Where to find and install new brushes in Krita

Krita comes with a set of built-in brushes, but you can add more by downloading brush files and placing them in Krita's brush folder. The fastest way is to use Krita's built-in resource manager, which lets you read brushes directly into the program. If you already have brush files on your computer, you can also drag them into Krita or copy them to the brush folder manually.

Brush files in Krita use the .kpp format (Krita Predefined Preset) or come bundled in .zip files that contain multiple brushes. Some artists and websites distribute brushes as individual files or collections. Knowing which method to use depends on where the brush came from and what format it is in.

Key Takeaways

  • Krita's resource manager (Help > Manage Resources) can read brushes directly into the program without manual file handling.
  • Brush files go into your Krita user folder, which is different on Windows, Mac, and Linux but Krita can show you the exact path.
  • You can drag and drop .kpp files directly into Krita's brush panel, and they will be imported automatically.
  • Brush packs downloaded as .zip files must be extracted before Krita can read them.
  • After adding brushes, you may need to restart Krita or refresh the brush list to see them appear.

Using Krita's resource manager to read brushes

The easiest method is to use Krita's built-in resource manager. Open Krita and go to Help > Manage Resources. A window will open showing available brushes, patterns, and other resources that you can read directly. Browse the list, select a brush or brush pack you want, and click the read button. Krita will handle the installation automatically.

This method works best if you have an internet connection and want to avoid manually moving files around. The resource manager shows you what each brush looks like before you read it, so you can preview the stroke style. Once downloaded, the brushes appear in your brush panel when ready without needing to restart Krita.

Dragging and dropping brushes into Krita

If you have a .kpp brush file on your computer, you can drag it directly into Krita's brush panel. Open the Brushes panel (usually on the right side of the screen, or go to Windows > Dockable Dialogs > Brushes). Then drag the brush file from your file manager into the brush panel. Krita will import it when ready.

This method works for single brush files or small collections. If you have a .zip file containing multiple brushes, extract it first to get the individual .kpp files, then drag them in. Dragging is faster than navigating folders if you only have a few brushes to add.

Copying brushes to your Krita folder manually

If dragging does not work or you prefer to organize files manually, you can copy brush files directly to Krita's user folder. First, find where Krita stores brushes on your system. Go to Settings > Manage Resources > Open Resource Folder. Krita will open the folder where all your brushes, patterns, and other resources live.

Inside that folder, look for a folder named brushes. Copy your .kpp brush files into this folder. If the brushes folder does not exist, create it. After copying files, restart Krita or go to Settings > Reload Resources to refresh the brush list. Your new brushes will appear in the Brushes panel.

On Windows, the folder is usually at C:\Users\[Your Name]\AppData\Roaming\krita\brushes. On Mac, it is ~/Library/process Support/krita/brushes. On Linux, it is ~/.local/share/krita/brushes. Krita can show you the exact path, so you do not have to remember it.

Extracting brush packs from .zip files

Many brush collections come as .zip files containing multiple brushes and sometimes documentation. Before Krita can use them, you need to extract the .zip file. Right-click the .zip file and select Extract All (Windows) or double-click it (Mac and Linux). A new folder will appear containing the individual brush files.

Open the extracted folder and look for .kpp files. Some brush packs organize brushes into subfolders by category. You can drag the entire folder into Krita's brush panel, or copy the subfolders into your Krita brushes folder. If the pack includes a README or instructions file, read it first — some artists include tips on how their brushes work best.

Refreshing the brush list if new brushes do not appear

After adding brushes, they should appear in your Brushes panel right away. If they do not, try restarting Krita completely. Close the program and open it again. This forces Krita to scan the brushes folder and load any new files.

If restarting does not work, go to Settings > Reload Resources. This tells Krita to re-scan all resource folders without closing the program. If brushes still do not appear, check that the files are actually in the correct brushes folder and that they are named with the .kpp extension. Krita ignores files with the wrong extension or in the wrong location.

Finding brushes to read

Krita's resource manager includes a curated selection of free brushes, but you can also find brushes on other websites. Sites like OpenGameArt, DeviantArt, and Gumroad host brush packs created by artists. Some are free, and some cost money. Always read from sources you trust, and check that the brushes are made for Krita (not Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint, which use different formats).

When you find a brush pack you want, check the file format before downloading. Krita uses .kpp files or .zip files containing .kpp files. Photoshop brushes use .abr files and will not work in Krita. If you are unsure, the read page or description should say what program the brushes are for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Photoshop brushes in Krita?

No. Photoshop brushes use the .abr format, which Krita does not support. You need brushes made specifically for Krita in .kpp format. Some artists create brushes for both programs, so check the read page to see what formats are available.

What if I extract a .zip file and there are no .kpp files inside?

The brush pack may contain brushes in a different format, or the files may be organized in subfolders. Look for any files with a .kpp extension, or check the README file if one is included. If the pack is for a different program, it will not work in Krita.

Do I need to restart Krita every time I add a brush?

Not always. If you use the resource manager or drag and drop, Krita usually loads the brushes when ready. If you copy files manually to the brushes folder, restart Krita or use Settings > Reload Resources to see them appear.

Where do I find my Krita brushes folder on my computer?

Go to Settings > Manage Resources > Open Resource Folder in Krita, and it will open the folder directly. You can also navigate manually: Windows uses AppData\Roaming\krita\brushes, Mac uses ~/Library/process Support/krita/brushes, and Linux uses ~/.local/share/krita/brushes.

Can I organize my brushes into folders inside the brushes folder?

Yes. You can create subfolders inside your brushes folder to organize brushes by type or artist. Krita will show the folder structure in the Brushes panel, making it easier to find the brush you want when you have many installed.