MyPaint Brushes

Free plan

Visit MyPaint Brushes Alternatives Pricing

What MyPaint Brushes is

MyPaint Brushes is a free brush-data package for MyPaint and other applications that use libmypaint. The master branch contains brushes intended for libmypaint 2.x, while the project directs users of versions below 1.5 to the v1.3.x branch or a v1.x release. The listed v1.3.1 release works with libmypaint 1.3 or later, and v2.0.2 is listed for libmypaint 1.5 or later. The package uses .myb brush files and can be built and installed with autogen.sh, configure, make, and make install. Developers can use pkg-config to find the brush directory: C and C++ programs can use the MYPAINT_BRUSHES_DIR macro, while other languages can use the brushesdir variable. Historical SCons scripts are also included, but they work with SCons 2.x rather than SCons 3. Official brush data uses public domain or CC0 1.0 licensing. Installation scripts and other non-brush-data components use GPL-2+ licensing. The v2.0.2 release note says its changes only reduce preview icon file sizes and notes that v2.0.x brushes generally require libmypaint 1.5 or later to work correctly.

Who it suits

MyPaint Brushes suits users of MyPaint and other libmypaint-based applications, as well as developers integrating the default brush directory. Users should choose a branch or release compatible with their libmypaint version.

What it does well

Free brush data for MyPaint and libmypaint applications
Brush files use the .myb format
Commercial use is permitted
pkg-config exposes the brush directory
Includes autotools build and installation scripts

What to know first

Master branch brushes target libmypaint 2.x
Versions below libmypaint 1.5 need an older branch or release
Historical SCons scripts do not work with SCons 3

Limits

The master branch is intended for libmypaint 2.x. For libmypaint versions below 1.5, the project recommends the v1.3.x branch or a v1.x release.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	Brush data package; version compatibility depends on libmypaint version	Free

As github.com lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Download the package from its project website.
Choose a branch or release compatible with your libmypaint version.
Build and install with autogen.sh, configure, make, and make install.
Use pkg-config to locate the brushes directory in your application.

Verdict

MyPaint Brushes provides downloadable brush data with integration paths for application developers and commercial use permitted. Compatibility depends on the libmypaint version, and the brush data and installation components have different licenses.

Questions

Is MyPaint Brushes free?

Yes. The Free plan costs nothing, and the package is available for commercial use.

Which applications use the brushes?

The package is intended for MyPaint and other applications that use libmypaint.

Which libmypaint versions are supported?

The master branch contains brushes for libmypaint 2.x. Release v1.3.1 is listed for libmypaint 1.3 or later, and v2.0.2 for 1.5 or later.

How can an application find the brush directory?

C and C++ programs can use pkg-config's MYPAINT_BRUSHES_DIR macro. Other languages can use the brushesdir variable.

What are the package licenses?

Official brush data accepts public domain or CC0 1.0 licensing. Installation scripts and other non-brush-data components are GPL-2+.

Facts from MyPaint Brushes's own pages

Brush licensing: The official brush package accepts public domain or CC0 1.0 licensing for brush data. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Brush version: The master branch contains brushes for libmypaint 2.x. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Build: The package can be built and installed with autogen.sh followed by configure, make, and make install. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
C and C++ integration: For C and C++ programs, pkg-config provides the MYPAINT_BRUSHES_DIR macro for locating the brushes. · github.com, 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. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Compatibility limit: The README says unchecked loading of 2.x brush data with older libmypaint versions can cause them to crash. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Installation: The package can be built and installed with its autotools scripts using autogen.sh, configure, make, and make install. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Integration: Applications can use the mypaint-brushes-2.0 pkg-config module to locate the default brushes directory. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Intended users: The package is intended for MyPaint and other applications that use libmypaint. · github.com, 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. · github.com, 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+. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Other language integration: For other languages, pkg-config exposes the brushes directory through the brushesdir variable. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Other package licensing: The package's installation scripts and other non-brush-data components are GPL-2+ licensed. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Purpose: The package provides brushes used by MyPaint and other software using libmypaint. · github.com, 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. · github.com, 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. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Versioning: The brush data package is versioned, and the master branch contains brushes intended for libmypaint 2.x. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026

Where MyPaint Brushes stands on Freedom251

Digital Brush Libraries#14 of 23