Ctrl+Paint
Ctrl+Paint is a web-based learning resource focused on digital painting basics, taught through short videos.
What Ctrl+Paint is
Ctrl+Paint is a web-based learning resource focused on digital painting basics, taught through short videos. Its free library contains hundreds of videos described as five minutes long, organized from introductory to more advanced topics. Lessons cover drawing, composition, reference, Photoshop tools, painting techniques, color, masking, vector tools, and art history. The library page says a new free video is released every Tuesday and Thursday. For guided practice, the Concept Art Playbook offers game-industry-style visual problem-solving challenges learners can complete at their own pace. The free library has no ads or subscription fees. Individual premium series cost $10, paid once and cover beginner-to-intermediate topics. The Digital Painting Starter Kit costs $55, paid once and includes six video series, 362 minutes of content, worksheets, line art, and PSD files. Premium purchases come with an automated email containing download instructions and a link. A stylus is needed because pressure sensitivity is essential to the techniques taught; Wacom tablets are recommended. The creator says the site does not provide personal tutoring or portfolio reviews.
Good
- Free library has hundreds of short videos.
- Lessons progress from basic to more advanced topics.
- New free videos are listed for Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Concept Art Playbook offers self-paced practice challenges.
- Free library has no ads or subscription fees.
Watch out
- A stylus is needed for the taught techniques.
- Personal tutoring is not offered.
- Portfolio reviews are not offered.
- No mobile platforms are listed.
Who it suits
Ctrl+Paint suits people learning digital painting through short videos and self-paced practice. Learners need a stylus for the techniques taught.
Verdict
Ctrl+Paint offers a broad free video library and self-paced visual problem-solving challenges for digital painting learners. A stylus is required for the techniques, and learners seeking personal tutoring or portfolio reviews will not find those services here.
Plans and prices
From Ctrl+Paint's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free video library | Free | Hundreds of streaming videos · no ads or subscription fees |
| Premium series | $10, paid once | Individual in-depth video collections · beginner to intermediate topics · One-time purchase |
| Digital Painting Starter Kit | $55, paid once | 6 premium series · 362 minutes · worksheets, line art, and PSD files · One-time purchase |
The facts
Each one read from Ctrl+Paint's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Advertising
- The About page says Ctrl+Paint is free and has no ads, and that the store helps support the site.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Comments login
- The FAQ says logging in is only for commenting and does not provide special access to content.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Concept art practice
- The Concept Art Playbook offers hands-on, game-industry-style visual problem-solving challenges that learners can follow at their own pace.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Equipment requirement
- The FAQ says a stylus is needed because pressure sensitivity is essential to the techniques taught, and recommends Wacom tablets.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Learning progression
- The videos are organized into a progression from basic to more advanced topics.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Library
- The free video library contains hundreds of short videos on digital painting basics.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Materials
- The Digital Painting Starter Kit includes six video series and associated worksheets, line art, and PSD files.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Premium downloads
- After a premium-series purchase is paid, the buyer receives an automated email with download instructions and a link.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Purpose
- Ctrl+Paint is a free learning resource dedicated to the basics of digital painting, taught through bite-sized videos.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Release schedule
- The library page says a new free video is released every Tuesday and Thursday.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Support
- The creator says he reads support emails personally and asks users to check the FAQ and keep messages concise.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Support limits
- The FAQ says Ctrl+Paint does not offer personal tutoring or portfolio reviews, citing its one-person operation and goal of teaching many beginners.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Topics
- The library includes lessons on drawing, composition, reference, Photoshop tools, painting techniques, color, masking, and vector tools.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Video length
- The site describes its videos as five minutes long.checked 7 Oct 2001
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