How to create image outlines using GIMP

[MBeattie]

For all of you beginners out there (me included), I've found the tutorials and practice pages from the Airbrush Tutor of immense help. After I'd done the eye a few times, I thought I'd like to try some new images. Being creatively challenged I need more hints for perspective and form. I tried stencil cutting (and indeed you may need them some of the time) but I found I had to make just a hint of image to avoid the hard artificial edges. Also, being impatient, I wanted something quicker than cutting a stencil.


I found it using GIMP. GIMP is an open-source (free - download from www.gimp.org) image manipulation program which is similar to PhotoShop. With it, you can quickly take an image, crop, size and edit it to create a very faint outline (a la the eye) of the image you want to practice. You can select the print size and print it for practice. If you are happy airbrushing on computer paper for practice, you are done.


Here are the steps:
1. Using GIMP, open the source picture you want to airbrush. Gimp works with many image formats.
2. Using the Crop tool (looks like an exacto knife), trim the image to the dimensions you want.
3. From the image menu, resize the image to fit on your screen.
4. Add a new layer and with the layer window, move it beneath your main image. This will be the background of your line drawing.
5. Select the foreground color and make it white. Make sure the new layer is selected and use the bucket-fill tool and fill the new layer white. You'll have to use the eye icon in the layer window to turn off visibility of your main image to see this lower layer.
6. Turn back on the layer visibility of your main image.
7. (Optional step) Use the layer copy to duplicate your main image. Then use the Color menu item to "desaturate" the image giving you a gray scale layer to use for reference if you are just practicing in monochrome.
8. Create a new blank layer. This will be the layer your line image will be drawn on (like tracing paper). This is currently transparent and you will be looking at either your gray-scale or original image in the background.
9. Make sure the new blank layer is the one selected, then using the Path tool (looks like an ink pen), start clicking around the edges of the parts of the image you want to "trace". Using the path tool is nice because you can move the anchors, drag the line and tweek the bevels as much as you need. You can magnify your view if necessary.
10. Once you have a path the way you want it (it does not have to return to the beginning), click on the foreground color area and change the color to a faint gray. (Note - if the color is too dark you can lighten it later).
11. Using the Edit menu use "Stroke Path". You will be given an option as to how many pixels wide the stroke should be. I use 2.
12. Now you should see the stroke line on top of your image. Select any other tool and the path anchors will disappear. Go to the layer window and turn off the view of all layers except your drawing path layer and the white background. And there you are.


If, once you see your line drawing, you want more detail, just turn on your image, MAKE SURE YOUR PATH LAYER IS SELECTED, make the additional path(s) and stroke them.


I know it seems like a lot of steps, but it's really pretty straightforward once you've done one. Also, in comparison to stencilling, if you come up with something really neat, you can share it.


I suggest you save your files in the native GIMP format so that all layers are preserved for later.


Before you print your image, go to the Image menu and adjust the Print Size which can be adjusted by a number of scale types (cm, in, etc.).


If you want to practice on larger formats than your printer can handle and don't mind a little trimming and pasting, export your image to jpg format. Then go to blockposters.com (also free), upload your image and select the poster size you want. The site will create a pdf file with multiple pages (2x2, 3x3, etc) containing your now expanded image. Print it, trim the appropriate edges, paste and/or tape.


I've passed the first muster and can upload. Example images are further down the thread.

 

[donec]

Hi mBeattie, I'm not sure what you are getting at. Are you saying to create a line drawing that you can paint over as a guide while learing?

 

[MBeattie]

Essentially, yes. You'll create something similar to what the Airbrush Tutor provides with his practice pages. Basically, you are creating an electronic line tracing for the essential areas you need in your picture. You then can print out a faint line drawing (tracing) which you can then paint. You can make it as light or dark, as simple or extensive as you need.

 

[Tigertron]

Good tip. It's quick and easy. I'll have to try it.

 

[MBeattie]

Baby alligator example

I think my permissions allow uploading. Here is an example.



The first is a barely visible GIMP path outline then color (original) and desaturated reference pictures.

 

[markjthomson]

Just downloaded it and did some learning... lo read here mistakes and re do! The stroke made the system crash so I ended up using a pen function to rough it out - seemed to work OK for a first trial. Will muck around a bit more with it and see how it goes.

 

[ad fez]

Another way is in photo shop.....import your reference.......open the tab called filters........apply the "photocopy" filter

 

[ad fez]

Whoops pressed enter too soon.....after applying filter you will see 2 slide bars.....one for detail, one for darkness......set detail to max and darkness somewhere between 3 and 18 clocks dependent

 

[ad fez]

Clicks rather......dependent on darkness.........print that.......using graphite trace down paper trace image on to board.........wollop!

 

[sriddy]

Here's a faster, simpler way to make a line drawing out of a photo in GIMP:

1) Open photo, then desaturate image (on colors menu, turns image greyscale)
2) Duplicate layer (in the layers window)
3) Set mode of top layer to dodge (top of layers window)
4) Invert top layer (on colors menu). Image should be white
5) Gaussian blur (on filters->blur menu) the top layer. Play with blur radius until you get the effect you're looking for

 

[splasha]

All sounds like a good way to create an outline !
Thanks for sharing such great info, guys!

 

[MeeshellMP]

Thanks for making this thread! Sonmuxh awesome info!!

 

[SilverScreen]

Thank you. I think I woukd add a some more lines, refering the aligator line drawing. --- For a Stencil a single line make no sense, the paint can't go thru, so at every single line, I would offset and connect the two by small lines or curves. So the Stencil can draw a line. The outline looks allright, though there are islands in islands in stencil terms. The logic the Stencil must follow need a bit of hands on. I still rather would hand trace, from my experience of how and where. I must agrea Im'e surprised it can be automated down to so few lines and true, the 3 stencils covering the eye, can be used in a stencil, there are some logic.