How to Make a Bug in GIMP

Gimp is good for all kinds of things. Making your own graphics is fun and can be fulfilling because you are learning new things while you do it! Here is how you make a bug in GIMP. Open Gimp and start a new project. Make it 2000 X 1500.
Part 1 of 4:

Making the Insect Head

  1. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 1How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 1
    Open Gimp and start a new project. Make it 2000 X 1500.
  2. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 2How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 2
    Create a new layer. It needs to be 500 X 500 and transparent.
  3. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 3How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 3
    Click on the ellipse icon and in the square layer, create a circle. Be sure you are in the correct layer when you do that.
  4. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 4How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 4
    Select the gradient icon with the following settings:
    1. FG to BG (RGB)
    2. Radial
    3. Be sure that the background is black.
    4. Make the foreground red.
  5. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 5How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 5
    Start the gradient in the upper left hand corner of the 500 X 500 square layer. Drag it to the lower right side of the square.
  6. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 6How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 6
    Go to Filters >> Distorts >> Mosaic...
  7. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 7How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 7
    Change the settings to the following:
    1. Tiling Primitives: Hexagon
    2. Tile size: 15.0
    3. Tile height: 10.0
    4. Tile spacing: 1.0
    5. Tile neatness: 1.00
    6. Light direction: 135.0
    7. Color variation: 0.00
    8. Check Antialiasing and FG/BG lighting.
    9. Make sure the other 3 are unchecked.
  8. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 8How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 8
    Give the eye some depth. Do this by going to Filters >> Distort >> IWarp. Use the following settings:
    1. Deform Mode: Grow
    2. Deform Radius: 175
    3. Deform Amount: 1.00
    4. Be sure that Bilinear is checked.
  9. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 9How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 9
    Click three times in the center of the eye. Then press OK.
  10. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 10How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 10
    Duplicate the layer.
  11. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 11How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 11
    Click on the Move icon and move the other eye so that it is exactly beside the first one.
  12. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 12How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 12
    Put the two eyes on the same layer. Right click on the top layer and select Merge Down.
  13. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 13How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 13
    Go to Select >> None to deselect the eyes.
  14. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 14How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 14
    Click on the eyes, select the Alignment tool, then click on the horizontal center, then the vertical center. However, instead of Relative to: First item, select Image.
  15. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 15How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 15
    Add a new layer. This time, it can be the full size of the project, 2000 X 1500. Be sure that it is transparent.
  16. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 16How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 16
    Make sure that Show Guides is enabled. Go to View >> Show Guides and make sure that it is checked.
  17. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 17How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 17
    Click on the ruler that you see at the top of the Gimp desktop and pull down guidelines. Do this three times and place them as you see in the screenshot. Do likewise with the ruler on the left side for the vertical guidelines.
  18. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 18How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 18
    Click on the Path tool and do the following:
    1. Find the center of the left eye and then click on the guideline directly above the eye at that point.
    2. Go to the point where the eye meets the guideline as shown in the screenshot.
    3. Continue clicking on the guidelines as shown in the screenshot.
    4. Find the center of the right eye and clicking on the guideline above it, as shown.
  19. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 19How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 19
    Finish the path by selecting the points as shown in the screenshot. Finish the last point by hitting Enter.
  20. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 20How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 20
    Click on the top center line and pull down until it is slightly below the bottom guideline above the eyes.
  21. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 21How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 21
    Repeat for the bottom center line, as well. Press Enter to lock in the change.
  22. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 22How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 22
    Fill the created path with white.
  23. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 23How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 23
    Go to Select >> Shrink and reduce the selection by 5 pixels. Fill that with black.
  24. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 24How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 24
    Deselect the shape by going to Select >> None.
  25. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 25How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 25
    Get rid of the guidelines by dragging them off of the screen.
  26. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 26How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 26
    Look at the color swatches and have the foreground as white and the background a light blue.
  27. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 27How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 27
    Click on the Gradient tool and be sure that the 'shape' is linear.
  28. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 28How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 28
    At the top center of the screen, click and drag down a short way. Release the mouse key. This will fill the background with a blue/white gradient.
  29. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 29How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 29
    Select the eraser tool. Be sure that you have selected the brush with hardness of 100. Set the size to be 800 pixels.
  30. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 30How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 30
    Be sure that you are on the top layer. Set the Eraser brush so that it covers the eyes as shown. Do this for both sides. What this does is have eyes that aren't quite perfectly round.
  31. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 31How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 31
    Add bristles to the top of the 'head'. Do this by selecting the Smudge tool. Set the brush for 50px, and select the Bristles 02 brush.
  32. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 32How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 32
    At the top of the head, just inside the edge of the black, press and hold the mouse button and pull it straight out. Do this all the way around, except for where the eyes are. After all, your insect doesn't want hair in its eyes.
    1. Here is where you should be at this point.
  33. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 33How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 33
    Add more bristles in between the eyes. Change the foreground to a light brown. Select the airbrush tool and, still using the bristles 02 brush, draw alongside the eyes in the black. Do this on both sides and fill in the center just a bit. Do this also below that area as you see in the screenshot.
  34. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 34How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 34
    Change the foreground to white and, still using the airbrush, paint a little bit of white on top of the brown.
  35. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 35How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 35
    Change back to the smudge tool and smudge the white and black together. Also, smudge the small bit of brown at the bottom.
  36. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 36How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 36
    Zoom in closer to the bottom of the eyes for the next step.
  37. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 37How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 37
    Add a guideline just below the eyes. You will be making fangs for your insect.
  38. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 38How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 38
    Select the path tool again, and create a fang as you see in the screenshot.
  39. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 39How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 39
    Select the leftmost line of the fang and pull it away from the center. Repeat the same with the other side of the fang.
  40. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 40How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 40
    Fill the fang with black. Select the paint bucket tool and be sure that Fill whole selection is marked.
  41. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 41How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 41
    Reduce the selection by 2 by going to Select >> Shrink and change it to 2.
  42. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 42How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 42
    Change your tool to the gradient tool and with the colors still black and white, add a gradient to the reduced selection.
  43. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 43How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 43
    Repeat the process for the second fang.
  44. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 44How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 44
    Make the antenna. To do this, select the paths tool again and create an antenna like you see in the screenshot.
  45. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 45How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 45
    Follow the same pattern as before. Fill with black and reduce by 5 this time.
  46. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 46How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 46
    Add another layer and be sure that it is transparent. It can be the same size at 2000 X 1500.
  47. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 47How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 47
    Apply a gradient to the antenna in this layer. Take it from the bottom up when creating the gradient.
  48. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 48How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 48
    Change the mode from Normal to Dissolve and reduce the capacity to 50%.
  49. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 49How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 49
    Deselect the gradient and then merge this layer with the one directly below it.
  50. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 50How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 50
    Repeat the process to create the other antenna. It's ok if they aren't identical. Here is what it should look like at this point.
Part 2 of 4:

Making the Insect Wings

  1. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 51How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 51
    Add a new layer. Make sure it is transparent and the same size as everything else.
  2. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 52How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 52
    Add 3 guidelines as seen in the screenshot.
  3. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 53How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 53
    Using the paths tool, start just left of the left fang, up to the top guideline to the left of the antenna, down to the next guideline, then back to NEAR the start point.
  4. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 54How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 54
    Press Enter to finish the wing's initial shape.
  5. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 55How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 55
    Select the 'top' line and give it some bend. Do this with all three of the longer lines.
  6. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 56How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 56
    Add a linear gradient to the wings. Do it from the top to the center guideline. Be sure that the foreground is white and the background is black.
  7. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 57How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 57
    Repeat for the other wing.
  8. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 58How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 58
    Add the wing demarcation. Select the paintbrush, a hardness of 100 and a width of 2. Draw in lines similar to what you see in the screenshot.
  9. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 59How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 59
    Duplicate the layer.
  10. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 60How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 60
    Select the Scale icon, then click in the middle of your insect. It doesn't matter where. There will be a grid on your screen.
  11. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 61How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 61
    Start adjusting your wings. To move everything, be sure to use the handles at the top center and side center. Do this for the size.
    1. Once you have the size right and approximate location, click on the gold circle in the center and put on the finishing touches in locating it.
  12. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 62How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 62
    Click on Scale and your wings are done. Merge the top two layers.
  13. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 63How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 63
    Move the merged wings until that layer is behind the eyes.
  14. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 64How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 64
    Making sure you are on the wings layer, select Filters >> Blur >> Gaussian Blur and select 20. This will give the image depth by adding blur to the wings.
Part 3 of 4:

Making the Insect's Body

  1. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 65How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 65
    Create a new transparent layer. It needs to be above the wings, but behind everything else.
  2. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 66How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 66
    Select the ellipse tool. Start at the center of the left eye and drag it down to the right and down until it looks like the screenshot.
  3. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 67How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 67
    Fill the ellipse with white using the bucket fill tool.
  4. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 68How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 68
    Shrink the selection by 5 pixels.
  5. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 69How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 69
    Fill the reduced selection with black.
  6. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 70How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 70
    Click on the airbrush tool, change the brush to Bristles 02 and make it 50px wide. Color in the body. Don't make it solid, just add some brown, like in the screenshot.
  7. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 71How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 71
    Go to Select >> None. Then use the smudge tool again to add the appearance of hair.
  8. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 72How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 72
    Apply a Gaussian Blur with a radiance of 10.0.
  9. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 73How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 73
    Add a branch for your insect to land on.
  10. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 74How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 74
    Select the Free Selection tool. Draw a rectangle (ish) shape at the bottom of your image.
  11. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 75How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 75
    Change layers and move to the Background layer.
  12. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 76How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 76
    Fill it with a gradient. Click on the Gradient tool and change the gradient to the Greens gradient.
  13. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 77How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 77
    Start at the top and pull down to fill the selection with the gradient.
  14. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 78How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 78
    Move back to the body layer.
  15. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 79How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 79
    Select the Brush tool. Change the brush to one with a hardness of 50 and a size of 50px.
  16. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 80How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 80
    Click where you want to start a leg. Hold down the SHIFT key and draw a short distance away. Continuing to hold down the shift key until you have a leg like the one in the screenshot. Click here it needs to bend.
Part 4 of 4:

Finishing the Insect

  1. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 81How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 81
    Create a new layer. Make it 200 X 200 and transparent. It will be in the top left corner.
  2. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 82How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 82
    Select the ellipse tool and create a circle in the layer.
  3. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 83How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 83
    Select the gradient tool. Make sure the foreground color is white.
  4. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 84How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 84
    Choose the FG to Transparent gradient and select a Radial shape.
  5. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 85How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 85
    Starting in the upper left corner drag it down to the bottom right corner. Because of its placement at the moment, you won't see it, but it is there.
  6. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 86How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 86
    Move the layer that you are in up to the top of the layers. It will be the furthest away from the background.
  7. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 87How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 87
    Select the move tool and then move the eye shine to the top left corner of the eye.
  8. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 88How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 88
    Once you have the shine in place, then duplicate the layer.
  9. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 89How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 89
    Move the shine for the other eye over to the other eye and place it in a similar position.
  10. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 90How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 90
    Merge the two eye shine layers.
  11. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 91How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 91
    Change the mode on the eye shine layer to Grain merge.
  12. How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 92How to Make a Bug in GIMP Picture 92
    Once you like the way it looks, flatten all the layers. Save the original file first in case you want to do some more work on it. Enjoy your work and show everyone what you can do!!
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