How to Make Your Own Horse Icons

Draw your own horse to use as a personal icon.

Whether you're an equine enthusiast by hobby or profession, show off your love of horses by creating your own horse icons. Icons are small graphical files used to represent software programs and files on your computer; they may also be used online through instant messenger chatting programs, virtual gaming and message boards to represent you to the Internet. Use a software program already included with your computer, Microsoft Paint, to draw free, simple horse icons with just a few quick clicks of your mouse.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Paint

Instructions

1. Open Paint and click "Image," then "Attributes." Icons are small files; for example, the recommended size for Windows XP is 48 by 48 pixels. Input your preferred size dimensions, then click the "OK" button. Click "View," then "Zoom" and choose "Custom." Click the "800%" button, then click "OK;" this gives you more room to draw your horse.

2. Click the "Pencil" tool on the "Tools" palette, then choose a color for the horse's outline from the "Color Picker" at the bottom of the screen. If you don't like any of the colors, double-click any colored box, then choose from a rainbow of hues.

3. Draw the outline of the horse. Click the "Fill" tool, which looks like a tipping paint can, then click inside the horse, which fills with color.

4. Click the "Paintbrush" tool, then choose one of the slash mark brush heads. Choose a paint color for the horse's mane and tail and paint them. Change brush heads to the medium square and select the black paint color (or whatever matches your horse's hooves) and paint on the hooves at the base of the horse's legs.

5. Click the "Pencil" tool again and add the horse's features, such as eyes, teeth, bridle and mouth. Use the "Paintbrush" with the circle brush head to add any colored patches along the horse's body.

6. Add other elements to the icon, such as an apple or some hay for the horse to munch on or a fence behind the horse. (Optional)

7. Click the "Spray Can" icon on the "Tools" palette, then choose the largest whirl option. Choose a paint color, then click your mouse in the white space around the horse. This adds sparkles; change paint colors and add more for a rainbow of sparkles if desired. (Optional)

8. Click the "Text" tool, which looks like a capital "A," then click underneath the horse. Select a font and size, and type your horse's name. (Optional)

Tips & Warnings

• You can use other software products to make horse icons. The Photoshop graphics software included in the Adobe Creative Suite permits you to edit, enhance and layer horse photographs for your icons. If your version of the Microsoft Office Suite includes Publisher, which is a layout and design program, you may be interested in using it to create icons as well.

References

• MSDN: Creating Windows Icons
• Microsoft: Using Paint