Natural Gouache Brush Set for Procreate: is this $24 stack worth it for Drawing & Painting?
If you’ve been trying to replicate that matte, opaque, slightly gritty feel of traditional gouache on an iPad, you know how frustrating Procreate’s default watercolor brushes can be. They often bleed too much or lack that solid, paint-like coverage that defines the medium. The Natural Gouache Brush Set for Procreate by Manero Brushes aims to close that gap, offering a dedicated toolkit designed specifically to emulate the physical experience of mixing and applying real gouache.
At $24, this isn’t just a folder of brush presets; it’s a complete environment. It includes the brushes, the paper, the texture overlays, and the instruction manual to tie it all together. If you are looking to move away from the “digital watercolor” look and into something more structured and traditional, this set is a focused entry point. Here is what actually lands in your downloads folder and why that specific combination matters.
Quick answer
| Best for | Digital artists wanting to simulate traditional gouache painting without the mess, or beginners who need a guided system to learn the medium. |
| Skip if | You prefer fluid watercolor effects, use software other than Procreate, or don’t want to follow a specific workflow. |
| Price | $24 |
| Format | 110 Procreate brushes, 6 PNG texture files, 42-page PDF guide, 5 video demos, and a pre-loaded canvas. |
| One-line take | A complete “gouache-in-a-box” kit that handles the technical setup so you can focus on the painting. |
If you want to see the full breakdown of the brush categories and texture sheets, you can view the Natural Gouache Brush Set details before deciding.
What you’re actually buying
The core of this pack is the 110 Procreate brushes, but they aren’t thrown into one generic bin. They are organized into 13 distinct categories ranging from Sketching and Washes to Opaque, Dry, and Splatters. This structure is crucial because gouache is a medium of contrast—moving from wet washes to dry, textured strokes—and having dedicated tools for each stage means you aren’t constantly digging through a messy library to find the right stroke.
Beyond the brushes, the set includes the “secret sauce” that makes digital gouache look real: 5 different consistency texture sheets (labeled tea, coffee, milk, cream, and butter) and a gouache-specific paper texture, all in PNG format. These aren’t just background images; they are designed to be layered over your brushstrokes to simulate how real paint sits on paper, absorbing into the tooth or sitting on top with a matte finish. The inclusion of a pre-loaded Procreate canvas means you can skip the tedious setup of importing and aligning these textures yourself, allowing you to start painting immediately.
Finally, the pack includes a 42-page PDF guidebook and 5 time-lapse video demos. The guide doesn’t just list the brushes; it explains the layer structure, how to use the paper and texture sheets, and walks through a step-by-step tutorial. This is where the value proposition becomes clear: you aren’t just buying tools, you’re buying a workflow. With free future updates included, the set is positioned as a long-term resource rather than a one-time download. For a deeper look at the brush organization and texture options, check out the current product page.
Why it’s on our radar
Most brush packs stop at the presets, leaving you to figure out how to make digital paint behave like physical pigment. The Natural Gouache Brush Set for Procreate stands out because it bundles the technical simulation tools—specifically the five consistency texture sheets and gouache-specific paper grain—directly with the brush library. For $24, you aren’t just buying strokes; you are buying a pre-configured canvas and a 42-page manual that teaches the layering logic required to make those strokes look traditional. It’s a complete workflow package for artists who want the matte, opaque aesthetic of gouache without the cleanup.
What actually matters
Before you buy, verify that your workflow aligns with a structured, tutorial-based approach.
- Procreate Compatibility: This set is built exclusively for Procreate. If you use Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or Krita, these brushes and texture layers will not function as intended.
- Texture Layering: The “realism” of this set depends on using the provided PNG texture sheets over your brushwork. If you prefer a clean, flat digital look without grain or paper tooth, you may find the mandatory texture overlays restrictive.
- Learning Curve: The 42-page guidebook and time-lapse demos are essential. The brushes are designed to work together in specific sequences (e.g., washes to opaque), so ignoring the tutorial will likely result in a less convincing final painting.
- Update Policy: The seller offers free future updates. Check the product page for the latest version notes to ensure you are getting the most recent brush optimizations.
Mid-check
If you are ready to test this workflow, you can View on Gumroad to download the set and check the current file list.
FAQ
Does this work for absolute beginners to gouache? Yes. The set is designed as a “gateway” into the medium. The included 42-page guidebook and time-lapse videos provide a step-by-step tutorial, so you don’t need prior experience with physical gouache to start using the digital simulation.
Are the texture sheets compatible with other apps? The texture sheets are PNG files, which can technically be opened in other apps, but the brush presets are specific to Procreate. The “pre-loaded canvas” feature is exclusive to Procreate, so the seamless workflow is only available there.
Do I need to buy the paper texture separately? No. The high-resolution paper texture specific to gouache is included in the $24 package, along with the five consistency levels (tea, coffee, milk, cream, butter).
Will I get future brushes for free? Yes. The listing states that any meaningful future updates to this set will be provided for free to existing purchasers.
Bottom line
If you are tired of fighting Procreate’s default watercolor brushes to get that solid, matte coverage, the Natural Gouache Brush Set for Procreate is a specialized tool that does the heavy lifting for you. At $24, you get a full environment—brushes, textures, canvas, and instruction—ready to go. It’s a smart investment for anyone committed to exploring the gouache aesthetic digitally.