The Artist's Guide to GIMP: Creative Techniques for Photographers, Artists, and Designers

324 Pages·2012·53.23 MB·English

by  Michael J. Hammel

The Artist’s Guide to GIMP, 2nd Edition

T h e A r T i s T ’ s G u i d e T o G I M P seC
o
N
d
e
d
iT
creative techniques for photographers, artists, and designers | michael j. hammel io
N
The Artist’s Guide to GIMP, 2nd Edition No Starch Press and the No Starch Press logo are registered trademarks of No
Copyright © 2012 by Michael J. Hammel Starch Press, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be
the trademarks of their respective owners. Rather than use a trademark symbol
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in
with every occurrence of a trademarked name, we are using the names only in an
any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
editorial fashion and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of
recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior
infringement of the trademark.
written permission of the copyright owner and the publisher.
The information in this book is distributed on an “As Is” basis, without warranty.
Printed in Korea
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this work, neither
First printing the author nor No Starch Press, Inc. shall have any liability to any person or
entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly
16 15 14 13 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 or indirectly by the information contained in it.
ISBN-10: 1-59327-414-9
ISBN-13: 978-1-59327-414-6
Publisher: William Pollock
Production Editor: Alison Law
Cover Design: Sonia Brown
Cover Illustration: Michael J. Hammel
Interior Design: Octopod Studios
Developmental Editor: Tyler Ortman
Technical Reviewer: Rolf Steinort
Copyeditor: Irene Barnard
Compositor: Susan Glinert Stevens
Proofreader: Paula L. Fleming
Indexer: BIM Indexing & Proofreading Services
For information on book distributors or translations, please contact
No Starch Press, Inc. directly:
No Starch Press, Inc.
38 Ringold Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; [email protected]; www.nostarch.com
The Library of Congress cataloged the first edition as follows:
Hammel, Michael J.
The artist’s guide to GIMP effects : creative techniques for photographers,
artists, and designers / Michael J. Hammel. -- 1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN-13: 978-1-59327-121-3
ISBN-10: 1-59327-121-2
1. Computer graphics. 2. GIMP (Computer file) I. Title.
T385.H329558 2007
006.6’86--dc22
2007001652
This book is dedicated to my wife and creative partner, Brinda,
for waiting patiently each night for me to exit my cave and
join her for an evening viewing of Jon Stewart and South Park.
May we laugh together forever, my dearest love.
About the Author
Michael J. Hammel has been involved with GIMP since
version 0.54 and was a contributor to the early development
of the program. Hammel wrote a column on GIMP for Linux
Format for three years and is the author of The Artists’ Guide to the
GIMP (Frank Kasper & Associates, 1998) and Essential GIMP for
Web Professionals (Prentice Hall PTR, 2001). He is an embedded
software engineer living in Colorado Springs.
About the Technical Reviewer
Rolf Steinort is a science teacher in Berlin, Germany. As an
amateur photographer before autofocus was invented and a
Linux user at the time Tux became its mascot, he is naturally a
longtime GIMP user. Since 2007, he has produced Meet the GIMP
(http://meetthegimp.org/), a video tutorial podcast about GIMP and
other open source graphic programs.
Brief Contents
Acknowledgments ..........................................................................xv 3.5 Simple Logos ......................................................................138
Introduction ..................................................................................xvii 3.6 Icons ..................................................................................143
Tips for Web Design.....................................................................149
1 Fundamental Techniques 1
4 Advertising and Special Effects 151
1.1 Drawing and Painting ............................................................11
1.2 Layers and Modes .................................................................17 4.1 Creative Text Design ............................................................155
1.3 Color Modes .......................................................................24 4.2 3-D Package Designs ...........................................................160
1.4 Selections ............................................................................27 4.3 Reflective Glass ...................................................................167
1.5 Paths ....................................................................................38 4.4 Popping an Image ...............................................................174
1.6 Drawing Basic Shapes ...........................................................41 4.5 Shiny Emblem .....................................................................179
1.7 Patterns and Gradients ..........................................................45 4.6 Wine Bottle ........................................................................185
1.8 Working with Text ................................................................54 4.7 Gears ................................................................................190
1.9 Digital Cameras ....................................................................58 4.8 Cube City ...........................................................................197
1.10 Basic Tutorials .......................................................................62 4.9 Underwater ........................................................................202
4.10 Colored Lighting .................................................................208
2 Photographic Effects 69 4.11 iPod ...................................................................................212
Tips for Advertising and Special Effects ..........................................217
2.1 Soft Focus .............................................................................71
2.2 Photo to Sketch .....................................................................75
5 Type Effects 219
2.3 Antiquing with Sepia Tones ....................................................78
2.4 Color Swap ..........................................................................82 5.1 Chrome and Metal Text ........................................................222
2.5 Changing Depth of Field ........................................................87 5.2 Gel Type ............................................................................231
2.6 Reflections on Glass...............................................................91 5.3 Distressed Text ....................................................................236
2.7 Lake Reflection ......................................................................95 5.4 Frost .................................................................................240
2.8 Photo Restoration ..................................................................99 5.5 Neon Signs .......................................................................246
2.9 Casting Light Through a Window ..........................................105 5.6 Spray Paint .........................................................................251
2.10 Light Streaks .......................................................................109 Tips for Type Effects .....................................................................255
2.11 Miniaturizing a Scene ..........................................................113
Tips for Photographic Effects .........................................................115 6 Creative Inspiration 257
6.1 Fire Girl .............................................................................259
3 Web Design 117
6.2 Star Field ............................................................................266
3.1 Gel Buttons .........................................................................120 6.3 Creamsicle Love .................................................................273
3.2 Metal Buttons ......................................................................125 6.4 Mobsterville ........................................................................280
3.3 Tabs ..................................................................................129
3.4 Website Banners .................................................................134 Index 287