Procreate Nina sketching pencils: is this $1 stack worth it for Drawing & Painting?
If you are stuck with the default Procreate pencil and it just doesn’t feel right, you know the frustration. You tap the screen, the line wobbles, and the texture looks digital in a way that kills the mood of your doodle. You want that scratchy, organic resistance of real graphite, but without the mess of shavings on your desk. That is exactly the gap Procreate Nina sketching pencils fills. For a single dollar, you get a brush set designed to mimic the specific weights and textures of traditional pencils, letting you sketch with a confidence that feels less like software and more like a studio habit.
Quick answer
| Best for | Procreate users who want a natural, traditional feel for their daily sketches and doodles without buying expensive custom brushes. |
| Skip if | You use a different app (like Photoshop or Clip Studio) or you are looking for a full art course rather than a tool pack. |
| Price | $1 |
| Format | 6-brush set (21 MB) for Procreate |
| One-line take | A low-risk, high-utility upgrade that makes your digital lines look hand-drawn. |
What you’re actually buying
At first glance, a $1 brush set might seem like a throwaway purchase, but this is a focused utility pack, not a generic bundle. You are getting six distinct brushes that cover the full range of a standard pencil box: Graphite, 7B, 2H, 8B, 9B, and a unique Nina sketch charcoal. This is the key detail—most cheap packs give you three generic “pencil” brushes that all look the same. Here, you get the hard, light scratch of a 2H for initial guidelines and the dark, soft bleed of a 9B for shading. (Procreate Nina sketching pencils)
The file size is just 21 MB, which means it loads instantly and won’t clutter your Procreate library. The real value is in the sensitivity settings. Nina has tuned the pressure and tilt sensitivity so that the brush reacts to how you hold your stylus. Tilt your Apple Pencil for broad, soft shading; keep it flat for sharp, precise lines. It’s a small file with a big impact on your workflow. (Procreate Nina sketching pencils)
One reviewer noted that “these are one of the best sketching pencils I’ve tried for Procreate, the flow feels very natural” Gumroad reviews. That “natural” feel is the whole point. When a brush fights your hand, you stop sketching. When it flows, you start creating.
Why it’s on our radar
This pack is interesting because it solves a specific, low-stakes problem: making digital sketching feel less sterile. Many artists spend hours hunting for the “perfect” pencil brush, often paying $10–$20 for sets that include 50 brushes they will never use. Nina’s set is the opposite: it’s a curated six-pack that covers the essentials. (Procreate Nina sketching pencils)
It’s also a smart entry point for beginners. If you are new to Procreate, you don’t need a complex workflow yet; you just need a tool that lets you doodle without thinking. The inclusion of a charcoal option adds a layer of texture that standard pencils often miss, giving you a way to add grit to your work without switching to a marker. (Procreate Nina sketching pencils)
Another buyer called it “A solid choice for beginners or experienced artists” Gumroad reviews. That range is rare. Usually, tools are either too simple for pros or too complex for newbies. This sits in the sweet spot where a pro can use the 2H for clean inking and a beginner can use the 9B to learn shading.
What actually matters
Before you grab the Procreate Nina sketching pencils, keep these three points in mind:
- Procreate Only: The listing is clear that this works only for Procreate. If you are on an iPad but use Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint, this file will not import. It is a Procreate-specific asset. (Procreate Nina sketching pencils)
- Brush Sensitivity: The magic here is the tilt and pressure sensitivity. Make sure your Procreate settings allow for tilt (which is default on most iPads with Apple Pencil). If you are using a third-party stylus that doesn’t support tilt, the “soft” shading modes might not work as intended. (Procreate Nina sketching pencils)
- File Size: At 21 MB, this is a lightweight download. It won’t eat up your storage, but it also means you aren’t getting a massive library of textures. You are getting six high-quality brushes, not a 50-brush mega-pack. (Procreate Nina sketching pencils)
Mid-check
If you’ve been using the default pencil and it’s holding your sketches back, this is the cheapest way to fix that. You can grab the full set of six brushes for just a dollar. (Procreate Nina sketching pencils)
FAQ
Does this work with other drawing apps? No. These brushes are formatted specifically for Procreate. If you use a different app, you will need to look for brushes designed for that platform. The Procreate Nina sketching pencils are not cross-compatible.
Is this a good set for beginners? Yes. The variety of hardnesses (from 2H to 9B) means you can experiment with different line weights and shading techniques without needing to learn complex brush settings. It’s a great way to get comfortable with digital sketching. (Procreate Nina sketching pencils)
How do I install the brushes? Once you purchase the pack, you will download the file. In Procreate, you can import the brush set through the gallery. It’s a quick process, and the Procreate Nina sketching pencils should appear in your brush library immediately after import.
Bottom line
For $1, you aren’t just buying brushes; you’re buying a better sketching experience. The Procreate Nina sketching pencils give you the tactile feel of traditional pencils without the cleanup. If you want your digital doodles to look hand-drawn and organic, this is a no-brainer.