Texturing and Effects

Textures

Textures are the way something looks or feels when you touch it. For example, if you look at a brick wall up close, you can see and feel the rough surface of the bricks. This is a texture.

In Krita, you can apply textures to your digital artwork to give it a more realistic or interesting look. There are many ways to apply textures in Krita, but one common way is to use the “brush texture” feature.

Here’s how you can apply textures in Krita:

  1. Choose a brush from the brush panel on the right side of the screen.
  2. Click on the “brush settings” icon in the top toolbar.
  3. In the brush settings panel, click on the “Texture” tab.
  4. Click on the “Load Texture” button and choose a texture file from your computer. Krita comes with a few built-in textures, but you can also download textures from the internet or create your own.
  5. Once you’ve loaded a texture, you can adjust the settings to control how it looks. For example, you can adjust the scale of the texture to make it bigger or smaller, or you can adjust the opacity to make it more or less visible.
  6. When you’re ready, use the brush to paint on your canvas. You should see the texture applied to your strokes.
  7. Textures can be used in many ways in digital art. For example, you can use a rough texture to create the appearance of a rocky surface, or a soft texture to create the appearance of fluffy clouds. By experimenting with different textures and settings in Krita, you can create unique and interesting artwork with a realistic look and feel.

Activity: Applying Textures

  1. Open a new canvas in Krita and draw a simple object, such as a fruit or animal.
  2. Create a new layer above the object layer, and select a texture brush from the brush menu. Choose a texture that you think would complement the object.
  3. Use the texture brush to paint over the object, adding texture and detail to the surface. Experiment with different brush sizes and opacities to create a variety of textures.
  4. Create another new layer above the texture layer, and use the brush tool to paint a solid color over the entire canvas.
  5. Use the layer blending options to change the blending mode of the texture layer to “Overlay” or “Soft Light.” This will blend the texture with the base color, creating a more natural and cohesive look.

Filter and Effects

Filters and effects are tools in Krita that allow you to add special effects to your digital painting. They can change the colors, lighting, and overall look of your artwork to create a specific mood or style.

There are many different types of filters and effects that you can use in Krita to enhance your digital painting. Here are some common types of filters and effects, and what they do:

  • Blur: This effect makes your painting look softer and more out of focus. It can be useful for creating a dreamy or romantic look.
  • Sharpen: This effect makes your painting look sharper and more detailed. It can be useful for emphasizing specific parts of your artwork.
  • Posterize: This effect simplifies the colors in your painting, reducing the number of shades and creating a more graphic, stylized look.
  • Color Balance: This filter allows you to adjust the overall colors in your painting, making it warmer or cooler, or adjusting the brightness and contrast.
  • Gradient Map: This filter allows you to map different colors to different brightness levels in your painting. This can create a dramatic and moody effect.
  • Noise: This effect adds random pixels to your painting, creating a gritty, textured look. It can be useful for creating a vintage or aged appearance.
  • Lens Flare: This effect adds a bright, glowing light to your painting, simulating the look of a camera lens flare. It can be useful for creating a dramatic or sci-fi effect.

Here’s how you can use filters and effects in Krita:

  1. Open your digital painting in Krita.
  2. Click on the “Filters” menu at the top of the screen.
  3. Choose a filter or effect from the menu. For example, you can choose the “Blur” filter to create a soft and dreamy effect, or the “Posterize” filter to create a bold and graphic look.
  4. Adjust the settings of the filter or effect to your liking. For example, you can adjust the amount of blur in the “Blur” filter, or the number of posterization levels in the “Posterize” filter.
  5. When you’re happy with the result, click “OK” to apply the filter or effect to your painting.

Filters and effects can be a great way to add interest and visual impact to your digital painting. They can also be a fun way to experiment with different styles and looks. Just remember to use them in moderation, as too many filters or effects can make your painting look overdone or artificial.

Activity:

Putting It All Together

Vocabulary Review