How to Make a Mane and Tail on GIMP

Use a gradient color scheme to capture the multi-tonal look of animal hair.

Use GIMP to design, edit and embellish digital graphics. The free program gives you a variety of tools with which to add random embellishments such as a mane and tail. Use GIMP's gradient coloring offerings to create a multi-tonal result, which can be further edited with a blend filter such as Oilify. Make the animal features as realistic or as exaggerated as your preferences dictate.

Instructions

1. Launch GIMP and open the image or workbook you want to add a mane and tail to by clicking File and selecting Open.

2. Click Layer and select New Layer. Select a layer fill type of Transparency and click "OK."

3. Select the Paintbrush tool located in the main toolbox. Click the Brush preview located in the bottom half of the toolbox and click Pencil Sketch. Adjust the size of the brush as needed, by clicking the up or down arrows next to the Scale field.

4. Check the option to Use Color from Gradient. Click the Gradient preview and select Browns for a traditional mane coloring.

5. Double-click and drag your cursor in circular motions where you want a mane to appear in your workbook. Move your cursor to where you want a tail to appear, and double-click and drag your cursor in a linear or slightly-curved fashion to make the tail.

6. Select the Filters tab and click Artistic and then Oilify. A settings dialog will appear. Click "OK" and the filter will take effect, blending your mane and tail into final products.

Tips & Warnings

• Save your animal-enhanced picture by clicking File and selecting Save As.

References

• GIMP: Paintbrush
• GIMP: Oilify
• GIMP: Gradients Dialog

Resources

• GIMP