Foolin' Around With GIMP

[The Chosen]

Well, I downloaded Paint.net and GIMP the other day -- both free programs, if you didn't know. Paint.net is like a second, more advanced version of regular paint and GIMP is kinda like Photoshop only a lot less fancy. Just the basic stuff really.

Anyway, I had no idea what layers were and I remembered that edb has some tutorials on her site so I checked that out. I went through her tutorial as best I could considering I have a different program then her. This is what I came up with:

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5796/buffylayersra1.png

It's really basic and a little boring. But basically all I did was use like three layers. Two of the layers had different textures (credit goes to edb for those) I think. I added a shadow layer but that did nothing. (Lol.) I also added a gradient flare. And then after about ten minutes of trying to figure out how to delete this "Floating Pasting" layer I finally was able to merge them all together to get that image. I think I might continue, well...foolin' around with GIMP!

- TC

[Clem Rocks]

Pretty good for a first try, keep practising, and you'll soon find out that Gimp can be almost as good as photoshop ;)

[Angel's vision]

Good stuff for a basic programme! (*wish Aps were not £$!*)

[The Chosen]

Thank you guys so much for the comments! I really appreciate them! Here's another one I made. It was using promos from all over the place but it's supposed to represent how the Scoobies "drifted" in season seven.

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1545/fadefromlightzv7.png

Comments/critiques are always appreciated!
- TC

[nerd4hire]

I like your sig. Did you do that one with Gimp?

OK, I've got some comments. I don't know if they'll be helpful, but I hope they might be.

I also have fooled around with Gimp, and Paint.net. In my case they were quick experiments. I quickly came to the realization I'm not an artist. I can however get an idea for something from time to time. So how do I transfer that idea to the screen with minimal fuss in a way that does not look too blatantly ugly.

To be honest the only thing Gimp and Paint.net taught me is there are freebies out there. Some are easier to play with than others, and each one has one, or two things they do better than the other. So what if I just downloaded all the freebie apps out there, discover the different things they do well, and switch from app to app?

I however have resolved not to care an awful lot about the technical intricacies of the art, because me, I'm not an artist. I'm just a guy who wants to tell a quick joke pictorially. This wouldn't apply to you, but you still might find something useful in the approach.

I found a couple of small freebie apps I'll recommend if you want to check the technique out.

Photofiltre (http://photofiltre.en.softonic.com/) - It's hardly Photoshop, but it's small, and does a few nifty tricks quick.

FastStone Screen Capture (http://www.faststone.org/FSCaptureDetail.htm) - It's one of those little Screen capture apps where you can capture any part of any image that appears on your screen. There's lots of ways to do that, of course, but I like this one. It's small, quick, easy, and does anything you can think of.

[The Chosen]

Thank you, n4h. I greatly appreciate those two little recommendations. Once I start uninstalling useless things off my computer I might give those two a try.

About the banner: No, I didn't make that. It was probably made with Photoshop. It's there to promote a Buffy show called Slayer Academy and it's one of the better fics out there. There's a gigantic community tied to the network its hosted by, as well.

Thanks again!
- TC

[Keanoite]

Thank you guys so much for the comments! I really appreciate them! Here's another one I made. It was using promos from all over the place but it's supposed to represent how the Scoobies "drifted" in season seven.

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1545/fadefromlightzv7.png

Comments/critiques are always appreciated!
- TC


I really like this one...has an ANGEL season 1 feel to it

[The Chosen]

I HAVE ARRIVED!

Here's a new piece. In this one I kinda fooled around with gradients and a few motion blur effects. Here it is:

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/7149/lightupyourdayvl0.png

Thank you all for looking as I really, truly appreciate it. :)

- TC

I'M LEAVING NOW!

[Keanoite]

Your right, you HAVE arrived! I really like the colouring...very Sunnydale!

[spuffy]

I like all of your work and I can see that your work has really improved... Keep it up!

[The Chosen]

Well, here is my first set of icons. I call it "The Scoobie Collection." :lmao: I only included the last one because it was my first -- see how much improvement was made in five minutes? :D

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9673/tcsiconsrb3.png

There you go! Comments/concrits are always appreciated!
- TC

[spuffy]

I still think that this is an improvement! I like the colours!

[The Chosen]

Thank you spuffy! Happy holidays!

- TC

[~angelic slayer~]

You have some really neat stuff here TC! Especially love your last two posts, you chose really nice colour palettes for them both. Just really nicely done! Clear, simple and buffy. Keep it up :)

[The Chosen]

Here's a new banner I made the other night. It's kinda my first one:

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/7926/representoa0.png

Comments/concrit are always welcome!
- TC

[The Chosen]

After a few months, I've still been making art a whole lot, and here's my newest piece:

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/2593/darthwillowdn3.png

Tell me what ya think!
- TC

[edb]

'lol' Darth Willow! :D Love it! I also really like the very first SMG piece you posted too, but they are all good and you can see the improvments you are making, so just keep making stuff! :D

[Angel's vision]

TC! such brilliance! I love it!

[The Chosen]

Lol thanks guys. :) I made this a few minutes ago:

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/3544/wbuffytp6.png

Tell me what you think. :)

[Angel's vision]

Good one TC! I like the WB in the middle

[The Chosen]

I made a UPN banner to go with the WB one: (It's not my best but hey, I like it lol.)

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/9090/upnbuffykm8.png

Well, I'm getting a new computer system today and I wanted my last piece of art (on that computer) to be related to Chosen. Now, please Keanoite and all the other die-hard Bangel shippers....don't shoot....don't shoot. It's my first wallpaper ever, so...yeah. Lol.

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/2525/iloveyouspuffyup6.png

And last but not least, my alternate season one DVD cover. I think I might continue making these :D :

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/549/buffyseasononeah9.png

[Angel's vision]

Love em, especially the last one, TC your unique style amazes me.

[DarklyDreamingDrusilla]

Love the new stuff especially the Buffy season 1 cover. And you already know that I thought the wallpaper was adorable. =) keep um coming!

[Angels baby101]

love all the new stuff hun keep them all comming your doing so well :D

[palabravampiress]

I love the season 1 cover. It's awesome.

[The Chosen]

I was screwing around with edb's textures and a pink gradient and I made these: (There's two of them because I couldn't decide which one I liked better lol.)

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/1651/michelle2ic4.png

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/8357/michellevw5.png

Tell me what ya think! :D

[Angels baby101]

I love the New Michelle Peice... I'd go alittle less pink just so you can really see her face but the blending is freakin fantastic!!

[Wanabee-slayer]

WOOT! I love your work hun it's amazing! I'm so proud of you! lol! My little baby's growing up *sniffle* lmao!

[The Chosen]

http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/1796/shineoverstarspb7.png

I got inspired by YouTube - Anna Nalick - Shine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgiZz-aqheU&feature=user) <---- That song. It's a great song IMO and I can't stop listening to it. Anna Nalick ROCKS, y'all. :D Anywho, please tell me what you think of me SECOND wallpaper! :D

- TC

[edb]

Aww....it's all pretty and shiny! :) Great job - I like the colours, and you've not gone 'in your face' yellow, it's warm and sunny without being too bright. I'd say you've done a FAB job on it! :D

[Slayergal]

Awesome work TC!!!!!

[The Chosen]

Just watched OMWF the other day and had to make this:

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/5151/omwfbannergy1.png

Comments are always welcome! (As is constructive criticism. :nod:)

[lemst6]

I really like your work, and it's great to see you can do well with GIMP. I use it currently (will be switching shortly since I'm starting school in July for graphic design) but I would give you advice but it doesn't seem like you need any. Great work.

[The Chosen]

I made these icons today! I hope you like them! (Also, if the s-h word is too much I'd be fine with mods removing the icons with that word in them. :nods:)

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/7444/badmamajamalv8.png
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/6671/ohshithz1.png
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/149/barfightsrockye4.png
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/9880/revisitedohshittt2.png
http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/1659/uhohkx0.png
http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/8264/sobsofaslayergy9.png
http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/7352/idefineasskickerygh9.png
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/9570/determinatedmuchsf8.png

[Angel's vision]

TC good work there! Looking forward to more

[palabravampiress]

I just wanted to stop by and say keep up the good work! I really like your latest set of icons. Besides, we GIMPtastic folks gotta stick together. lol.

[DarklyDreamingDrusilla]

I am loving the new icons all of the phrases you used were great my favorite would have to be "i define ass kickery" :smile:

[The Chosen]

My first blend! I hope you guys like 'em! (I say "'em" because I made two versions lol.)

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/7126/slayerschosentwooc0.png
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/9840/fuffyistruthqh6.png

[Senior Watcher]

my banner was created with gimp. i havent totally figured out all the bells and whistles, but id love some tips from you since you seem to be a master!

[The Chosen]

Blending is my crack now!

Magically Inclined (http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/8519/magicallyinclinedum3.png)

Tell me what you think!

[DarklyDreamingDrusilla]

Uh uh uh ... I am speechless that is just soo amazing!!

[Starlet]

Great work! I just love the Willow one.

[Angels baby101]

I agree its simply amazing! You've come so far with your work and i am just amazed by it really... its wonderful :D

[alexa]

Owh sweet Fray icons! My favourite is 'uh-oh'. Nice job with Buffy and Faith there too. :)

[The Chosen]

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6752/iwasinheavenfp9.png

It's pretty simple but I like it! Tell me what you think!

[The Chosen]

Sorry to double post, but I just made this and I'm really excited about it!

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/8584/buffyseasoneightboxsetfrf2.png

I picked Zhang Ziyi as Satsu. I was going to use Julia Ling, but I couldn't find ANY good pictures of her that woulda worked. Tell me what you think!

[Keanoite]

Nice work TC. Well done.


(Things ran a bit longer than I expected them to so the swirly things will have to wait :blush: I'm so so so so so sorry but I swear that I will show you how to do them! as prep find an image you want them to encircle and we can go from there)

[edb]

Yep, very nice work TC, you're blending is great! I love the the 'Season Eight' piece, excellent work, and also the OMWF banner too, lovin' the text on that especially! :D

[DarklyDreamingDrusilla]

Your new stuff is amazing! I can't belive i saw this so late! I love it, the Season 8 one is amazing and I love who you picked to play Satsu she looks great! Keep it up love it TC!

[Angels baby101]

wow your new pieces are fantastic hun :) keep up the good work

[The Chosen]

This was very much a test and very sucky, so don't judge too harshly! Lol.

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/5915/buffywallpaperjs9.png

The BtVS logo is sort of messed up as it continues off the edge of the image, but there really wasn't anything I could do without giving the image a white background in the process. I hope you like it!

[Aethra]

Yes, of course it has a style, silly! It's very nice. I actually like the way the logo goes off the image, I think it's great. I love that everything is concentrated on one side of the wallpaper, too.

[edb]

Very nice! :D Looks great TC!

[The Chosen]

I absolutely HATE this wallpaper but Aethra BULLIED ME into posting it because she LOVES it. I hate it and it makes me want to puke. The only redeeming thing about this wall is that it's Bangel-themed.

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6836/bangelisthebestet0.png

*horks* *lols*

[Aethra]

He speaks the truth. He refused to post it until I told him to let you all know I bullied him into it! Stubborn, stubborn child.

You already know I love it!

[MSchett]

i love it! the blue backround is a nice touch

[DarklyDreamingDrusilla]

You got some great stuff there TC! Can't wait to see some more. :smile:

[DingOz]

I really like the Bangel montage there... the colors flow smoothly... Great job!

[edb]

Aww Bangel! :D Gotta love the Bangelness of it, plus you did a damn fine job too! :) You shouldn't be so critical of your work, it looks really good *wags finger* ;)

[Angel's vision]

TC that wallpaper is great! Don't diss your work!

[Aethra]

See?! I told you they'd love it!

[Angels baby101]

Wow TC that is freakin awesome.... you have become so good at this stuff.... I'm in love with it actually i'd totally use it as my desktop if i weren't so into having the baby as my background right now lol

[The Chosen]

I made this today! I hope you guys like it!

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/9076/painofbeingmecq1.png

- TC

[Aethra]

Woohooooo! I didn't even have to bully you this time! I LOVE it, but you already know that.

[Blondie Bear]

That is beautiful, TC. Great job.

[caitaintdead]

Wow I just looked at all this for the first time in a long time and WOW. You got real good real fast! Did you use GIMP to do all that? I might consider giving it a try. palabras art always looks great as well so I might try and join your gimpgang.

[The Chosen]

Sooo I made some more BANNERS! I've been screwing around with some new techniques, so tell me what you think!

Buffy (http://img404.imageshack.us/my.php?image=abuncanceofbuffyswv4.png)
Willow (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=willowbannerlz9.png) (Mods can remove this one if it's too...not wholesome?)
Faith (http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/4323/faith2az2.png)

- TC

[~angelic slayer~]

LOVE your new signature banner, it's really well done! And that photoshoot is so often forgotten, but you did a great job bringing it back to life :thumbsup:

[SpoonsAreCool]

I was expecting something else when I read the title of this thread.. :lmao:

[The Chosen]

Badada!

Forgive Me Father 1024x768 (http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9862/forgivemefathertj9.png)
Forgive Me Father 800x600 (http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/1884/forgivemefathersmallerox9.png)
Halloween Banner (http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/4277/happyhalloweendrusillalp7.png)

Tell me what you think!

[SpoonsAreCool]

For some reason the first 2 links don't work for me ::crying2:

But, I seen the Halloween banner, it's pretty scary, Drusilla scares me, very nicely done, it's great :)

[The Chosen]

I was inspired by a new Julia Nunes song, so I made this.

Stairwell (http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5798/stairwellir9.png)

Tell me what you think! :D
- TC

[DrusillaRox]

*yawn*

they're great!!!!! homestly

*falls asleep no Drusilla banner*