Low Tech Art Tool: GIMP Tracing

I'm no deft hand at web artistry.

In no small part due to my mediocre skills at digital art. See my previous post for Exhibit A.

However, when I want to create a quick and easy digital drawing, I turn to the free and open-source software known as the GNU Image Manipulation Program, or GIMP for short.

Now GIMP can be used to create images from scratch, like a scaled-up Microsoft Paint. Or it can be used to touch up an existing image like Photoshop. But the method I really like GIMP for is what I call tracing.

In short, I follow these steps.

1) Load a picture into GIMP

2) Create a new transparent layer over the image, then trace an outline

3) Trace out more details in the interior of the image

4) Fill in colors and add any additional touches

5) Delete the original photo and export the image

Voila! You've just created your own cartoon image that looks half ways decent and didn't require an art degree!

Some quick, closing tips:

Use larger images if possible, for better final resolution.
Use the color picker tool to pull out desired colors from the original image.
Use the shift key to draw straight lines.

Draw out the power of GIMP wisely. And beware the goose.

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