would you let a gel pen choose the color of your art?

Sometimes, the best way to make art is to let go of control. That’s exactly what I did in my latest Procreate experiment: I let a random pen color decide the direction of my illustration. The result? Some questionable color choices and a reminder that art doesn’t always have to be perfect.

embrace the bad art

We get so caught up in making things look polished or perfect that it’s easy to forget the joy of just creating. I reached into the mystery pen box, pulled out a color, and committed to making a floral in Procreate based only on shades of that color. Did it turn out good? Absolutely not. But was it fun? Deeply. I had to lean into mistakes, unexpected combinations, and messy lines. Honestly, that’s where the fun really came in.

why playing matters

• It sparks creativity you wouldn’t normally explore.

• It’s a great way to experiment with color and composition without pressure.

• It reminds you that art is about the process, not just the final product.

give it a try

Next time you open Procreate (or grab your sketchbook), try letting something random guide you:

• Roll a dice for the brush type.

• Pick a color blindly.

• Use a tool you’ve never tried before.

See what happens! You might create something surprisingly delightful… or gloriously awful. Either way, you’ll be practicing, experimenting, and most importantly, having fun.

Check out the full video on YouTube and see how this random pen color adventure turned out: