Krita

Krita was initially developed as part of the KOffice suite by the KDE community in 1999. It evolved over the years to become a standalone digital painting application, focusing on providing artists with versatile tools for creating illustrations and artwork. The software gained significant traction due to its open-source nature and commitment to meeting the needs of digital artists.

Krita's strengths include its extensive brush engine, customizable interface, and affordability as a free tool. Its weaknesses involve a steep learning curve for beginners and occasional performance issues on large projects. Competitors include Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, and Clip Studio Paint.

A Krita expert must have skills in digital painting techniques, proficiency with various brush engines, and the ability to customize and manage layers effectively. They should also be adept at using Krita's selection tools, understanding color management, and optimizing workflow through keyboard shortcuts and tool presets.