I am often asked how I do my design work. This is a vague question at best but I understand what they are often asking. It is not HOW I do it, but what I use to achieve the results.
Hardware
I almost exclusively draw and illustrate on my iPad pro. Cliché perhaps, but I find the fluidity and use of the Apple Pencil to be superior for my style than most drawing pad styluses.
Software
This one is easy and tricky. Though I have a few add on programs I may use for editing the file size and general shape of the final outcome of the image, I draw everything in Procreate. I will do 3D block outs on a laptop with various programs like Maya, etc. But the final drawing program is done on Procreate on my iPad.
Brushes and Extras
When I started I did use a lot of free brushes and those included and continue to do so regularly. No shame in that at all. I do find I am constructing my own brushes more and more to achieve specific results. When in doubt, Envato Elements also has a wide variety of useful items to plug and play with, including brushes, colors and fonts. I tend to load them in and tweak or adjust them to my needs, but they often are a good starting point.