Last week, I wrote about 5 open source graphics programs. One of the programs I covered was GIMP, an open source Photoshop alternative for creating and editing images.

If you’re familiar with Photoshop, GIMP can take some getting used to.

This week, I’m going to help you master The GIMP with a showcase of 3 sources of GIMP tutorials guaranteed to turn you from newbie to GIMP master *.

These sites will help you:

  1. Learn the GIMP interface and basic keyboard shortcuts (in ½ an hour!)
  2. Learn the basics of GIMP and perform common (and essential) tasks
  3. Take your new GIMP superpowers and learn how to perform daring acts of special effects, photo-manipulation and more.

* Guarantee on GIMP mastery not valid in Alaska or lower 49 states. Results may vary. See a doctor if results last longer than 6 hours. Do not take internally.

1. Learn the GIMP Interface in 30 Minutes

GIMP’s interface and keyboard shortcuts are quite a bit different from Photoshop, so this is probably the biggest hurdle if you’re coming from PS.

Want to learn the basics of using GIMP’s interface? Want to learn GIMP’s interface and main keyboard shortcuts? Have 30 minutes?

Yes, yes and yes? Checkout a rundown of GIMP’s tools and shortcuts posted on GimpTalk’s forum.

2. Learn the Basics With the Official GIMP.org Tutorials

Now that you have GIMP’s interface and shortcuts down, it’s time to practice some basics with the tutorials found on the GIMP.org website. These tutorials cover many of GIMP’s abilities and are grouped into categories such as Beginner, Intermediate, Expert, Photo Editing, Web and even Script Authoring.

Beginner Tutorials

Covers the basics of using GIMP (getting a grip on GIMP) and things you will need for most editing projects such as:

  • Using selections
  • Paths (Bezier selections)
  • Quickmask
  • Red-eye removal

Intermediate Tutorials

The intermediate tutorials build a bit on the beginner tutorials:

  • Drawing shapes with paths
  • Anti-aliased threshold
  • Film grain
  • Changing background color
  • Coloring a black and white sketch
  • Textures
  • Simple animation
  • Custom brushes

Expert

The tutorials in the expert section continue to build on the features of GIMP:

  • Make GIMP image pipes
  • Sketch effect
  • Draw a paint brush
  • Creating icons
  • Using GAP (GIMP Animation Package)
  • Advanced Animations

Photo Editing Tutorials

The photo editing tutorials section covers:

  • Converting color images to black and white
  • Selective colorization
  • Reducing CCD noise
  • Contrast masking
  • Gaussian blur overlays
  • Smart sharpening

The official GIMP tutorials are great for learning the basics and will help you find your way around GIMP’s tools and menus.

3. Flex Your New GIMP Superpowers

GIMP-Tutorials.net

Now that you have the interface down and the basics sussed out, it’s time to have some real fun.

GIMP-Tutorials.net has some well-written and very useful tutorials for different effects, collages, light effects, photo-manipulation, icons and buttons, painting, textures, website layouts, text effects and more.

Definitely the place to start if you’re familiar with GIMP and ready to make some fantastic graphics.

If you want some more fun, try out these other GIMP tutorial sites:

Gimpology

Gimpology has a huge list of user-submitted GIMP tutorials.

Example tutorial: Authentic Vintage Effect

Shadow Logic

Some impressive effects done in GIMP and the tutorials to help you do the same.

Example tutorials: Grunge Brush Pack and Tutorial, Resizing Fade Effect

GIMP Tutorials.com

One of the biggest collections of GIMP tutorials on the web.

GIMP Users

Another huge collection of GIMP tutorials, including video tutorials.

GIMP Plus

Living up to it’s tagline with some high quality GIMP tutorials.

Similar Posts:

  • Share/Bookmark