Procreate Tutorial: “Surrealism Poster” by Bryan C’ngan

Bryan C’ngan’s Surrealism Poster is a bold, dynamic blend of surreal aesthetics, childhood memories, and a love for vibrant colors.

"This artwork is special to me as it marks my first Skillshare class, created during the pandemic when I couldn’t travel or see friends.

Inspired by my love for camping, vibrant colors, and collaging since childhood, I combined elements like trees, the moon, and space with a trippy, dynamic aesthetic. The use of orange and blue reflects my favorite colors, creating a dreamy, psychedelic atmosphere that evokes movement and the joy of a good trip.

I used image manipulation by layering and blending elements like clouds, trees, and celestial objects to create depth and a surreal feel. Techniques such as chromatic aberration, motion blur, and adjustments in brightness and saturation were key in achieving the psychedelic look, enhancing the colors and giving the composition a sense of movement.

For someone trying to recreate this artwork, I recommend experimenting with colors and effects—don’t be afraid to push boundaries and add unexpected twists. Play with layers, use masks to hide and reveal details, and adjust colors to create a cohesive and vibrant look. Trust the process and let your creativity flow." - Bryan C'ngan

Curious to learn how to make your very own version of this piece? Or want see Bryan's creativity in action? Follow this step-by-step tutorial below!

Recommended Procreate Brushes

All brushes used in this piece are native in Procreate, including:

• Luminance Brushes (Light Pen, Monoline Brush)
• Airbrush (Soft Airbrush)
• Texture Brushes (Grunge, Noise)

Step-by-Step Tutorial from Bryan

Ready to have your own attempt at this piece? Here's Bryan's own instructions on how to make this fun and trippy artwork below.

Step 1: Set Up Your Canvas

Open Procreate and create a new canvas, sized 11 x 17 inches at 250 DPI.

This size ensures high-quality prints and works well for social media sharing.

Tip: Use a large canvas to allow more room for details and adjustments.

Step 2: Import and Prepare the Base Image

Start by importing your main image (e.g., a landscape or cityscape) as the base of your artwork. Go to “Actions” > “Add” > “Insert a photo.”

Use the Selection Tool with Automatic mode to remove the background or unwanted elements. Adjust the threshold to refine the selection.

Tip: Always use a mask instead of deleting parts of an image. This allows you to make non-destructive edits.

Step 3: Layer Additional Elements

Add other images such as clouds, trees, or celestial objects. Position them creatively to add depth and interest. For each layer, use masks and the selection tool to blend elements seamlessly into the composition.

Adjust brightness, saturation, and hue to match the color scheme, primarily using orange and blue for that vibrant, trippy look.

Tip: Experiment with the placement and size of each element to achieve a balanced composition.

Step 4: Apply Effects for a Trippy Aesthetic

Use Procreate’s Adjustment Tools to add chromatic aberration for a holographic effect, and motion blur to introduce a sense of movement.

The Liquify Tool can twist and warp elements like trees to create a surreal, dreamlike effect, enhancing the psychedelic vibe.

Tip: Don’t overdo the effects; subtle adjustments often work best to maintain visual harmony.

Step 5: Enhance with Light and Color

Use Luminance brushes like the Light Pen to add glowing highlights, especially around focal points like the moon or any light sources.

Adjust the brush size and opacity to create realistic lighting effects.

Add bold color accents like orange circles or other abstract shapes to tie the composition together.

Tip: Use complementary colors to make elements pop and guide the viewer’s eye through the artwork.

Step 6: Final Touches and Refinements

Add small details, such as birds or stars, to fill empty spaces and add interest without overwhelming the piece.

Adjust the overall color grading and apply a light motion blur to create a cohesive, dreamy atmosphere.

Tip: Step back periodically to assess your work from a distance; this helps in spotting areas that need tweaking.

The Final Result