This tutorial, like some others around here, uses GIMP to make images.  I know there are some of you that cringe when you hear that program name, but in all reality GIMP is the best free image manipulation software that is out there.  The quality can't be found anywhere else, except in programs such as Adobe Photoshop CS3 and a few others, all of which you pretty much have to pay to use.  So like I said,  unless GIMP screwed your brother out of a job or something, try and put those angry thoughts past you and give GIMP another try, eh?

Lesson One: Avatars
Avatars are the most demanded images on ComNet right now.  Just about everyone wants them, problem is not everyone knows how to make them or nobody wants to spend the time figuring it out on their own.  In this tutorial I hope to help you out with making your own avvie magic.

1) If you don't have GIMP, then get it.  Link is here: GIMP DOWNLOAD

2) If you don't have the layer effect, "Script-fu", then you might want it.  Link is here: http://registry.gimp.org/files/layerfx.scm

NOTE: If you get the Script-Fu Layer Effect, make sure you save it in your Scripts file in GIMP on your computer.  Then you'll have to close out of GIMP and reopen it again to use Script-fu.

3) Pick an image.  This is the easiest part.  When picking an image, it is important to visualize how that image will look as a smaller, condensed avatar.  Also make sure that your image has decent quality, stand-alone.  One less thing you have to worry about.  Today I'll be using Storm from X-men.



4) Clean it up.  Use the Van Gogh filter set on 1 or 2, then sharpen it up again (sharpness, about 35 or so depending on preference)

FILTERS>ARTISTIC>VAN GOGH
FILTERS>ENHANCE>SHARPEN

So far:


Better, right?  Even if you don't think so (or if you just don't see the changes) don't worry about it.  The bottom one is brighter, clearer, and prettier than the first.

5) Crop it.  Using your TOOLBOX select the Rectangle Select Tool all the way at the top left hand corner.  Use that tool to crop your picture, and once you do that go into Image and then Crop to Selection.

TOOLBOX>RECTANGLE SELECT
IMAGE>CROP TO SELECTION

So far:


There.  Pity that we had to cut some of it, but that's the way it works.  How much you want to crop is up to you; I like busts (head and neck) but some people prefer full body pictures.  Again, up to you.

6) Scale it.  Easiest part of the whole thing.  Go to Image, then select Scale Image, and make it 100 width by 120 hight. (if the chain image to the right of them is not broken, you may have to click on it to change each dimension seperately.)

So far:


7) Add a boarder.  There is an actual filter for that, but I like to use my own methods.  Usually I go to File and make a new project that has 100x120 dimensions with a transparant background, then I crop the inside of the image so that there is a 10x10 strip around the edge.  Then I use FILTER>DECOR>ADD BEVEL to give the boarder a 3D look.  Then just copy and paste it onto the origional picture.

However, with this particular picture I don't think a boarder would be prudent.  Her nose goes pretty much to the top and would be cut off.  So, I'll use a few tricks with transparancy.  Just use the crop tricks I showed you on a much smaller level.

So far:

or


That's it.  Personally I like the second one better.  Adding text is a whole other tutorial in and of itself.

In the next lesson I'll show you how to get your avatar to look like this:

Lesson Three: Drawing, Scanning, and Coloring
This lesson is meant to aid you in bringing your own art to life.  By drawing your artwork, scanning it onto your computer, and using Gimp to color it in.  By the end of this tutorial, your pictures should look professionally colored- and will be the envy of all your photoshop friends.

1) For this tutorial you will need a drawing of your own work, a scanner , and the standard version of Gimp.

2) Draw your picture.  Draw your picture on white paper within the 8 1/2 x 11 inches of a standard sheet of computer paper.  Make sure to use pencil first.  After your pencil drawing is complete go over that in BLACK pen. 

3) Scan your picture.  Read the instruction manual that came with your printer on scanning pictures (if you don't already know).  Once you have your picture, I recommend that you save it in an easy to find location before opening it on Gimp.  If you have a scanner like I do (HP Solution) then you may need to get a screen shot (Prnt Screen button on your keyboard) and copy it to Microsoft Paint before you can save it.

4) Open on Gimp.  Simply open up your picture that you scanned and saved on your computer.  I'm going to show you my picture that I drew up for the occasion. 

FILE>OPEN

So far:


5) Color.  READ THIS PART CAREFULLY!  Now we get to color our creation.  You need to select the paint brush tool to color in your art.  This may take some time, but at the end it will look good (I promise).  Double click on the paint brush icon to open up its settings.  Set the OPACITY to 50% (so that you don't color over the black lines), and the size of the brush to whatever size you are comfortable with using without coloring out of the lines.  Next choose your color (double click on the larger of the colored boxes in your tool box to change colors)  Then, ZOOM IN TO 200 or 400% on the picture.  (I prefer 400%).  Then, once you have done all of that....take your brush and BY HOLDING IN THE LEFT CLICK BUTTON ON THE MOUSE color in your picture.  DO NOT RELEASE THE LEFT BUTTON on the mouse until you are done coloring in the space- or if you have to, do not overlap what you have already colored in.  Because you have set the opacity to 50%, anything you color over that has already been filled will be darker.

PAINTBRUSH TOOL>OPACITY=50%>COLOR>ZOOM=400%

So far:


6) Fixing your mistakes.  Everyone makes mistakes.  In the first of the two pictures below you may notice that I have overlapped colors on the yellow hilt of the bottom portion of my longsword.  If you can see it, great- if you can't.. look harder.  It may not look like much, but in the final stages of this tutorial it will matter.  To fix this we simply take the smudge tool, shape it to a good size in our 400% zoom mode, and by clicking on a normally shaded area and dragging it into the infected area we can blend the colors to a uniform shade.

SMUDGE TOOL>50 SIZE

Before:


During:


After:


7) Working the Magic.  Once you've finished, coloring your entire picture- you can sit back and relax, because Gimp will do all the rest.  Simply go to your filters, scroll down to Artistic, and select Cartoon.  Set it to as light or dark as you want, and vwala: automatic shading.

FILTERS>ARTISTIC>CARTOON

Finished before and after "Cartoon Filter"


The inspiration from this tutorial actually came from a card game that I am making.  See:

Any chance of more tutorials?

It sucks by most people's standards, but I made this one in about a half-hour using only your tutorial, Ron.  Thanks!