INTERMEDIATE BANNER TUTORIAL
Gimp can be confusing and overwhelming at first, so I decided to make a guide to help you understand how the tools work. Below is a chart with numbered tool icons. Just find the number for the icon on this page, and there will be a description of how it works. Note: the bold numbers are not special tools, just a way to make the table easier to read.
Create a new layer.
Choose a stock/image to base your banner on.
Create a new layer under the one with the image on it by clicking on the bottom, original layer and creating a new one from there. Then, you may either make a background on your own or find one on the internet. To make on on your own, you may use various brushes (go to DeviantArt.com and search for "GIMP Brushes") and colors. I'm going to make one. First, I'll use a nice, white foil brush.
Then, I'm going to create another layer below the white foil brush layer and add some yellow. This will complement the Psyduck's color.
Continue adding layers and using different brushes until you've developed a good basic background.
Now, go to the layer with the Psyduck on it. Copy the Psyduck by selecting it and pressing "Ctrl + C". Create a layer directly behind the Psyduck, and paste a few copies of it in a row. Then, make that layer semi-transparent by adjusting the opacity bar. (right below the tab menu.)
Now, you can move the brushed layers around in front or behind the new layer to blend it better.
Now, it's time to add text. This is completely optional. If you don't want to add text, skip to the last step. If you're adding text, then you have a few options. You can add fancy text (see the Cool Text tutorial.) or you can use basic text, which can be used to give the banner a cool yet simple look. I'm going to use basic text. First, I choose a color. I'm going to make it the same shade of blue as the background.
Right now, the words are hard to read. So, I'm going to use the same font and make the text again, but in white and behind the original blue text. This time, the font will be a few sizes bigger. Although it doesn't make a big difference, it does have an impact on how the banner looks.
Now, simply add a border (optional) by zooming in, and selecting a region of one pixel on each edge of the banner, then filling that area in black.
I prefer it without the border. To get a softer look, I decided to go back and change the transparency of the original Psyduck layer, so here is my final outcome.
