The primary method to fill in a shape in Procreate is called ColorDrop, a drag-and-hold technique that instantly adds solid color to any closed area. This is the fastest way to fill in a shape in Procreate, whether you are adding base colors or working on more complex coloring, shading and rendering in Procreate.
How to fill in a shape in Procreate with ColorDrop
ColorDrop is the main tool for filling enclosed areas. Procreate offers a wide range of pre-defined shapes, such as squares, circles, triangles, and more. You can also create your own custom shapes using the drawing tools. To use ColorDrop, first select your desired color by tapping the Colors icon in the top right of the interface. Then, drag the Active Color icon (the small circle in the top right corner) directly into the area you want to fill. Instead of releasing immediately, keep holding your Apple Pencil or finger down. While holding, drag left or right to adjust the ColorDrop Threshold. Dragging left reduces the fill aggression, helping to prevent color from bleeding into nearby areas, while dragging right increases it, useful for filling shapes with slight gaps. Release once the fill looks clean.
How to use a reference layer for clean fills
To keep your line art and colors on separate layers, use the Reference Layer feature. In the Layers panel, tap the thumbnail of your line art layer and select "Reference" from the menu. Create a new layer below the line art layer. Now, when you perform a ColorDrop on this new layer, the color will automatically respect the boundaries of the reference linework. This is a non-destructive workflow that keeps your artwork organized and allows you to edit colors without affecting your outlines.
How to use continue filling and recolor
After completing a ColorDrop, a "Continue Filling" option appears at the top of the interface. Tapping this lets you tap other enclosed areas to fill them with the same active color, speeding up repetitive work. For changing existing colors, use Recolor mode. Access it from the QuickMenu or by tapping "Continue Filling with Recolor" after a ColorDrop. In Recolor mode, a crosshair appears. Drag the crosshair to the area you want to change, select a new color, and adjust the "Flood" slider at the bottom to control how aggressively the new color replaces the old one.
Troubleshooting: why ColorDrop fills the whole canvas
If ColorDrop fills the entire canvas instead of just your shape, there are two likely causes. The first is a gap in your shape's outline. ColorDrop requires a completely closed shape to work correctly. Check your line art for any small openings and close them. The second cause is a ColorDrop Threshold that is set too high. When you drag the color into the shape, hold and drag left to lower the threshold. A lower threshold will prevent the color from bleeding out through tiny gaps or into the surrounding canvas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fill an entire layer with a solid color?
Open the Layers panel, tap your desired layer twice to open Layer Options, and then tap "Fill Layer." This fills the entire layer with the currently active color. Note that this option respects active selections and Alpha Lock, meaning it will only fill within those defined areas if they are enabled.
Can I use the Selections tool to fill a specific area?
Yes. Tap the Selections icon (the S-shaped icon), choose a selection method like Freehand or Automatic, and enable "Color Fill" (highlighted blue). Then make your selection on the canvas, and the area will be filled with the active color.
How do I fill a shape with a gradient or pattern?
ColorDrop only fills with solid colors. To use gradients or patterns, apply Alpha Lock or a Clipping Mask. Alpha Lock restricts painting to the existing pixels on a layer, while a Clipping Mask clips the content of one layer to the layer directly below it. You can import your own textures or patterns to use as fills. Procreate supports various file formats, such as PNG, JPG, and TIFF.
Can I use ColorDrop on a group of layers?
No. ColorDrop only works with a singular layer. To fill across multiple layers, you must merge them or use a different method like selections.
How do I remove a fill color from a shape?
Select the shape, tap the color palette, and choose the transparent color option (the small checkerboard pattern). This removes the fill, leaving the shape empty. You can save your customized fill options as a preset, making it quick and easy to apply the same fill to multiple shapes.
Related reading: How To Erase In Procreate and How To Lasso In Procreate.
