Introduction
Selections are one of the most powerful tools in Krita. They allow artists to isolate parts of an image, apply effects, and paint with precision. But many beginners only use the basic lasso or rectangle tools. If you want to create professional-quality digital art, you need to master feathering and other advanced selection tricks in Krita.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to feather selections in Krita, why feathering matters, and which advanced selection techniques can save you hours of work.
Table of Contents
What is Feathering in Krita?
Feathering means softening the edges of a selection so they gradually blend into the surrounding pixels. Instead of a hard cut, feathered selections create smooth transitions, perfect for shading, lighting effects, and realistic textures.
In simple words: Hard edges = digital / cut-out look
Feathered edges = smooth / natural look
How to Feather Selections in Krita (Step by Step)
Step 1: Make a Selection
- Use the Rectangular, Elliptical, or Freehand Selection Tool.
Step 2: Go to Selection Menu
- Navigate to the Select > Feather Selection option in the top menu.
Step 3: Choose Feather Radius
- Enter the number of pixels you want to feather.
- Higher numbers = softer edges.
Step 4: Apply and Paint
- Once applied, the edges of your selection will fade smoothly.
- You can now paint, fill, or apply filters without harsh borders.
Advanced Selection Tricks in Krita
1. Global Selection Mask + Feathering
Combine Global Selection Mask (explained in our last blog) with feathering for maximum control. You can paint soft transitions directly into the selection.
2. Selection by Color (Contiguous vs Similar)
Instead of manually selecting, use Select by Color to automatically select all pixels of a certain shade. Perfect for recoloring flat areas.
3. Invert Selection
After selecting an object, use Select > Invert to affect everything except your current selection. A simple but powerful trick.
4. Grow & Shrink Selections
Under the Select menu, you’ll find Grow Selection and Shrink Selection. These help refine selections when you need more or less coverage.
5. Save & Load Selections
Selections can be saved as Selection Masks in Krita. This is useful when working on multi-session projects where you need to reuse the same area.
6. Combine Multiple Selections
Use Shift (add to selection) and Ctrl (subtract from selection) while selecting to create complex, custom shapes.
Why Feathering & Advanced Selections Matter for Digital Painting
- Smooth blending for skin tones and shading.
- Realistic highlights and soft shadows.
- Clean isolation of subjects without sharp cut-outs.
- Professional-looking edges in concept art and illustrations.
- Time-saving workflows for comic artists and animators.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Feathering too much → makes the selection look blurry.
- Forgetting to preview → always test with small values first.
- Using feather on very small objects → may erase details.
FAQs
Q1: What is the difference between feathering and blurring in Krita?
Feathering softens only the edges of a selection, while blurring affects the actual image or pixels.
Q2: Can I feather an existing selection in Krita?
Yes, go to Select > Feather after making a selection.
Q3: Is feathering available in all versions of Krita?
Yes, but Krita 5.x has better selection refinement tools.
Conclusion
Feathering and advanced selection tricks in Krita are essential for producing polished, professional digital art. By mastering feather selection, global selection mask, color-based selections, and saving/loading selections, you’ll gain much more control over your creative process.
Whether you’re a beginner looking for Krita tutorials or an advanced artist searching for productivity hacks, these techniques will transform your workflow. Learn how to use global selection mask in krita.
Also check who we are.
Do follow us on our Social Media:
Facebook: Visit Here
Instagram: Visit Here
LinkedIn: Visit Here
YouTube: Visit Here
