Krita is a professional-grade open-source digital painting application renowned for its powerful features and user-friendly interface. It is designed primarily for concept artists, illustrators, matte and texture artists, and the VFX industry. Krita offers a wide range of advanced features such as brush stabilizers, a pop-up palette, extensive brush engines, vector tools, and support for a variety of file formats. It also includes tools for animation, layers management, and color management, making it an excellent choice for digital artists looking for a comprehensive painting and illustration solution.
To install Krita on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04, you have several methods available: using the Ubuntu default APT repository, installing via Flatpak with Flathub, or using Snap. This guide will walk you through each installation method.
Method 1: Install Krita via Ubuntu Default Repository
Before installing Krita, ensure your Ubuntu system is up-to-date to avoid potential issues during the installation process and maintain the best security practices. To do this, open your terminal and enter the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeKrita is readily available in Ubuntu’s default repositories, making the installation process straightforward for users who need a stable version, even if it’s not the most recent release. To install Krita using APT, open your terminal and execute the following command:
sudo apt install krita krita-l10nThis command installs the latest version of Krita available in the Ubuntu repository, along with the localization package for various languages. For users who prefer a more up-to-date version of Krita, consider installing it from the Flathub repository using the Flatpak package manager, which we will cover in the next section.
Method 2: Install Krita via Flatpak and Flathub
For those seeking an alternative approach to installing Krita, consider using Flatpak, a flexible package management system with a sandboxed application environment. To install Krita via Flatpak, you must first add the Flathub repository containing the Krita package.
Note: If Flatpak isn’t installed on your system, please refer to How to Install Flatpak on Ubuntu with the Flatpak Team Official LaunchPAD PPA. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for obtaining the latest supported version using the Flatpak Team Official LaunchPAD PPA.
Enable Flathub for Krita Installation
First, start the installation of Krita with Flatpak by executing the following command to integrate the Flathub repository:
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoInstall Krita via Flatpak Command
Next, install Krita using the subsequent Flatpak command:
flatpak install flathub org.kde.kritaAfter completing these steps, Krita will be installed on your system using the Flatpak and Flathub package manager, providing a secure and sandboxed environment for your digital painting needs.
Method 3: Install Krita via Snap
Snap is a user-friendly way to manage and deploy software on Ubuntu. In this alternative installation method section, we’ll walk you through installing Krita on Ubuntu.
Check if Snap is on Your Ubuntu System
Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, developed Snap for easy software management. While most Ubuntu systems already have Snap, you can install it with this command if it’s missing:
sudo apt install snapd -yInstall the Core Snap
Installing the ‘core’ snap before adding other applications is a good practice. This ensures that all snaps work well together. You can add the core snap with:
sudo snap install coreInstall Krita via Snap Command
With everything set, it’s time to install Krita. Use this simple command:
sudo snap install kritaThis command tells your system to use Snap to install Krita, making digital artistry just a click away.
Launch Krita on Ubuntu CLI or GUI
Depending on your installation method and preference, there are several ways to launch Krita on your system. Here are the different ways to start Krita.
CLI Commands to Launch Krita UI
First, if you have opened your terminal, you can launch Krita immediately with the appropriate run command that matches your installation method:
kritaflatpak run org.kde.kritasnap run kritaGUI Path to Launch Krita UI
For desktop users, locate the Krita application icon by navigating to:
Activities > Show Applications > Krita
You can also add Krita to your favorites for easy access, ensuring a seamless workflow for your digital painting and design projects.
Additional Krita Commands
Update Krita
To update Krita, it is often best to run an update check using CLI to ensure packages are getting updated. Depending on the package manager you used to install Krita, use one of the below commands that will check for updates and prompt you to upgrade if an update is available for Krita or anything else installed via your package manager.
APT Update Command Method For Krita Installations
sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt upgradeFlatpak Update Command Method For Krita Installations
flatpak update org.kde.kritaSnap Update Command Method For Krita Installations
snap refreshRemove Krita
Depending on the original installation method, use one of the following commands to uninstall Krita if you no longer require the application.
APT Remove Command Method For Krita Installations
sudo apt remove krita krita-l10nFlatpak Remove Command Method For Krita Installations
flatpak uninstall org.kde.kritaSnap Remove Command Method For Krita Installations
sudo snap remove kritaConclusion
With Krita successfully installed on your Ubuntu system, you can leverage its powerful features for your digital painting and illustration projects. Whether you choose to install via the Ubuntu default APT repository, Flatpak with Flathub, or Snap, each method ensures you have access to Krita’s latest features and updates. Regularly check for updates to keep your software current and enjoy the robust capabilities that Krita offers to digital artists.