22 Best Free Fur Brushes for Procreate in 2025: An In-Depth Guide

If you‘re a digital artist with an iPad, chances are you‘ve heard of Procreate. This powerful illustration app has taken the creative world by storm since its launch in 2011. With an intuitive interface, responsive brushes, and an ever-expanding suite of features, it‘s no wonder Procreate has become the go-to for professional and hobbyist artists alike.

According to data from Sensor Tower, Procreate has been downloaded over 50 million times and consistently ranks as one of the top paid apps in the App Store. In 2022 alone, it generated nearly $40 million in revenue—a testament to its value and popularity among artists.

One of the key features that sets Procreate apart is its ability to import custom brushes. While the app comes with an impressive array of default brushes, the real magic happens when you start adding brushes made by other artists. These brushes can help you achieve specific textures and effects that would be difficult or time-consuming to create from scratch.

For artists looking to draw realistic animal fur, using specialized fur brushes is a game-changer. With the right set of brushes, you can render smooth, fluffy, spiky, or curly fur in just a few strokes. No more painstakingly drawing each individual hair!

Over the past few years, the quality and variety of fur brushes for Procreate has exploded. Talented brush makers have created incredibly lifelike brush sets that mimic the textures of real animals. Some artists even specialize in capturing the unique fur patterns of specific breeds.

But with so many fur brush packs available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That‘s where this guide comes in. As a Mac software expert and Procreate enthusiast, I‘ve scoured the web to find the best free fur brushes for Procreate in 2025.

I‘ve categorized the brushes by fur type, analyzed the pros and cons of each set, and provided tips on how to use them effectively. Whether you‘re a beginner or a seasoned pro, these brushes will help take your animal art to the next level.

The Best Free Fur Brushes for Procreate

1. Short Fur Brushes

Fluffy Fur Brush Set by NKArtStudio

Smooth Short Fur by Frankentoon

Soft Fur Brush Pack by Eldar Zakirov

2. Long Fur Brushes

Realistic Long Fur by Georg‘s Procreate Brushes

  • Set of 8 brushes for long flowing fur or hair
  • Ideal for manes, tails, and glamorous characters
  • Directional brushes follow the shape of the fur
  • Download link: https://georgbrush.gumroad.com/l/longfur

Silky Smooth Hair by Namia Brushes

Furry Wisps by Tipscale.studio

3. Curly & Wavy Fur Brushes

Curly Fur Pack by Blush Lane Studio

Crimped Fur by InkyWinkies

Wavy Locks by Tiptop Brushes

4. Animal-Specific Fur Brushes

Deluxe Cat Fur Pack by Shelley Vanessa

Rabbit Fur by ArtistMef

Fur & Feathers by GrutBrushes

Husky Fur Builder by Sadie Lew

  • 15 brushes for recreating the fluffy double coat of a Siberian Husky
  • Separates brushes for the soft undercoat and coarse guard hairs
  • Changeable fur color and length
  • Download link: https://sadielew.gumroad.com/l/huskyfur

5. Stylized & Textured Fur Brushes

Fur Painter by Type1dera

  • 20 painterly fur brushes for an impressionistic look
  • Builds up color and value gradually for a naturalistic effect
  • Bristly brush strokes add texture and volume
  • Download link: https://type1dera.gumroad.com/l/furpainter

Spiky Fur Fun Pack by Daisy Daze

  • 15 quirky spiky fur brushes to add flair
  • Options include straight, wavy, curly, and zigzag spikes
  • Great for funky monsters and punk rock characters
  • Download link: https://daisydaze.gumroad.com/l/spikyfur

Galaxy Fur by JustPaints

Free vs Paid Fur Brushes: Is It Worth Spending Money?

With so many amazing free fur brush packs available, you may be wondering if it‘s worth purchasing premium brushes. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your needs and budget.

Many brush makers offer a free sample pack to give you a taste of their style and quality. These free brushes are often excellent in their own right and can be all you need for your projects. However, paid brush packs tend to have a larger quantity of brushes, more varied textures, and extra features like color dynamics or dual brush tips.

If you find yourself using a particular artist‘s free brushes constantly, it might be worth investing in their full pack to expand your options. Some paid brushes also come with commercial licensing, allowing you to use them in commissioned work or merchandise.

That being said, you can absolutely achieve professional-quality results with free brushes alone. It may just take a bit more mixing and matching to find the perfect combination.

Tips & Tricks for Using Fur Brushes in Procreate

Using fur brushes is easy, but there are some tricks to getting the most natural, lifelike results:

  1. Build up the fur gradually in layers. Start with a base layer of color, then add shadows, highlights, and individual hair strands on top. This will give your fur depth and dimension.

  2. Use the smudge tool to blend and soften the fur. The smudge tool is your best friend for creating smooth transitions and making the fur look more organic. Use a textured brush like a blender or stucco brush for best results.

  3. Experiment with brush settings. Don‘t be afraid to adjust the brush size, opacity, flow, and other dynamics to fine-tune the look of the fur. A slight tweak can make a big difference.

  4. Take advantage of alpha lock. When you have an area of fur you‘re happy with, use the alpha lock function to protect the transparency of that layer. This allows you to add more strokes or highlights without disturbing the underlying fur.

  5. Study real animal references. To make your fur look realistic, it helps to observe how real animal fur behaves. Notice the direction the fur grows, how it layers, and how light affects its appearance. Incorporate these details into your digital painting.

What the Pros Say About Fur Brushes

Don‘t just take my word for it! Here‘s what some professional Procreate artists have to say about using fur brushes:

"I used to dread drawing animal fur because it was so time-consuming. But ever since I discovered fur brushes, it‘s become one of my favorite textures to paint. These brushes are a lifesaver!" – Katy Lipscomb, Illustrator

"Using fur brushes has allowed me to take on more complex animal portrait commissions. I can achieve such a high level of realism in a fraction of the time it would take me with the default brushes." – Tom Bancroft, Character Designer

"I love how fur brushes add an extra level of tactility to my digital paintings. It‘s satisfying to see the fur come to life with just a few strokes. Plus, my clients are always impressed by the detail!" – Lois van Baarle, Concept Artist

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I import fur brushes into Procreate?

To import brushes, first download the brush files to your iPad. They will likely be in .brush or .brushset format. Then, open the Procreate app and tap the brush icon in the top right corner. Tap the ‘+‘ sign and select ‘Import‘. Locate the downloaded brush files and tap ‘Open‘. The brushes will now appear in your brush library.

Can I use these brushes in other drawing apps?

Most Procreate brushes are saved in a proprietary .brush or .brushset format that only works in Procreate. However, some artists also provide their brushes in .abr format, which is compatible with Photoshop. Check the brush download page to see what formats are available.

How do I remove shedding from fur brushes?

Some fur brushes may leave stray hairs or ‘shedding‘ as you paint. To clean this up, try using the smudge tool with a textured brush like a stucco brush. This will help blend the stray hairs into the rest of the fur. You can also use the eraser tool with a soft, textured brush to gently erase any unwanted marks.

Can I use fur brushes to draw human hair?

While fur brushes are optimized for animal textures, you can definitely use them as a starting point for human hair. Look for brushes described as silky, smooth, wavy, or curly. You may need to adjust the brush size and settings to get the look you want. Combining fur brushes with hair-specific brushes can also yield interesting results.

Final Thoughts

I hope this in-depth guide has given you a better understanding of the world of fur brushes for Procreate. These powerful tools can elevate your animal and creature drawings to new heights of realism and expressiveness.

Remember, the key to mastering fur is practice and experimentation. Don‘t be afraid to mix and match brushes, adjust settings, and layer textures to achieve your desired look. With time and patience, you‘ll develop a keen eye for fur and a signature style.

I encourage you to download some of these free brush packs and start playing around. You may be surprised at how quickly your fur drawing skills improve! And if you create something you‘re proud of, share it on social media and tag the brush maker. They‘ll be thrilled to see their brushes in action.

To all my fellow digital artists out there, I wish you happy fur drawing! May your creatures be fluffy, your textures be lush, and your imaginations be limitless.

Read More Topics