As a full-featured, free alternative to Adobe Photoshop, GIMP is one of the world's most popular open source projects. The latest version of GIMP (2.8) brings long-awaited improvements and powerful new tools to make graphic design and photo manipulation even easier—but it's still a notoriously challenging program to use.The Artist's Guide to GIMP teaches you how to use GIMP without a tedious list of menu paths and options. Instead, as you follow along with Michael J. Hammel's step-by-step instructions, you'll learn to produce professional-looking advertisements, apply impressive photographic effects, and design cool logos and text effects. These extensively illustrated tutorials are perfect for hands-on learning or as templates for your own artistic experiments.After a crash course in GIMP's core tools like brushes, patterns, selections, layers, modes, and masks, you'll learn:

A collection of carefully selected, practical tutorials designed to show the artist in all of us how to leverage the power of GIMP. Covers GIMP 2.8. . GIMP is the #1 Photoshop alternative with millions of users. Big changes to the program mean readers will need new books. GIMP books are perennial sellers, moving tens of thousands of copies. GIMP is a slow-moving project, book will stay current for years. 4-color throughout, unique landscape format praised by readers. Author is a GIMP contributor

IntroductionChapter 1: Fundamental Techniques 1.1 Drawing and Painting 1.2 Layers and Modes 1.3 Color Modes 1.4 Selections 1.5 Paths 1.6 Drawing Basic Shapes 1.7 Patterns and Gradients 1.8 Working with Text 1.9 Digital Cameras 1.10 Basic TutorialsChapter 2: Photographic Effects 2.1 Soft Focus 2.2 Photo to Sketch 2.3 Antiquing with Sepia Tones 2.4 Color Swap 2.5 Changing Depth of Field 2.6 Reflections on Glass 2.7 Lake Reflection 2.8 Photo Restoration 2.9 Casting Light Through a Window 2.10 Light Streaks 2.11 Miniaturize a Scene Tips for Photographic EffectsChapter 3: Web Design 3.1 Gel Buttons 3.2 Metal Buttons 3.3 Tabs 3.4 Website Banners 3.5 Simple Logos 3.6 Icons Tips for Web DesignChapter 4: Advertising and Special Effects 4.1 Creative Text Design 4.2 3-D Package Designs 4.3 Reflective Glass 4.4 Popping an Image 4.5 Shiny Emblem 4.6 Wine Bottle 4.7 Gears 4.8 Cube City 4.9 Underwater 4.10 Colored Lighting 4.11 iPod Tips for Advertising DesignChapter 5: Type Effects 5.1 Chrome and Metal Text 5.2 Gel Type 5.3 Distressed Text 5.4 Frost 5.5 Neon Signs 5.6 Spray Paint Tips for Type EffectsChapter 6: Creative Inspiration 6.1 Fire Girl 6.2 Star Field 6.3 Creamsicle Love 6.4 Mobsterville