Fortunately, a plug-in makes it possible to create and use custom brushes inPaint.NET.

Close Paint.NET and open theZIPfile you downloaded.

Copy theEffectsandFileTypesfolders inside the ZIP file.

Download the free plugin pack for Paint.NET.

Paste the folders you copied inside thePaint.NETfolder in yourProgram Files.

Go toLayers>Add a New Layerto set up a separate layer for the brushwork.

Go toEffects>Tools>CreateBrushesMini.

Close Paint.Net if you have it open, then open the ZIP file containing the plugins.

SelectAdd Brushat the top.

opt for image file that you wish to use as the basis of the brush.

All custom brushes you add will be displayed in the right-hand column of the custom brushes dialog box.

A screenshot of the Paint.NET plug-in pack with the Effects and File Types files highlighted

PNG, GIF, and PDN files offer support fortransparent backgrounds.

A lower speed will make the brush’s impressions more widely spaced.

Click inside the box to apply your custom brush.

Locate the Paint.NET folder in your Program Files and paste the folders you copied inside.

SelectOKto apply the new brushwork to the image.

Why Use Custom Brushes in Paint.NET?

This tool is very useful for storing and applying graphic elements that you regularly reuse in your work.

A screenshot of Paint.NET with the Tools menu under the Effects heading highlighted

A screenshot of Paint.NET with the Add New Layer command highlighted

A screenshot of Paint.NET with the CustomBrushesMini command highlighted

A screenshot of the CustomBrushMini screen in Paint.NET with the Add Brush button highlighted

Select the image file that you wish to use as the basis of the brush.

A screenshot of Paint.NET with the Brush Size option highlighted

A screenshot of Paint.NET with the Brush Mode options highlighted

A screenshot of Paint.NET with the Speed option highighted

Click inside the box to apply your custom brush.

A screenshot of Paint.NET’s custom brush screen with the OK button highlighted

Your custom art will appear in it’s own layer, so you can move it around and adjust it without affecting other parts of the image.