Re: [Gimp-user] How to spice up my background colors

[Liam R E Quin <liam holoweb net>]

On Sat, 2018-06-30 at 06:09 +0200, GerryPeters wrote:
> I'd like to add some variation to some of my backgrounds

If you're comfortable with multiple layers you can use layer masks.
Random noise, gradients, maybe filters/render/plasma, can all be
useful.

If you don't want to use layer masks, here's a slightly easier way to
get started -

1. select the solid background & invert to get the object (or do this
with the object selected)

2. shrink the selection by a pixel or two and feather it by about the
same amount

3. float the selection (control shift L will do this usually)

4. in the layers dialogue, press the new layer button at the bottom.

Now your object is on a separate layer from the background, and you can
do Select None, select the background layer, and paint or fill with
gradiens or use filters as much as you like, and the object will float
blissfully above it all like a giant Buddah over a chain-gang of
stockbrokers.

If you get a halo around the object, you didn't shrink the selection,
or you feathered too mich. If the edges look too sharp, you didn't
feather enough.

i think it helps a lot to practice with layers before working with
layer masks.

The book "The artist's guide to gimp" is also really helpful.


slave liam (ankh)

-- 
Liam Quin - web slave for https://www.fromoldbooks.org/

Click here to watch the slave beaten with nettles.