Hey there,

So I decided to make a GIMP tutorial, hoping that it will be useful for you. I'm not really a Gimp specialist, but I've worked with that programm before I got Photoshop and there are some things I know that might be interesting for you.

So, first, GIMP can be downloaded for free.
I've a download link for GIMP 2.6.4. here : link
(wow took me ages to find a version that's not german Oo)
This works, I just downloaded it from there too, because before I had a german version and for the tutorial I need to know the english words.

And your number 1 screencap source is: link

So, after you've installed GIMP, we can continue.

I'll show you now how to go from this to...











I'm assuming you know how to crop your screencap and make it 100px x 100px.

If you have this, we'll sharpen it a little.
*)Filters > Enhance > Unsharp mask
Set radius to 0.5

So, our image is a little dark,so we do this:
*)First look at the long toolbox on the left side of GIMP. No matter which tool you select, there should be a little arrow that you can click and when you click it you can select >Add Tab >Layers.[u]
This is important! Now the layers are shown in the toolbox on the left side and we can see which layer we are working on :)

We have atm only one layer, which is called background and which shows us our beautiful dark Cuddy.
Now we move away from the toolbox on the left again and back to the main image, where it also says file, edit, select, view and so on.
There we [u]click Layer > Duplicate Layer

When we look back to our toolbox we now see that we have 2 Cuddy layers which look identical.
The new layer is called background copy. We select this layer and set the mode to Addition.
Voila, suddenly our Cuddy icon isn't as dark anymore. :)
*) Now right click on the background copy layer and select Duplicate layer again. Now the icon gets even brighter, but a little too bright now, so we set the opacity of our new background copy 1 to about 50% !

*) Now that this is done, right click on the background layer and choose > Flatten image
Now the 3 layers are 1 again.

Now we already have a much nicer icon than at the beginning. You can stop here, if you are already happy, or you can go on and play with the colors.

*)Go to colors >Color Balance
Set the midtones to yellow -80 and
the highlights to blue +45, then click ok

Again, you can stop here or go on.
*)In the toolbox, you see a color field. Click on it to change the color and set it to: 524cdb

*)Click then Layer > New Layer and select Foreground color. Then our beautiful Cuddy is gone and there is only the blue icon left.

Dont panic xD
*) Set the new layer's mode to : difference
Looks horrible, doesn't it? Well, what are you waiting for, reduce the opacity! To about 30%, but that depends on the icon and on your taste as well. ;]
If you have done this, right-click and flatten the image, so your 2 layers are 1 layer again.

Wanna go on? xD How about adding a beautiful brush to our beautiful Cuddy?

Wanna do it? Okay
*) SAVE your icon somewhere you'll find it again and then CLOSE your whole GIMP programm.

Then follow this link link and download the brushes by simply clicking download.

After you've downloaded it, you need to extract the files and save them on your pc. Then copy them all and paste them into [wherever you saved GIMP on your pc before] - GIMP-2.0 -> share -> gimp -> 2.0 -> brushes

After that you can open GIMP and your icon again.

*) Select now the Paintbrush tool in the toolbox and set the color field to this color: e5fb4e.
Then below, where it says Brush: you click the field, scoll down a little and you see symbols. Make sure you select the -GIMP Brush#5-
Also, set the opacity to about 44% and then put the brush on the left side of your icon. :) There you should now have a yellowish box.

Wanna make more?
*)Set the color field to white and this time choose a different brush -> GIMP Brush#14
Set the opacity this time to 100% !

*)Put the brush on the bottom of your icon. I didn't let the white box go into the yellow box.

Now you can either leave it like that or write something into the white box, that's what I did.

*)So you go to the big A on the toolbox for text tool.
Then you choose a color below (this time not in the big color field, there's now an extra color field)
I chose this color: 141425

*) Now also choose a FONT ( i took Segoe Print Bold)and then click on the write box to write something clever. (you might also change the size and so on.)
If the text isn't in the right position, go away from the text tool and choose the blue arrows, the so called move tool to move the text.

*)When the text is in the right position, click on the layers dialog in the toolbox again, or CTRL+L, if you don't find it and right-click > flatten image -> so now the text layer is combined with the Cuddy icon layer.

and.... YOU ARE DONE!! ♥ I'm so proud you did it. :)

Save the picture and upload it to fanpop! :)

important

The outcome depends also on the screencaps you use. Some screencaps are more yellowish, while others are more bluish, or some are darker and some are brighter. So the colors that come out when you use this tutorial, might vary! But I think this tutorial gives a good basic information of what options you have when you make an icon with GIMP.