Revise with a reversible mask
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
Attach a transparency mask to the intended paint layer and select the mask before painting. In Krita’s official semantics, black hides, white reveals and gray partially hides. The paint-layer thumbnail and mask thumbnail represent different targets. A screenshot alone cannot prove the source pixels remain; test by restoring the masked region.
A transparency mask changes visibility without deleting the original pixels.
Revise with a reversible mask — worked practice
A transparency mask changes visibility without deleting the original pixels.
Original revision: the cup extends into the box space. Add a transparency mask to Cup. Paint black on the mask along the unwanted overlap; box becomes visible while cup pixels remain underneath. Paint white on a small masked portion to restore it, then return the intended edit. Painting black directly on Cup would add black paint rather than implementing this reversible hide operation.
1. 5.1 Revise
Select Cup in the layer controls and add a Transparency Mask using the documented mask option. Confirm the mask is attached to Cup, not the Background.
You should see: The mask belongs to the intended object.
2. 5.2 Revise
Select the mask thumbnail and hide a small unwanted Cup region with black. Observe the other layer revealed without editing its pixels.
You should see: Black changes mask visibility.
3. 5.3 Revise
Use white on the same mask area to restore the region. Save before/after evidence showing that the source pixels return.
You should see: White restores preserved source pixels.
4. 5.4 Revise
Reapply the intended overlap correction and name the mask. Save the native file; if a mask operation is unavailable, label this check unperformed rather than claiming a flattened export proves it.
You should see: The native document retains a named reversible edit.
What to finish
A working transparency mask with hide/restore evidence.
Watch for this
Painting on the paint layer while believing the mask is selected.
How can I tell I understand it?
You can restore a masked region and distinguish visibility from deletion.
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 actual mask creation and black-hide/white-reveal semantics; unavailable native editor check remains separate from local asset tests.
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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