Starting out in Krita desktop

Take a tour of Krita, create a new file and learn how to use preset tools as explains the basics of the free program

rita Desktop is a free, opensource, fully featured painting program available to all, which you can download at www.krita.org.

On the website you’ll also find information on how to participate in developing the program and learn how to donate money to support those who do it full time.

KCreating a new file

You can choose a predefined template or create your own (and save it for the future). To do this you’ll need to assign width and height dimensions to your future canvas (in pixels, centimetres, millimetres and so on) and also choose its resolution in PPI. As well as that, you have the option to choose Color Model (for example, RGB or CMYK), Color Profile, Canvas Color and Opacity.

Default workspace

Krita’s default workspace consists of two toolbars along the top, (Main and File/Brush settings), the Canvas in the middle, Dockers on both sides and the Status Bar at the bottom. Everything except for the main toolbar can be either hidden or visible. Personally, I find it more useful to keep the File/Brushes toolbar, Tools, Layers Brush Presets and Advance Color Selector always visible as I do my work.

In my opinion, Krita is a very useful painting tool, comparable with commercial programs available on the market. It may seem a little confusing and overwhelming at first glance because it boasts a wide variety of control tools, brush presets and colour adjustments. But after some time, once you become used to the interface, it becomes very clear and easy to work with.