How to Install MyPaint on Linux Mint 20

MyPaint is a free, open-source digital painting program that you can edit your artwork. It has many features for easy to create backgrounds and figures on canvas or paper! For users migrating from Windows and using the native paint program, this feels similar to it but has much more features.

In the following tutorial, you will learn how to install MyPaint on Linux Mint 20 using two different methods, which are APT and Flatpak and how to maintain remove in the future using the command line terminal.

Update Linux Mint

The first step is to make sure your system is up-to-date to avoid issues during the installation and for good practice. This is done by opening your terminal and using the following command.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Install MyPaint – APT Method

The first option is to install MyPaint with APT from Linux Mint/Ubuntu’s repository. This may be ideal for users who do not want to manually download the paint program or install a third-party manager since MyPaint does not change that often in terms of updates for new features.

Run the following command to install MyPaint from the standard repository using the following command.

sudo apt install mypaint -y

Install MyPaint – Flatpak Method

The second option is to use the Flatpak package manager, and this is natively installed on Linux Mint in place of the SNAP package system that has been removed and disabled.

First, re-install the Flatpak manager if it was removed previously.

sudo apt install flatpak -y

For users installing Flatpak for the first time, it is often recommended to reboot your system. Failure to do this can occur with odd issues arising, such as paths not being generated for icons.

reboot

SKIP THE REBOOT IF FLATPAK IS INSTALLED.

Next, you need to enable Flatpack using the following command in your terminal:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Now install MyPaint using the following flatpak command.

flatpak install flathub org.mypaint.MyPaint -y

Launch MyPaint

Now that you have the paint application installed, launching can be done in a few ways.

In your terminal type:

mypaint

If you would like to launch and use the terminal at the same time, send it to the background:

mypaint &

Alternatively, Flatpak users will need to launch using the command below from a terminal instance:

flatpak run org.mypaint.MyPaint

However, this isn’t practical, and you would use the following path on your desktop to open with the path: Taskbar > Graphics > MyPaint

Example:

Once open, you will arrive at the default paint screen. From here, you can begin using the paint program.

Example:

Update/Upgrade MyPaint

Depending on the method used, the following commands can be used to update.

APT Method

sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt upgrade

Flatpak Method

flatpak update

Remove MyPaint

For users that no longer require the paint application, use one of the following commands to suit the original method of installation.

APT Remove Method

sudo apt autoremove mypaint -y

Flatpak Remove Method

flatpak uninstall --delete-data org.mypaint.MyPaint

Next, run the following command for any leftover clean-up.

flatpak remove --unused

Comments and Conclusion

In the guide, you have learned to install the MyPaint on Linux Mint 20 using APT or Flatpak manager.

If you are looking for a digital painting program that is lightweight, free, and has many features without overcomplicating things, try out Mypaint.