🎨 How to use GIMP - Beginner Tutorial

In this step-by-step overview, learn how to use GIMP. We start with how to download and install GIMP. We then explore the interface, including the toolbox, tool options, color selection, docks / tabs, and the menu system. Next, we look at all the options to customize the experience, from resizing docks, to turning on or off single window mode, to changing icon colors, and adjusting the theme from dark to light.

We continue by creating a new file and saving it. We then navigate through the canvas using various short cut keys. We then load some sample files, learn about layers, arrange the layers, and apply different opacities. We add text, use the selection tools, align objects, use brushes, filters, and colors. By the end of this video, you'll have foundational knowledge of how to use GIMP to start editing images. And best of all, you'll have your first image created in GIMP… a poster for the Kevin Cookie Company!

👋 Additional resources

⌚ Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
0:53 Download & install GIMP
1:26 Main interface
4:41 Top Menu
6:33 Customize interface
8:14 Create new file
9:38 Save as xcf
10:21 View shortcuts
10:58 Import sample image files
11:24 Layers
13:09 Scale / resize image
14:14 Bucket fill tool
15:34 Opacity
16:32 Selection tools
20:22 Text tools
22:03 Add text drop shadow
22:34 Group layers
23:21 Remove image background
25:52 Flip image
26:20 Alignment tool
26:48 Adjust colors - curves
29:51 Crop tool
31:27 Move text
31:55 Paintbrush tool
34:33 Gaussian Blur
35:13 Export as .png, .jpeg, or .gif
36:07 Wrap up

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#stratvert

[charliehorsenm]

Kevin, I have to hand it to you, you are absolutely THE BEST teacher of these video tools I've ever encountered! I haven't encountered anyone else that I consider to even be in your class. You're instruction method is so thorough and progresses so logically. You also don't just wave your had in the air and say "I just selected the [whatever tool]" you SHOW the student what you are doing on the screen. This helps ENORMOUSLY. Thanks ever so much for your clean, logical, explicit and useful instruction. I think that even a novice like me can now learn to use this tool. Much THANKS again!

[LakeShetek]

You convinced me I don't need photoshop anymore. Thanks!

[grandma_boo]

Not everyone who teaches is a good teacher. I know because my Mother
was a great teacher for decades. Kevin...you're a wonderful teacher!
Your patience, tone of voice, insight..you have it all.
Thanks so much for teaching this old bird the basics ♥

[nelm]

Just downloaded this yesterday, I took a ton of computer arts classes in high school and got pretty darn good at photoshop. Going back to this it was almost intimidating and jarring seeing all the options and tools that were difficult to remember. This was so refreshing, once I saw this video twice and really took in the core essentials to editing I was able to finish a personal project in a day. Reminded me of how much I love graphic designing.

[thecreativemarketingmom]

I've seen quite a few tutorials for beginners and I must say, this is the best I have seen, I appreciate how slow you walk us thru, and how you explain the purpose and what each thing does for your design, especially the curves, the few other videos i've watched they blow thru that and don't explain what it does or how to use it, im so thankful that you created this!

[JRN]

00:09 GIMP is a powerful free and open source image editing program.
05:08 GIMP has various menus to work with images, view, image, layer, colors, tools, filters, windows, and help.
09:58 GIMP's native file format, XCF, preserves layers and other aspects of your work.
14:58 Adding color to the canvas and creating a bottom bar
19:20 Creating and customizing text in GIMP
23:38 Remove the white background and make image adjustments
27:53 Enhanced image editing with subtle changes and logo placement
32:05 Use the paint brush tool to add darkness behind text

[AmsterdamagedHQ]

I've been dreading watching GIMP Tutorials for months. It all seemed soo intimidating. You do an amazing job of making these videos fun and easily digestible. Thank you so much!!

[DaviesMediaDesign]

Glad to see GIMP getting some coverage on other channels! Great program!

[CicilyMarie]

I love this tutorial! Thank you so much! You are very clear, I like how you outline your video before it even begins, especially noting your goals for us by the end. Great content, thank you!

[cats]

Kevin is the best teacher of gimp ever. I been looking for someone who teaches like him. The others I tried to learn with fly all over the place and I am so lost. Kevin takes his time goes slow like I need, I can see everything good. Kevin is top notch teacher. Thank you so much Kevin. You have a skill for teaching that others don't. Omg how appreciated you are by me.

[andrewlim]

Thanks Kevin, I have GIMP for many years. After a frustrating attempt to make some changes to my photos, I decided I must learn GIMP properly. I think this is a most worthwhile 1 hour I spent learning from your youtube video. Your explanation is very clear. Keep it up.

[DamageMaximo]

I've never seen a begginer's guide video as perfect as this, everything about it is 10/10. Thank you.

[mikev]

I don't think I've ever watched such a clear, informative and concise tutorial video. Very well done, and thank you

[chozendorjetamang]

Kevin, I absolutely loved the way how you were so calm and patient throughout the video. You were very detailed and the video could deliver every basics of Gimp, for a "first timer" like me. I hope to see more of your videos. Thank you for putting such an effort!!!

[qormi]

Thank you so much Kevin. I have had Gimp for a long time, but it looked so hard to use. You have made it easier to do something with it now. This seems better than Photoshop.

[Ryuzaki]

I will definitely not be the first to congratulate you for a million but I will definitely congratulate you!

[danwaldspurger]

Kevin, you are the best educator when it comes to instructing others to use technology effectively and creatively. Thank you for all your work and attention to details. I so appreciate you!

[mauridocarmo]

Wow!!! I couldn't wish a better Gimp introduction. Thanks a lot!!!

[tamayomichi]

One of the BEST beginner GIMP tutorial ever. I learned fast, easily. It starts from a blank page and step by step creates a picture. Thank you

[rickeyhargrove]

You are truly gifted as a teacher. Thank you for your thorough, yet easy to follow explanations. Greatly appreciated.