpha Lock or Recolor changes, undo with two-finger tap or use the History panel to step backward. Saving a duplicate layer before recoloring also gives you a safe fallback.
How do I change color on Procreate for lines that are part of a merged layer?
If lines are merged with other artwork, duplicate the layer first. Then apply Alpha Lock to the duplicate and use Fill Layer to recolor only the lines, or use the Recolor tool to target the specific line color without affecting other elements.
What is the fastest method for recoloring entire line art?
Alpha Lock with Fill Layer is the fastest way to recolor every line on a single layer. It requires only two taps and instantly changes all visible strokes to your chosen color, making it ideal for quick adjustments during coloring, shading and rendering in Procreate.
Related reading: How To Erase In Procreate.
