I'm new to Krita, I love it, and i'm trying to slowlyt learn how to use it, but, one thing that has completely baffled me is how to escape or commit after using one of the transform tools...
I >select the tool (transform square etc) >select the area i want to work on > hit CTR+T to manipulate the area, and when i'm happy, try to finish and close the selection, but i have no idea what keys to press to escape from the highlighted area i have on the screen (dotted lines).

Does anyone know how to get out of the transform tool/area highlighted and get back to drawing etc?

Press Return to finish/commit the transform, then do another or go to a different layer to do another one.
Or select a different tool to finish/commit the transform and then use newly selected tool.