If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d create an entire class dedicated to illustrating a pickle, I probably would’ve laughed. Out of all the things I could teach—florals, lettering, landscapes, portraits—a pickle wasn’t exactly at the top of my list.
And yet, here we are: My newest Skillshare class is all about designing a playful pickle character in Procreate, complete with expressive lettering, and, naturally, a healthy serving of terrible puns! Sometimes creativity doesn’t need a grand idea—it just needs permission to be a little ridiculous.
Why Pickles Make Great Illustration Subjects
Pickles turn out to be the perfect reminder of why I love illustrating in the first place.
They are also having a bit of a moment right now; from fashion and home décor to food packaging and social media, pickles seems to be popping up everywhere. Their quirky shape and playful personality make them surprisingly fun design subjects, and I couldn’t resist joining in.
I also love drawing vintage-inspired food jars and playful lettering, so a pickle felt like the perfect excuse to combine everything I enjoy into one project. Add a few retro colors, some hand-drawn textures, and a pun like “You’re Dillightful,” and suddenly a pickle has become the star of the show.
Why Silly Ideas Are Worth Taking Seriously
As artists, it’s easy to feel like every piece has to be impressive, portfolio-worthy, or useful. But some of the most enjoyable, and surprisingly creative, projects start with an idea that makes you laugh.
Choosing a deliberately silly subject takes away a lot of the pressure. Humor also helps illustrations stick in people’s minds. A clever visual pun or an unexpected character gives viewers something to remember, which is one of the reasons I keep coming back to this style of playful illustration.
Related article: Perfect Puns: 6 Tips for Short & Sweet Lettering with Wordplay
Making Art for Fun Again
Like many artists, I’ve had periods where drawing starts to feel more like a task than something I genuinely look forward to. Working on this class reminded me how valuable it is to make room for projects that don’t carry so much pressure.
Drawing a cheerful pickle isn’t going to solve creative burnout overnight, but it does encourage something that’s easy to forget: curiosity. When the stakes are low, you’re more willing to play, experiment, and follow ideas just because they’re entertaining.
One thing that also helps me break out of a creative rut is starting with a simple prompt or a visual pun. Instead of staring at a blank canvas, I have something fun to react to. That’s actually why I created my Pun Toolkit Brushes for Procreate—they’re designed to spark ideas and help you build playful illustrations when inspiration feels a little out of reach. If you’re looking for an easy way to kickstart your next project, you can check them out here:
Tools I Use for Playful Illustrations
This playful toolkit includes everything you need to bring clever, colorful, and charming ideas to life in Procreate. It includes my favorite lettering brushes, a brush guide and video tutorial!
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Inside My Playful Pickle Illustration Class
That feeling of playful experimentation became the foundation for my newest Skillshare class, You’re Dillightful: Playful Pickle Illustration in Procreate.
Whether you’re fairly new to Procreate or already have some experience, this project is designed to be approachable, relaxing, and fun. By the end, you’ll have your own unique pickle character that you can turn into a greeting card, sticker, social media post, or simply add to your growing illustration portfolio.
Whether you’re feeling creatively stuck or just want an excuse to draw something completely ridiculous, I hope this little pickle inspires you to make something that makes you smile!
Join us on Skillshare – Procreate Brushes Included!
You’re Dillightful: Playful Pickle Illustration in Procreate 🥒
In this class, we’ll create a playful pickle jar illustration in Procreate with lettering, textures, and a fun pun! This is a relaxed, creative project; no pressure or perfection needed.
FAQ
Why are playful illustration projects good for creativity?
Playful projects lower the pressure to create something “perfect.” Instead of focusing on the outcome, you can experiment, try new techniques, and enjoy the process. Often, that’s when your most creative ideas appear.
Is this Skillshare class beginner-friendly?
Yes! If you’re comfortable with the basics of Procreate, you’ll be able to follow along. I’ll guide you through sketching, coloring, adding texture, and incorporating lettering to create your own playful pickle illustration.
Do I need special brushes?
No! The class also includes a selection of sample Pun Toolkit Brushes to help you add playful lettering and decorative elements to your project. If you enjoy using them, you can always pick up the full Pun Toolkit Brush set later.
Do I need a Skillshare membership?
You don’t need an existing Skillshare membership to take the class. If you’re new to Skillshare, you can use my free trial link to access the class and explore thousands of other creative classes on the platform.
What can I do with my finished illustration?
Your finished artwork could become a greeting card, sticker, art print, social media post, or simply a fun addition to your illustration portfolio. I’d also love to see what you create! Be sure to upload your project to the Skillshare Project Gallery or share it on Instagram and tag me so I can celebrate your work! @claire.makesthings