Krita Introduces Advanced HDR Painting Capabilities for High Dynamic Range Projects

Published on January 07, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Krita interface showing an HDR scene with intense glows and smooth color transitions, along with OCIO color management panels and OpenEXR formats.

Krita introduces advanced HDR painting capabilities for high dynamic range projects

The latest version of Krita has incorporated HDR functionalities that transform the way artists work with high dynamic range images. It is now possible to open, edit, and save files in professional formats, leveraging native support for OpenEXR and integration with OpenColorIO (OCIO) for precise color management. This provides a much wider color gamut and luminosity values than traditional formats, which is crucial for projects that demand high-fidelity visual representation. 🎨

Advantages of the HDR workflow in Krita

The use of HDR in Krita revolutionizes the creative process by offering exceptional depth in shadows and highlights without loss of detail. Artists can manipulate scenes with extreme lighting and smooth transitions between tones, which is especially useful for fantasy environments, night scenes, or representations of intense light sources. Compatibility with OpenEXR ensures that files retain all color and light information during export and import, ensuring a seamless workflow. 💡

Key benefits of HDR in Krita:
  • Greater depth in shadows and highlights without compromising detail
  • Manipulation of scenes with extreme lighting and smooth transitions
  • Compatibility with professional formats like OpenEXR to preserve information
Now you can create suns so bright that you almost need sunglasses to look at the monitor, even though your boss still doesn't understand why all your illustrations seem to have a nuclear explosion in the background.

Integration with OCIO and professional formats

Krita integrates seamlessly with OpenColorIO (OCIO), allowing users to maintain color consistency across different devices and software. This is essential for collaborative projects where multiple artists work on the same material, as it ensures colors look consistent at all stages. Support for HDR formats like OpenEXR facilitates file exchange with other professional applications in the industry, creating a unified workflow from digital painting to final post-production. 🌐

Features of OCIO integration and formats:
  • Maintenance of color consistency across multiple devices and software
  • Facilitates collaboration between artists on shared projects
  • Smooth exchange of HDR files with professional applications

Impact on high-fidelity visual projects

The incorporation of HDR capabilities in Krita marks a before and after in the creation of projects that require high-fidelity visual representation. Artists can now work with a significantly wider color gamut and luminosity values, which is indispensable for scenes with complex lighting and subtle details. The combination of OpenEXR and OCIO not only improves visual quality but also optimizes the workflow, making Krita an essential tool for industry professionals. ✨