Block large shapes on separate layers
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
Paint large silhouettes before small highlights or texture. Keep objects that may need separate movement or masking on different paint layers. Layer order changes which pixels cover others. A named plan makes that relation visible; “Layer 17” is less helpful than a role name. Preserve your source when exporting later.
Separate layers preserve choices that a flattened image loses.
Block large shapes on separate layers — worked practice
Separate layers preserve choices that a flattened image loses.
Original bottom-to-top stack: Background, Ground Shadow, Box, Cup, Ball, Highlights, Palette. Cup is a broad orange silhouette; ball is warm paper; box is brown. Ball lies in front only where its painted area overlaps another layer. If Background is moved above all objects and made opaque, it hides them. Hiding Palette after using it removes swatches from the final view without deleting their record.
1. 2.1 Block
Fill the Background paint layer with the chosen warm paper. Add named paint layers for Ground Shadow, Box, Cup and Ball using the layer controls.
You should see: The background is separate.
2. 2.2 Block
Block each large object silhouette on its own layer with a broad brush or selection fill. Keep the original drawing’s relative arrangement while avoiding detail.
You should see: Each object owns distinct paint pixels.
3. 2.3 Block
Toggle each layer’s visibility to verify ownership. Move one layer temporarily above/below another and inspect an overlap, then restore the intended order.
You should see: Visibility/order changes are checked on the actual image.
4. 2.4 Block
Save a block-in checkpoint. Record the bottom-to-top stack and hide Palette for a composition view without discarding it.
You should see: A recoverable block-in and named stack remain.
What to finish
A native layered block-in and bottom-to-top ownership diagram.
Watch for this
Painting all objects on the background and expecting independent editing later.
How can I tell I understand it?
You can hide or move one object without deleting another.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
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Pass the check. We’ll save the progress.
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.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-10-01
Read block-in/form/value workflow and layer guidance; no tutorial image copied or native application claimed tested.
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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