Help Cant Draw With Brush On Krita

2 min read 02-01-2025

So, you're facing the frustrating issue of not being able to draw with your brush in Krita? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many Krita users encounter this problem, often stemming from simple oversights or unexpected settings. This guide will walk you through the most common causes and their solutions.

Common Reasons Why Your Krita Brush Isn't Working

Let's tackle the most likely culprits:

1. Incorrect Brush Selection or Settings:

Check your brush selection: Ensure you've actually selected a brush! Sometimes, the brush selection might appear empty or accidentally deselected. Look in your brush docker (usually on the left-hand side).
Brush opacity and size: A brush with zero opacity or an incredibly tiny size will be practically invisible. Check your brush settings to ensure both are appropriately adjusted.
Brush modes: Experiment with different brush blending modes. The wrong mode might be preventing the brush strokes from appearing correctly.

2. Tablet/Stylus Issues (If Applicable):

Driver issues: Outdated or corrupted drivers for your graphics tablet can cause significant problems, including drawing failures. Make sure you've installed the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website.
Tablet pressure sensitivity: If using a pressure-sensitive tablet, ensure pressure sensitivity is enabled in both Krita's settings and your tablet's driver settings. A faulty connection or malfunctioning stylus can also affect this.
Stylus battery: A low battery in your stylus might disrupt its functionality. Check the battery level and replace if needed.

3. Layer Issues:

Incorrect Layer Mode: You might be drawing on a layer that's set to a mode that prevents drawing, like "Lock Alpha." Double check your active layer's settings.
Layer Visibility: A simple, yet easily overlooked issue—is the layer you're drawing on actually visible? Ensure the layer's visibility is enabled (the "eye" icon).
Layer opacity: Similar to brush opacity, a layer with zero opacity will be invisible. Make sure its opacity is set to a visible level.

4. Krita Preferences and Settings:

Canvas size: A canvas size of 0x0 pixels won't allow you to draw. Check the canvas dimensions are properly set.
Krita restart: A simple restart of the program can often resolve unexpected software glitches.
Krita updates: Ensure you're using the latest version of Krita. Updates often include bug fixes.

Troubleshooting Steps:

Restart Krita: The simplest solution, often the most effective.
Check all settings: Go through the above points carefully, paying attention to brush settings, layer settings, and your tablet driver.
Create a new document: A corrupt document might be the cause. Start a new document and see if you can draw there.
Update Krita and drivers: Ensure everything is up to date.
Reinstall Krita (as a last resort): If all else fails, uninstalling and reinstalling Krita may be necessary.

If you've followed these steps and still can't draw, providing more information about your setup (operating system, graphics tablet model, Krita version) will help in further diagnosing the problem. Remember to consult the Krita documentation and online forums for additional support.