Define the canvas and limited palette
See this course’s project requirements
An original limited-palette still life in a free raster editor with named layers, controlled edges, a reversible mask, PNG export and native source.
Keep your working files in your own notebook or software. Save a private description, checklist, and work link in My Proof.
What to include
- Create a limited-palette still life with named object layers.
- Record canvas pixel dimensions and a stated light source.
- Demonstrate different hard/soft edge relationships.
- Hide and restore one region with a transparency mask.
- Deliver native source, reopened full-canvas PNG and an honest revision/test note.
Review and revise
Use these criteria to check your work and choose what to improve.
- Composition/value: large forms follow the named light and palette.
- Layer ownership: objects remain separately editable.
- Reversibility: mask hide/restore preserves source pixels.
- Delivery: actual export matches the intended canvas and source.
Want more background?
The idea in everyday life
Use a free local raster editor such as Krita. A raster image stores pixels; a native layered document retains edit structure, while a PNG shows a flattened result. Set a small practice canvas deliberately rather than treating a printed-DPI value as extra pixels. If no editor is available, the paper palette/layer plan is preparation only; mark actual painting/export checks unperformed.
Canvas size sets the pixel working area; palette choices set relationships.
Define the canvas and limited palette — worked practice
Canvas size sets the pixel working area; palette choices set relationships.
Original study: 900×600 pixels, three objects based on the supplied drawing reference, light from upper left. Palette: warm paper#F2E8D5, burnt orange#BC7442, deep brown#543B3B, cream#FEF5DE. Use brown as the dark anchor and cream as the highlight; verify actual relative appearance rather than assuming color names guarantee value. The canvas ratio is 3:2. A changed 600×400 canvas preserves that ratio with fewer pixels.
1. 1.1 Define
Create a new 900×600 pixel document using the editor’s document-size controls. Write the exact pixel size and color-space choice in your study notes.
You should see: Canvas dimensions are 900×600 pixels.
2. 1.2 Define
Paint four palette swatches on a named Palette layer, entering the supplied hexadecimal colors or documenting equivalent chosen colors.
You should see: Four selected swatches are recorded.
3. 1.3 Define
Compare swatches in grayscale using a preview or a temporary non-destructive grayscale view. Adjust a duplicate palette if light/shadow swatches are indistinguishable.
You should see: Dark/light relationships are actually compared.
4. 1.4 Define
Save a native editable study file before continuing. Change a copy to 600×400 and calculate the ratio to distinguish pixel count from aspect ratio.
You should see: Both canvas sizes have 3:2 ratio; the native file retains editability.
What to finish
A saved canvas, palette layer and pixel/aspect-ratio note.
Watch for this
Increasing DPI metadata while assuming unchanged pixel dimensions become more detailed.
How can I tell I understand it?
You can explain the difference between pixel dimensions, aspect ratio and editable source.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
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Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
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Sources and further reading
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Source & access notes · checked 2026-10-01
Read canvas, paint layer/compositing, color, selection and export boundaries in official 5.3 documentation; no native Krita session performed.
Access: Public page text or PDF was opened and read through the web reader on 2026-10-01; no signup required for reading.
Reuse: Linked for further study. All LifeStarter scenarios, samples, assets and assessments are original; no source exercises or artwork are copied.
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