How to Swap Faces on iPad – Procreate Tutorial

Face swapping isn't just for Photoshop! In this hands-on tutorial, I'll show you how to swap faces in Procreate using only the built-in tools—no special brushes or paid add-ons required. We'll use Game of Thrones characters as our example, but you can use these techniques for any portrait art.

Watch the Full Video Tutorial

Why Face Swap in Procreate?

Procreate is a powerful app for digital artists, and with a few clever tricks, you can pull off impressive photo manipulations like face swaps. This is perfect for fan art, creative mashups, or just learning how to use Procreate's selection, masking, and blending tools like a pro.

What You'll Need

• Procreate on iPad (any recent version)
• Two portrait images with similar lighting and angles
• Apple Pencil (optional, but helpful)

Step-by-Step: Face Swapping in Procreate

1. Prepare Your Images

• Import both portraits as separate layers in Procreate.
• Choose images with similar lighting and head angles for best results.

2. Block Out the Faces

• Create a new layer above each portrait.
• Use the color picker to select the subject's skin tone.
• With a soft brush, paint over the face to block out features. This helps blend the swapped face later.

3. Cut and Paste the Faces

• Use the selection tool (freehand) to carefully select the face area you want to swap.
• Copy and paste the selection onto a new layer.
• Repeat for the second portrait.

4. Align and Transform

• Use the transform tool to move, resize, and rotate the pasted face so it matches the new head's position.
• Lower the opacity to help align eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Use warp/distort if needed for a natural fit.

5. Mask and Blend

• Add a mask to the face layer.
• Use a soft brush on the mask to gently erase hard edges and blend the face into the new head.
• Repeat for the other face.

6. Color Match with Clipping Masks

• Create a new layer above the swapped face and set it as a clipping mask.
• Use the color picker to sample skin tones from the new head.
• Paint over the face to match colors, then set the layer's blend mode to Color.
• Mask out the eyes and lips so they keep their natural color.

7. Final Adjustments

• Use Curves or Brightness/Contrast to fine-tune the color and brightness.
• Merge layers if needed and use the smudge tool for final blending.
• Add shadows or highlights for realism.

Pro Tips

• Feather your selections for smoother edges.
• Use masks instead of erasing—this is non-destructive and easy to adjust.
• Work on high-res images for best results.
• Experiment! Try swapping just features (eyes, mouth) for fun effects.

Conclusion

Face swapping in Procreate is a fantastic way to learn about layers, masks, and blending. Whether you're making fan art or just having fun, these techniques will help you get creative with your portraits.

Want to see the full process in action? Watch the YouTube tutorial above for a detailed walkthrough, and don't forget to subscribe for more Procreate tips!

Have questions or want to share your results? Leave a comment on the video or tag @thorgeirskula on Instagram!