The guide walks Fedora users through installing MyPaint by first adding the RPM Fusion repository, then using dnf to pull down the package and confirming that /usr/bin/mypaint is present before launching it in Wayland or Xorg. It explains why the default Fedora repositories do not include MyPaint, details how to install it with a couple of commands, and shows how to verify the installation by checking the binary’s location. For those who use tablets, it offers a quick tweak in Preferences to adjust pressure curves and also lists common hiccups such as missing GTK 3 or broken GSettings, along with simple one‑line commands that usually fix them. Finally, the post reminds users that keeping MyPaint updated is as easy as running dnf upgrade, eliminating the need for manual downloads or compiling.

How to Install MyPaint on Fedora Linux: A Quick Guide for Digital Artists

If you’re a digital artist who prefers Fedora, this short walk‑through shows how to get MyPaint up and running without wrestling with dependencies or poking around in third‑party repos. You’ll be drawing again in minutes.

Why MyPaint Makes Sense on Fedora

MyPaint is lightweight, freehand‑oriented, and doesn’t care about fancy plug‑ins. It works great for sketching before you move to a full‑blown raster or vector package. I’ve seen people on Fedora jump from GIMP’s bumpy brush engine straight to MyPaint because of its instant pressure sensitivity.

Step 1: Add the RPM Fusion Repository

The official Fedora repos don’t ship MyPaint, so you need RPM Fusion to pull it in.

sudo dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm

RPM Fusion contains a curated set of open‑source packages that Fedora’s default repos skip. Skipping this step means you’ll have to build from source or use an untrusted PPA, which is not ideal.

Step 2: Install MyPaint

With the repo in place, grab the package:

sudo dnf install mypaint

DNF will resolve dependencies automatically. If it asks about libmypaint or python3-gi, just hit “y”. No more manual library juggling.

Step 3: Verify Installation and Launch

Check that the binary exists:

which mypaint

You should see /usr/bin/mypaint. Now start it:

mypaint &

If you’re on a Wayland session, MyPaint will open in its own window. On Xorg, it behaves like any other desktop app.

Optional: Set Up a Tablet (if you have one)

MyPaint auto‑detects Wacom tablets, but you can tweak pressure curves:

1. Open MyPaint => Preferences.

2. Go to the Tablet tab.

3. Adjust the Pressure curve sliders until the brush feels natural.

I’ve had users complain that their default curve was too linear; a quick tweak often fixes that “stiff” feel.

What if MyPaint Won’t Start?

Common hiccups:

• Missing GTK 3: Fedora 38 ships with GTK 4, so make sure you have the compatibility layer. sudo dnf install gtk2 usually resolves it.
• Broken GSettings: Run dconf reset -f /org/mypaint/ to clear stale config if the app refuses to launch.

If all else fails, consult the Fedora forums; someone’s already probably posted a workaround.

Keeping MyPaint Updated

Simply run:

sudo dnf upgrade mypaint

Fedora’s update manager will handle it. No manual downloads or compiling.

That’s all there is to it: a couple of commands, a quick tweak if you use a tablet, and you’re ready to sketch away on Fedora.