MyPaint Brushes
MyPaint Brushes is a downloadable brush-data package for MyPaint and other applications that use libmypaint.
What MyPaint Brushes is
MyPaint Brushes is a downloadable brush-data package for MyPaint and other applications that use libmypaint. The master branch contains brushes for libmypaint 2.x; for versions below 1.5, the project recommends the v1.3.x branch or a v1.x release instead. The listed v1.3.1 release is for libmypaint 1.3 or later, while v2.0.2 is listed for libmypaint 1.5 or later. The package uses .myb brush files and is free, including for commercial use. Application developers can find the default brush directory with pkg-config: C and C++ programs can use the MYPAINT_BRUSHES_DIR macro, while other languages can use the brushesdir variable. Building and installing uses autogen.sh, configure, make, and make install. Historical SCons scripts are included, but they work with SCons 2.x rather than SCons 3. The official brush data uses public domain or CC0 1.0 licensing; installation scripts and other non-brush-data components are licensed GPL-2+.
Good
- Free brush data, including for commercial use
- Supports MyPaint and other libmypaint applications
- Pkg-config exposes the brush directory
- Official brush data uses public domain or CC0 1.0
Watch out
- Master branch is intended for libmypaint 2.x
- Older libmypaint versions need a different branch or release
- Historical SCons scripts do not work with SCons 3
Who it suits
This package is for MyPaint users and developers of other applications built on libmypaint. Users should select a branch or release that matches their libmypaint version.
Verdict
MyPaint Brushes provides brush data for libmypaint-based applications, with release choices tied to library compatibility. Developers should also note that package installation scripts and other non-brush components use GPL-2+ licensing.
Plans and prices
From MyPaint Brushes's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Brush data package; version compatibility depends on libmypaint version |
The facts
Each one read from MyPaint Brushes's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Brush licensing
- The official brush package accepts public domain or CC0 1.0 licensing for brush data.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Brush version
- The master branch contains brushes for libmypaint 2.x.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Build
- The package can be built and installed with autogen.sh followed by configure, make, and make install.checked 7 Oct 2026
- C and C++ integration
- For C and C++ programs, pkg-config provides the MYPAINT_BRUSHES_DIR macro for locating the brushes.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- For libmypaint versions below 1.5, the project recommends the v1.3.x branch or a v1.x release instead of master.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- The README says unchecked loading of 2.x brush data with older libmypaint versions can cause them to crash.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The package can be built and installed with its autotools scripts using autogen.sh, configure, make, and make install.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Integration
- Applications can use the mypaint-brushes-2.0 pkg-config module to locate the default brushes directory.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The package is intended for MyPaint and other applications that use libmypaint.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Legacy build option
- Historical SCons scripts are included, but the README says they work only with SCons 2.x and not SCons 3.checked 8 Oct 2026
- License
- The README says official brush data must use public domain or CC0 1.0 licensing, while installation scripts and other package components use GPL-2+.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Other language integration
- For other languages, pkg-config exposes the brushes directory through the brushesdir variable.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Other package licensing
- The package's installation scripts and other non-brush-data components are GPL-2+ licensed.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- The package provides brushes used by MyPaint and other software using libmypaint.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Release compatibility
- The releases page lists v1.3.1 as usable with libmypaint 1.3 or later and v2.0.2 as usable with libmypaint 1.5 or later.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Release note
- The v2.0.2 release note says its changes only reduce preview icon file sizes and that v2.0.x brushes generally require libmypaint 1.5 or later to work correctly.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Versioning
- The brush data package is versioned, and the master branch contains brushes intended for libmypaint 2.x.checked 8 Oct 2026
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