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Ctrl+Paint
What it is
Ctrl+Paint is a web-based learning resource for digital painting basics, taught through brief videos. Its free library contains hundreds of lessons, each described as five minutes long, arranged in a progression from introductory to more advanced topics. Subjects include drawing, composition, reference, Photoshop tools, painting techniques, color, masking and vector tools. The library page says new free videos appear every Tuesday and Thursday. For practice, the Concept Art Playbook offers game-industry-style visual problem-solving challenges learners can follow at their own pace. The Digital Painting Starter Kit includes six video series, worksheets, line art and PSD files. A stylus is required because pressure sensitivity is essential to the techniques taught; Wacom tablets are recommended. The free video library costs nothing and has no ads or subscription fees. Premium series are $10, paid once, while the Starter Kit is $55, paid once. The service runs on the web, and it does not offer personal tutoring or portfolio reviews.
For and against
For
- Free library includes hundreds of short videos.
- Lessons progress from basic to more advanced topics.
- New free videos are listed for Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Concept Art Playbook challenges can be followed at any pace.
- Starter Kit includes worksheets, line art and PSD files.
Against
- A stylus is required for the taught techniques.
- No personal tutoring or portfolio reviews are offered.
- Available on web; no mobile platform is listed.
The verdict
Ctrl+Paint combines a large free video library with optional paid series and a project kit. It is suited to self-directed learners who have a stylus, but it does not provide individualized tutoring or portfolio feedback.
Who it suits
Ctrl+Paint suits beginners and other learners who want structured digital painting lessons and self-paced visual problem-solving practice. Learners need a stylus to use the techniques taught.
Plans and prices
Free video library
Hundreds of streaming videos · no ads or subscription fees
Read 7 Oct 2026 · ctrlpaint.com
Premium series
Individual in-depth video collections · beginner to intermediate topics
Read 7 Oct 2026 · ctrlpaint.com
Digital Painting Starter Kit
6 premium series · 362 minutes · worksheets, line art, and PSD files
Read 7 Oct 2026 · ctrlpaint.myshopify.com
On the record
- Advertising
- The About page says Ctrl+Paint is free and has no ads, and that the store helps support the site.ctrlpaint.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Comments login
- The FAQ says logging in is only for commenting and does not provide special access to content.ctrlpaint.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- 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.ctrlpaint.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Equipment requirement
- The FAQ says a stylus is needed because pressure sensitivity is essential to the techniques taught, and recommends Wacom tablets.ctrlpaint.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Learning progression
- The videos are organized into a progression from basic to more advanced topics.ctrlpaint.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Library
- The free video library contains hundreds of short videos on digital painting basics.ctrlpaint.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Materials
- The Digital Painting Starter Kit includes six video series and associated worksheets, line art, and PSD files.ctrlpaint.myshopify.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Premium downloads
- After a premium-series purchase is paid, the buyer receives an automated email with download instructions and a link.ctrlpaint.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Ctrl+Paint is a free learning resource dedicated to the basics of digital painting, taught through bite-sized videos.ctrlpaint.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Release schedule
- The library page says a new free video is released every Tuesday and Thursday.ctrlpaint.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The creator says he reads support emails personally and asks users to check the FAQ and keep messages concise.ctrlpaint.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- 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.ctrlpaint.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Topics
- The library includes lessons on drawing, composition, reference, Photoshop tools, painting techniques, color, masking, and vector tools.ctrlpaint.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Video length
- The site describes its videos as five minutes long.ctrlpaint.com · read 7 Oct 2026
