Krita is a powerful, open-source digital painting application widely used by illustrators, concept artists, and animators. As you customize your workflow and experiment with new presets, your brush library can quickly become cluttered. Removing unused or outdated custom brushes is an essential part of maintaining an efficient workspace. In this guide, you’ll learn how to delete custom brushes in Krita easily, safely, and without disrupting your core brush presets.
TL;DR: To delete custom brushes in Krita, you can remove them directly from the Brush Preset docker or manually delete the associated files through Krita’s Resource Folder. Always confirm whether the brush is part of a bundle before deleting it to avoid removing important presets. For better organization, consider disabling or tagging brushes instead of permanently deleting them. Following the right steps ensures a clean workspace without data loss.
Why Deleting Custom Brushes Matters
Over time, custom brushes accumulate. Test downloads, imported bundles, or experimental presets can crowd your Brush Preset docker, making it harder to find the tools you actually use. A cluttered brush library can:
- Slow down your workflow
- Create confusion during projects
- Increase the chance of selecting the wrong preset
- Make Krita feel less responsive
Maintaining an organized setup allows you to focus on your artwork instead of searching through dozens—or hundreds—of unnecessary brushes.
Understanding How Krita Stores Brushes
Before deleting anything, it’s important to understand how Krita handles brushes behind the scenes. Brush presets in Krita are typically stored as .kpp files and are often packaged within resource bundles. These bundles may include:
- Brush tips
- Textures
- Patterns
- Tag configurations
If you delete a preset that is tied to a bundle, Krita may restore it the next time the bundle is activated. That’s why knowing the difference between deleting a preset and disabling a bundle is critical.
Method 1: Deleting Custom Brushes from the Brush Preset Docker
This is the easiest and most direct way to remove a brush preset.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Open Krita.
- Go to Settings > Dockers > Brush Presets (if it’s not already visible).
- Locate the custom brush you want to delete.
- Right-click on the brush preset.
- Select Delete from the dropdown menu.
- Confirm the deletion when prompted.
Once deleted, the preset will immediately disappear from your active brush list.
What to Watch Out For
If the delete option is greyed out, the brush likely belongs to a protected or system bundle. In that case, you’ll need to manage the bundle itself rather than just the preset.
Method 2: Deleting Brushes Through the Resource Manager
For more precise control, you can use Krita’s built-in Resource Manager.
Accessing the Resource Manager
- Click Settings.
- Select Manage Resources.
- Navigate to the Brush Presets section.
Here, you’ll see a structured list of installed presets and bundles.
Deleting or Disabling Brushes
You have two primary options:
- Delete: Permanently removes the preset from your system.
- Disable: Keeps the preset installed but hides it from active use.
If the brush is part of a bundle, you may need to disable or uninstall the entire bundle. This approach is safer than manually deleting files and reduces the risk of resource conflicts.
Method 3: Manually Deleting Brush Files from the Resource Folder
Advanced users who want full control can remove brushes directly from Krita’s resource directory.
Step 1: Locate the Resource Folder
- Open Settings > Manage Resources.
- Click Open Resource Folder.
This opens the directory where Krita stores all custom assets.
Step 2: Navigate to the Brush Presets Folder
Look for folders such as:
- paintoppresets (contains .kpp files)
- brushes (contains brush tip files)
Step 3: Delete the Relevant Files
Carefully identify the .kpp file that corresponds to your unwanted brush preset and delete it.
Important: Always close Krita before deleting files manually. After restarting the application, the brush preset should no longer appear.
Safely Removing Imported Brush Bundles
If you previously imported a third-party brush pack, it likely came as a .bundle file. Removing individual presets from within a bundle may not work permanently because Krita reloads bundled resources automatically.
To Remove an Entire Bundle:
- Go to Settings > Manage Resources.
- Select the Bundles tab.
- Choose the bundle you want to remove.
- Click Uninstall or Deactivate.
This ensures all associated presets, tips, and textures are removed together, preventing inconsistencies.
When You Should Not Delete a Brush
There are cases where deleting a preset is not advisable:
- Default System Brushes: Some presets are core to Krita’s functionality.
- Shared Studio Environments: If you work in a team, others might rely on certain presets.
- Ongoing Projects: Removing brushes used in active files can complicate revisions.
In these situations, consider tagging or filtering brushes instead of deleting them.
Using Tags to Organize Rather Than Delete
Krita includes a powerful tagging system. Instead of permanently removing brushes, you can:
- Create custom tag groups
- Assign frequently used brushes to favorites
- Remove unwanted tags from presets
This approach keeps your workspace clean while preserving your resources.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Brush Reappears After Deletion
This usually means the preset belongs to an active bundle. Disable or uninstall the bundle to resolve the issue.
Delete Option Is Greyed Out
The brush is likely protected. Use the Resource Manager instead of the Brush Preset docker.
Krita Crashes After Manual Deletion
This can happen if dependent resources (like brush tips or textures) are missing. Restore from backup and remove presets using the Resource Manager instead.
Best Practices for Managing Custom Brushes
To prevent clutter from building up again:
- Import selectively: Avoid installing large bundles unless necessary.
- Review monthly: Delete or disable unused presets.
- Backup regularly: Save your resource folder before making major changes.
- Create a minimal workspace: Keep only essential brushes visible.
A disciplined approach ensures your brush library remains organized and efficient over time.
Conclusion
Deleting custom brushes in Krita is straightforward once you understand how the software manages resources. Whether you choose to remove presets directly from the Brush Preset docker, manage them through the Resource Manager, or manually delete files from the resource folder, the key is to proceed carefully. Always determine whether a preset is part of a bundle before removing it permanently.
Maintaining a clean and organized brush library enhances both productivity and clarity. By using the methods outlined above, you can confidently manage your custom brushes in Krita without risking important resources or disrupting your workflow. A streamlined workspace ultimately allows you to focus on what truly matters—creating exceptional digital art.
