How to Get a Skin Tone Color on GIMP

You can think of the color picker as a dropper that can suck up and replicate colors off of a picture.

The GNU Image Manipulation Program, or GIMP, is a free application that allows its users to alter their digital images. You can change the size of a picture, alter its orientation and even change the color. Altering the color of an image can be difficult as you have to customize each shade with sliders and bars. If you are trying to match something specific, like skin tones, this can be hard to manage. Luckily, GIMP has a color picker that allows you to cheat.

Instructions

1. Launch GIMP and click "Open" from the "File" menu. Browse to the location of the image you wish to edit and double-click on it.

2. Browse through your collection of images and find a color picture of a human with skin. You'll find that an alien with skin will not work as well as they tend to be greenish, and a human without skin is far to pale.

3. Click 'File" from the GIMP window and click "Open." Browse to the location of the image you located that contains proper skin tones and double-click it. It will open in a second image window in GIMP.

4. Select the image that contains your desired skin tones. Click "Tools" and select "Color Picker" to activate the tool.

5. Click the image over the color of skin you wish to replicate. The color picker will open an options window upon your click. Select "Add to Palette" and click the image of the floppy disk.

6. Select the original image you wish to add skin tones to and you'll find your desired color already selected in your palette.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a copy of your original image before making edits. If you aren't pleased with your final product you'll still have the original to go back to.

References

• GIMP Tutorials: Color Picker