Introduction
If you are a digital artist using Krita, chances are you already know about its powerful brush engines, freehand tools, and animation support. But what if I told you that some of Krita’s most useful features are hidden in plain sight?
In this blog, we’ll explore 10 hidden Krita features that can boost your productivity, enhance your art workflow, and unlock new creative possibilities. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced illustrator, these Krita tips and tricks will help you work smarter, not harder.
Table of Contents
1. Global Selection Mask
Most artists use the lasso or rectangular selection tools, but Krita has a Global Selection Mask feature that acts like a layer for selections. You can paint directly on this mask with a brush to refine your selections—giving you precise control without constantly switching tools.
Why it matters: Perfect for complex shapes, hair details, and quick adjustments.
2. Feather Selection for Softer Edges
By default, Krita selections have hard edges. But using the Feather Selection option, you can create soft transitions—ideal for blending, shading, or atmospheric effects.
Pro Tip: Combine feathering with the global selection mask for ultimate control.
3. Layer Filtering and Search
Large projects can easily become cluttered with dozens of layers. Krita lets you filter layers by name, color label, or type. Just type in the search bar above the layer panel, and you’ll instantly find what you need.
Use Case: Speeds up complex illustrations and comic projects.
4. Wrap-Around Mode
One of Krita’s most underrated features is Wrap-Around Mode (W key). This lets you paint seamlessly across canvas edges, making it ideal for tileable textures, patterns, and game assets.
Why it’s a hidden gem: Many artists spend hours making seamless textures manually—Krita does it instantly.
5. Quick Layer Export
Did you know you don’t need Photoshop for exporting individual layers? Krita has a layer export script that saves every layer as a separate PNG file. This is a game-changer for animators, game developers, and comic creators.
6. Instant Brush Taper Fix
Struggling with uneven brush strokes? Krita hides a “Use Sensors” toggle inside brush settings. Enabling it fixes tapering and pen pressure issues instantly.
7. Resource Manager for Brushes & Presets
Instead of manually installing brushes, use Krita’s Resource Manager to import/export brush packs, gradients, and palettes. You can even bundle your own custom set for backups or sharing.
8. Advanced Color Selector (Mixer Mode)
Krita’s Color Mixer lets you blend colors as if you were mixing paint on a real palette. This is far more natural than just picking from the color wheel, making it a favorite for painters who want realistic blending.
9. Vector & Raster Combo Layers
Most artists don’t realize Krita supports vector + raster hybrid workflows. You can draw clean line art in vector mode and immediately paint inside it with raster brushes—without switching software.
10. Non-Destructive Editing with Filter Layers
Instead of applying filters directly to an image, Krita allows Filter Layers. These are non-destructive, meaning you can adjust, remove, or stack effects anytime without harming your artwork.
Pro Tip: Try blur and color balance filters as adjustment layers for professional results.
Conclusion
Krita is more than just a free alternative to Photoshop. it’s a professional-grade digital painting software with hidden gems that even experienced artists overlook. By using features like Global Selection Mask, Wrap-Around Mode, Layer Export, and Filter Layers, you can dramatically improve your digital art workflow.
If you found these Krita tips and tricks helpful, make sure to explore more in our upcoming blogs where we’ll dive deeper into brush customization, animation workflows, and productivity hacks.
FAQs
Q1: Is Krita good for professional artists?
Yes, Krita is widely used by professionals for illustration, concept art, and even animation.
Q2: How do I make Krita faster for large projects?
Use layer filtering, disable unnecessary dockers, and consider using the layer export script for heavy projects.
Q3: Which is the most underrated Krita feature?
Many artists agree that Wrap-Around Mode and Filter Layers are among the most overlooked yet powerful tools.
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