How to Paint Textures Directly onto 3D Models in Blender

Texture painting in Blender allows artists to apply colors, details, and patterns directly onto the surface of a 3D model. This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step walkthrough on how to set up your 3D model, prepare its UV map, configure a canvas material, and use Blender’s Texture Paint mode to brush color directly onto your assets.

Step 1: UV Unwrap the 3D Model

Before you can paint, your 3D model needs a 2D coordinate system known as a UV map. This map tells Blender how to project your 2D painted image onto the 3D surface.

1. Select your 3D model in the viewport.
2. Switch to the UV Editing workspace at the top of the screen.
3. Press Tab to enter Edit Mode, and press A to select all geometry.
4. Press U on your keyboard to open the UV Mapping menu.
5. Select Smart UV Project and click OK for a quick, automated unwrap.

Step 2: Create a Material and Base Texture

Blender needs a material and an image file to act as the canvas for your brushstrokes.

1. Switch to the Shading workspace.
2. With your model selected, go to the Material Properties panel on the right (red sphere icon) and click New to create a material.
3. In the Shader Editor at the bottom, press Shift + A, search for Image Texture, and place the node.
4. Connect the Color output of the Image Texture node to the Base Color input of the Principled BSDF node.
5. In the Image Texture node, click the New button.
6. Name your texture, choose a resolution (such as 2048 x 2048), select a background color, and click OK.

Step 3: Switch to Texture Paint Mode

Once the material is linked to your new image, you are ready to start painting.

1. Switch to the Texture Paint workspace from the top menu bar. (Alternatively, click the interaction mode dropdown in the top-left of the 3D Viewport—where it says Object Mode—and change it to Texture Paint).
2. Your model will turn the color of the base texture you created in Step 2.

Step 4: Configure Your Brush and Paint

You can now draw directly on either the 3D model itself or the 2D Image Editor on the left side of the screen.

• To Paint: Left-click and drag your mouse or stylus over the 3D model.
• Adjust Brush Size: Press F and drag your mouse to scale the brush radius, then click to confirm.
• Adjust Brush Strength: Press Shift + F to change the opacity of the brush.
• Change Color: Use the color wheel located in the Active Tool panel on the right side of the screen.

Step 5: Save the Painted Texture

Blender does not automatically save your painted textures when you save your project file. You must save the image file manually to avoid losing your work.

1. Look at the Image Editor on the left side of the screen (showing your flat texture).
2. Click on the Image menu in the header.
3. Select Save As or Save to export your painted texture as a PNG or JPEG file onto your computer.