1. In this tutorial, you’ll learn about Layers and how to import a base image to use as a reference or starting point for your drawing in Krita.

2. Locate the Layers panel on the right side of the screen.

The Layers panel lets you organize your artwork into separate parts, so you can edit elements independently without affecting the whole image.

3. You can select a layer by simply clicking on it in the Layers panel.

4. You can hide a layer by clicking the eye icon next to it in the Layers panel.

5. You can show or unhide a layer by clicking the empty eye icon next to it in the Layers panel.

6. You can change the opacity of an entire layer by first selecting the layer, then adjusting the opacity slider in the Layers panel.

7. In this example, I decreased the opacity to 56%, so my brush strokes now appear lighter and more transparent on the canvas.

8. You can add a new layer by clicking the “+” icon in the Layers panel.

9. You can remove a layer by selecting it and then clicking the trash icon in the Layers panel.

10. For this example, I’ll delete the layer I used to experiment with my brushes.

11. Let’s import an image—simply drag and drop the image file from your folder directly onto the canvas in Krita.

11b. Drop

12. Click Insert as New Layer.

13. After importing, a new layer will be created containing the image you dropped onto the canvas.

Click this layer to select it.

14. Go to the Tool Panel on the left and click to select the Transform Tool. Its icon looks like a small square with curly edges.

If you have trouble finding it, ask your teacher for help.

15. Your image will now display a bounding box with small squares (handles) at the corners and edges, allowing you to resize it.

16. With your mouse, click and drag one of the corner handles while holding down the Shift key. This will let you resize the image proportionally.

If you have trouble with this step, ask your teacher for help.

16b. Drop

17. Go to the Tool Panel on the left and click to select the Move Tool. Its icon looks like a cross or four-pointed arrow, and it allows you to move layers around the canvas.

If you have trouble finding it, ask your teacher for help.

18. With your mouse, click and drag the image to move it and position it at the center of the canvas.

If you have trouble with this step, ask your teacher for help.

18b. Drop

19. In the Layers panel, click and adjust the opacity slider to set the layer’s opacity to 50%. This will make the image appear more transparent.

20. In the Layers panel, add a new layer by clicking the “+” icon. This new layer will be placed above the current one, ready for drawing.

21. Use the Brush Tool to start drawing over your reference image.

This is useful because it allows you to trace or build your artwork with guidance, while keeping your original image untouched on a separate layer.

22. That’s it—you’re done! Now try using your own sketch as a reference image and start creating your drawing on a new layer.
Tutorial completed.
Congratulations on finishing this tutorial.

That’s it—you’re done! Now try using your own sketch as a reference image and start creating your drawing on a new layer.

Interactive tutorial