About Gimp.

GIMP is a freely distributed GNU Image Manipulation Program. Available for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. Its always fun to experiment different techniques and learn how to work with various aspects of GIMP to spice up boring pictures and make them into works of arts and masterpieces.


The text tool.


Use the text tool to add some text. You will get a new text layer which you can also see if you look at the layers dialog. You can use the move tool to move the text where you like to have it. Then merge it with the white layer below by choosing Merge Down from the Layer menu. You should now have one layer with black text on white background. Using <Image> Layer -> Colors -> Invert.


The Gradient Tool.


In the main GIMP toolbox double click on the Fill with a colour gradient.
This opens the Gradient options box, here you are presented with various options for your gradient.
If you click on Gradient a dropdown list of set gradients will appear that you can use for your image. The default is FG to BG (RGB), which we will use here.
Double click on the Foreground colour in the main GIMP toolbox and pick or type in the hexadecimal code for the colour you want in the Change foreground colour option box.
Now double click on the Background colour in the main toolbox and choose the colour you wish to graduate to.

If the gradient is one that you are likely to use frequently click on the Gradient dialogue button on the main toolbox. Right click on the highlighted gradient, FG to BG (RGB) in this case and select Duplicate Gradient.
This opens the Gradient Editor dialogue. Rename the gradient in here and save it. It will now appear on the dropdown list of gradients.

Open the image you wish to apply the gradient to. Click on the Select regions by colour on the main toolbox and select the colour on the image you want to apply the gradient to.
Reselect the Fill with a colour gradient and position the cursor where you wish to start the gradient. Click on the image, hold the mouse button down, move to where you want the gradient to end and release the mouse button.

The image should now have your gradient applied to it. Note that the foreground colour is your start of gradient and the background is your end point. The gradient will go in any direction that you want, experiment with it.

-Adding More Soon.