[Demented]

If you'll upload a plain sketch, I'll see if I can figure out a good method for coloring it.

[Rab Smith]

Here we go, Demented:



Here's an inking I aim to color very soon; if I can upgrade to .xcf method first it will help [I've been using JPG up until now, but the picture degrades.....how do I get this image into .xcf format first?




Yes, I know how to clean up the image by eraser first........ I also know how to make sure the black lines are kept on top.

Somewhat unusually, the color lines here were painted in by brush.....this does actually work, but now I use GIMP for altering the color in black lines instead.

Ideally, I would like an elaborate shaft of light in the background, to suggest Heaven.


How do I avoid the dreaded 'white specks' in JPG scans? [They're painful when seen in close-up].


POSTSCRIPT: I worked out how to use the clone-tool: great for covering up unsightly white specks!

This post has been edited by Rab Smith: 01 August 2011 - 06:08 PM

[Griatch]

Converting to XCF is simple enough, just "save as" xcf format (give your file an ending .xcf) and you will henceforth work on the xcf. XCF will not help you if the original image is already messy of course, but subsequent saves will be lossless (same is true for saving in PNG by the way, but only XCF will remember GIMP's layers etc). In the end use "save a copy" to export to jpg, png or what have you.

In your example, it's really quite easy to add in a background instead of the white areas. I would do like this to colour this image:

• Create new layer over your black outlines. Set its mode to "multiply".
  
• On the new layer, paint away using your choice of brush etc. You will find that your black outlines will survive the treatment. If you want to do changes to the black lines, you can do that later, for now, let's move on to the background.
  
• Merge the colour layer you did down into the outline layer. You now have one layer of coloured comic with a white background.
  
• Add an alpha channel to this layer. This is done from the layer list by right clicking on the layer and selecting Add alpha channel. The alpha channel allows the layer to have transparency (JPG does not handle transparency, which is why it was probably turned off from the onset). If you cannot add an alpha channel (option is greyed out), it means you already have one. Rejoice and move on.
  
• Use the colour select tool to select the white areas. Alternatively you could also try with the area select tool since it looks like you have lots of connected white there. This works best with very sharp edges. In the case of brush outlines (which will have gradients) you will probably need to tweak the threshold of the resepective select tool. You might also want to complement your selection afterwards (shift-select) if you don't get all white you expected.
  
• Press Delete. The white will be gone, replaced with a greyish checker-pattern indicating it's just "transparent".
  
• Add a new, white layer below your previous layer. You will look through the transparent areas to this layer, as if you were looking through a plastic sheet with only your foreground painted on it. Since the lower layer is also white things will now look the way they did before. The exception is that your foreground and background now are on separate layers and you can add you background to the lower layer as you please without disturbing your foreground.

If you are unsure about using the selections and tools mentioned, I recommend you go through our Beginner's GIMP tutorial, it covers all these basic features such as layers, modes and selections. You can find the tutorial here: http://www.gimptalk....-for-new-users/

Good luck!
.
Griatch

[Rab Smith]

Thank you very much for your in-depth assistance, Griatch.....I will copy this detail down and attempt an actual layered cartoon.

I can work on one layer, but it's sometimes a bit clumsy.

It's maybe because all my works have so far been on Jpeg that I haven't quite solved the layers approach as yet....I will persevere, though, and switch over fully to .xcf.


I willl add the upcoming results on here soon.

This post has been edited by Rab Smith: 04 August 2011 - 07:49 AM

[Demented]

JPGs are fine for a lot of things, but I would avoid using them for high-quality images like comics or paintings. JPG tends to look worse and worse each time you save. You might want to switch over to using PNG instead.

Anyway, sorry about taking so long. I just now saw the replies in here. I'll get to work right away, although Griatch's method might be perfect for you.

This post has been edited by Demented: 04 August 2011 - 09:22 AM

[Demented]

There are typos, I know. Shut up. This only covers the basics of how to use the programs and work with the files. It doesn't cover any creative work like coloring techniques or variable line width.Well fuck. I accidentally called you "Rob" instead of "Rab". Sorry.

This post has been edited by Demented: 04 August 2011 - 11:54 AM

[Demented]

Crap, I just realized I messed up. You can only use the 'black to add, white to subtract' method of outline refining if you're not coloring or shading. This is because the top layer of white and black marks would cover the color as well as the outline.

I guess if you're going to color it too, you have to just use an eraser and make direct changes to the outline layer. That's the simplest way. Just be careful you don't mess anything up too much, as you don't have the extra protection of a separate layer.

I know there a lot of mistakes, but I'm not fixing them today. I'm finishing up something else that's due tomorrow.

Also, I forgot to add a step. You erase the excess color on the color layer too. In the image, I let it spill out into big blobs outside the lines because I wanted to show the layer order more clearly. Usually, you want to stay inside the lines.

This post has been edited by Demented: 04 August 2011 - 02:08 PM

[Rab Smith]

Thanks for all this wide-reaching info, Demented; those cloud formations look especially cool!

There is a lot for me to take in here, but I will certainly have a good attempt or three at the steps so lucidly explained by yourself and Griatch.......overall I am pleased with the advances I am gradually taking within GIMP, but these accursed layers have yet to be conquered!

I will report back when I color this image, ideally done on at least two layers.

[Rab Smith]

Slowly but surely, I am getting the hang of GIMP, and the journey has been well worth the patience and effort. After struggling a bit in the early weeks, my artwork has improved rapidly, thanks to sandwiching the color behind the black-line top layer, and using the 'save as xcf' mode [thanks, Griatch!] which means consistent quality [colors were running using RGB only].

Here's what I am up to these days using GIMP:





I am very pleased with this, it has a storybook/pro-level comic-strip look to it.


I am no master, though, and still have to learn a few tricks using GIMP; -----can anyone help me on the following embellishments:


SHADOWS UNDERNEATH THE CHARACTERS: how can I add diffused shadows, that look indistinct and blurry? [I know how to add layers now]


INTENSITY OF FLAMES FROM THE DRAGON: The flames here look OK, but can I do an overlay to make them more intense and glowing, without having to add a filter layer which can darken the rest of the image?



Many thanks in advance if anyone can assist on these two improvements.

This post has been edited by Rab Smith: 31 January 2012 - 10:11 AM

[Rab Smith]

OK, here's the next dilemma---this next image is practically complete, but to finish it off, I'd like to add the words 'BIG BERTHA' so they look like the have been carved out of metal into the barrel of the largest cannon-barrel------hopefully this can be done in GIMP, can anyone advise on this one, please?

This post has been edited by Rab Smith: 21 February 2012 - 10:28 PM

[Rab Smith]

Firstly, I would like to state that GIMP is exceeding my wildest dreams, and after an admittedly confusing start as I struggled to grasp the basics, I now regard it as a superior, very helpful tool that has transformed my outlook regarding completing cartoon artwork.


I have sold some work using many techniques available via GIMP, from simple eraser clean-up, right through to full-colour professional artwork and file conversion.

However I have a lot to master yet, and I hope someone can help me with this latest piece:


This satirical cartoon requires a background reminiscent of vintage animations, and the central characters will be overlayed a chaotic, stylized background.......I know how to 'cut around' the area to be superimposed using the lassoo tool [this works fine as long as you zoom in close while doing this]:


----but, is there a way I can import the clouds/star background as a new layer, and can I 'drop' this already prepared background in?

If so, what's the procedure, please?


Here's hoping someone can help!



Firstly, the foreground characters:







Next, here's the 'Tom and Jerry' -inspired background I intend to use---can I use this as another layer, and if so, how do I import it, so I can use it as a background?




cheers, Rab.

This post has been edited by Rab Smith: 03 July 2012 - 05:52 PM

[Kasami]

You kind of answered your own question. Open one of them and then from the File menu choose "Open as Layers" what this does is let you select one or more extra images to be added to the original image. Each image will be in a seperate layer.

Cheers,
Kasami

[ofnuts]

Rab Smith, on 03 July 2012 - 05:46 PM, said:

Firstly, I would like to state that GIMP is exceeding my wildest dreams, and after an admittedly confusing start as I struggled to grasp the basics, I now regard it as a superior, very helpful tool that has transformed my outlook regarding completing cartoon artwork.


I have sold some work using many techniques available via GIMP, from simple eraser clean-up, right through to full-colour professional artwork and file conversion.

However I have a lot to master yet, and I hope someone can help me with this latest piece:


This satirical cartoon requires a background reminiscent of vintage animations, and the central characters will be overlayed a chaotic, stylized background.......I know how to 'cut around' the area to be superimposed using the lassoo tool [this works fine as long as you zoom in close while doing this]:


----but, is there a way I can import the clouds/star background as a new layer, and can I 'drop' this already prepared background in?

If so, what's the procedure, please?

Your first problem is to properly remove the background of the first image. Here is a technique that works well:
- select the "magic wand" tool
- use a standard threshold (15)
- click on the background where it's fully white, this will select most of it
- shift-click on some isolated parts of the BG to add them to the selection (under Hitler's right arm, and between right arm and helmet of the baby)
- "Select/Grow" selection by one pixel
- "Colors/Color to alpha" and use white, and your background disappears, leaving you with nicely cut out characters (and the flying teeth are still white)

Why this works (and why most other techniques won't give good results) is explained here.

Then use "File/Open as layers" to load the T&J background, and drag it below the other one.

This post has been edited by ofnuts: 04 July 2012 - 11:43 AM

[Rab Smith]

Thanks a lot, guys---I'm off to try your tops now!

I'll post the results on this page soon........


cheers, Rab.