How to Get Started with TextPaint's Drawing Tools

Updated

Open TextPaint in your browser and start drawing right away—no account, install, or special skills are needed. The fastest way to learn the tools is to open a demo from the sidebar and experiment with the paint tools on the canvas. Everything below works on that same canvas, using ASCII characters, Unicode symbols, or emojis as your "paint."

Before You Start

  • No setup required: TextPaint runs in the browser with no signup.
  • Pick a canvas size and font first: The sidebar lets you choose the canvas size and font style. Use a monospace font such as Courier or Lucida Console so your art displays correctly on other websites.
  • Know the layout: The sidebar holds all the tools and settings; the canvas is where you draw.

Core Drawing Tools

Pencil

Use the pencil to draw freehand with whichever character you have selected. This is the basic brush for sketching shapes, filling in areas by hand, or placing individual symbols.

Paint Bucket

The paint bucket fills closed areas instantly with any character you choose. Draw an outline first, then fill the inside in one click—useful for blocking in large regions without drawing each character.

Text Input

Type text and TextPaint converts it into ASCII art, which you can place anywhere on the canvas. This is the quickest way to add words or labels to a design.

Select Area

Highlight part of your workspace to copy, delete, or move it. Use this to rearrange sections of a drawing or duplicate a motif.

Character Picker

Grab any character already on the canvas to reuse it. Handy when you want to repeat a symbol without hunting for it on your keyboard.

Find & Replace

Swap characters instantly: choose what to find and what to replace it with. This makes quick global tweaks, such as changing a fill character across the whole piece.

Draw Line

Create straight or shaped lines in different styles—useful for borders, frames, and structure.

Image to ASCII

Upload an image and convert it into character art. A good starting point if you want a base to refine with the pencil and paint bucket.

Merge Two Texts

Combine two text files into one, for example to bring together separate parts of a project.

Adjusting and Finishing Your Artwork

The settings below the main tools let you refine the result:

  • Shift, rotate, or mirror the text on the page.
  • Adjust text and background colors while editing.
  • Resize and shift the canvas as your art grows.
  • Watch for the formatting warning: TextPaint highlights characters that might break formatting, such as wide or odd-width ones. Check these before sharing.
  • Export your work as a text file, HTML, or a JavaScript string when you're satisfied.

A Simple First Exercise

  1. Choose a canvas size and a monospace font in the sidebar.
  2. Select the pencil and pick a character.
  3. Sketch a simple outline, then switch to the paint bucket to fill it.
  4. Use text input to add a word or label, and select area to reposition it.
  5. Export as a text file to check how it looks.

Common Sticking Points

  • Art looks misaligned elsewhere: You're likely not using a monospace font. Stick to Courier or Lucida Console.
  • Fill spills outside the shape: The paint bucket needs a fully closed area; check for gaps in your outline.
  • Odd characters break the layout: Use the formatting warning to spot wide or odd-width characters before exporting.

Once you're comfortable with these tools, the sidebar's dedicated feature pages explain each one in more detail.