[GIMP] - How To Make an Abstract Background

Today, we will be making this:

https://www.consolediscussions.com/forum/

First, what you want to do is open a new document with the size of your choice. I will use 300 x 100.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...ewDocument.png

Now, you want to select the Gradient Tool and make sure your FG color is black, and your BG color is white.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...FG-BGColor.png

Now change your blend mode to 'Difference'.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...olSettings.png

Now start stroking in a diagonal direction until you get something like this.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...entStrokes.png

Once your finished, go to Filters>Edge-Detect>Edge and have the same settings as below.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...ctSettings.png

After that, press OK and you should get something like this:

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...DetectPart.png

Now make a new transparent layer (Shift+CTRL+N) and name it 'Color'.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...erSettings.png

Now set the FG & BG colors of your choice. I will use a magenta-ish purple and cyan.

If you don't, make sure your Gradient Tool is still selected and change the blend mode back to 'Normal'.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...lSettings2.png

Now stroke one time horizontally on your 'Color' layer and set the layer mode to 'Screen'. (Hold CTRL to make a straight stroke)

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...deSettings.png

Now you should get something like this.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...ScreenMode.png

Now you need to add a light source.

Make a new transparent layer and name it 'Light Source'.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...ourceLayer.png

Grab the paintbrush, choose the Circle Fuzzy(19) <--- Default brush, and change the Scale to 10.00.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...FuzzyBrush.png

Paint where you want the light source. I suggest in the upper-left corner.
Note: Don't have the entire circle in the picture. Have like the corner of the brush in it.

Now you should have something like this.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...SourcePart.png

Now create your border.

1. Make a new layer above all the layers
2. Select>All
3. Select>Shrink 2px
4. Select>Invert
5. Fill selection with white
6. Change layer mode to 'Overlay'
7. Select>None
8. Filters>Decor>Add Border (Border X size: 1 / Border Y size: 1 / Border color: Black)

And you should have this.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...GFX/Border.png

Woohoo! Your done! You just need to add the text.

https://www.consolediscussions.com/forum/

If you want the text like mine, then read below.

1. Grab the Text Tool (Font: Arial / Size: 16px)
2. Write 'Abstract' as your main-text
3. Make a new layer
4. Grab the Rectangle Select Tool
5. Make a box
6. In the toolbar in the GIMP window, change the size to 9px x 9px.
7. Fill the selection with white
8. Change the layer mode to 'Overlay'
9. Move the box under the main text
10. Add the sub-text right next to the box. (Font: Arial / Size: 12px)
11. Move the box and the sub-text if you have to.