Some of us here really enjoy using GIMP, and not only have we mentioned where to learn more about using GIMP, where to learn visually thanks to video tutorials, and where to learn to make your own wallpapers, but we've also provided our own simple tutorials to create image maps, improve your screenshots with callouts, batch edit images, and even create some really cool stereographic projections.

A lot of times when you're making your own graphics, you might need the help of scripts or plugins to reduce steps to achieve something you constantly find yourself doing. If you're into making your own drawings and digital paintings, you will probably be excited to find out about GIMP Paint Studio.

I certainly was when I found out through Asian Angel (thank you!). That's because GIMP Paint Studio (GPS) is a package filled with goodies that improve GIMP's drawing and painting features, especially useful if you own a drawing tablet. It consists of new brushes and tools that will likely make the digital painter-inclined user comfortable with the program from the moment GIMP is launched. The plugin is actually put together by a digital artist who has an incredible gallery on the download site to further demonstrate what can be achieved with GIMP and GIMP Paint Studio.

Installation

If you want to try the package, download the zip file from the Google Code site, which packs brushes, palettes, gradients, patterns, and tool options. Assuming you have GIMP installed, after you unzip the download file, you'll have to copy or move the files inside each folder of GPS into the original GIMP folders. Personally, I moved the entire GPS brushes folder to GIMP's brushes folder, for example, so they stay separated from the built-in ones, in case GIMP starts up too slowly for the new amount of brushes to load. For Windows Vista and 7, you can find the original GIMP folders in "C:\Username\.gimp-2.6"'; in Windows XP, locate the folders in "C:\Documents and Settings\Username\.Gimp-2.6\"; in OS X, they should go in "/Users/Username/Library/Application Support/Gimp"; in Ubuntu or any Linux system, they should be in "/home/username/.gimp-2.6". If you have the portable version like I do, find the folders in "GIMPPortable/App/gimp/share/gimp/2.0/". Now that you now where to move or copy the files, move GIMP Paint Studio's brushes into the original GIMP's brushes folders, the new gradients into GIMP's gradients folder and so on.

gimp paint studio

There are also sessionrc (can be used to rearrange the layout of GIMP to optimize working comfortably with graphics tablets) and toolrc (can be implemented to add tools to Toolbox) files in the GPS package that you can use to replace GIMP's built-in, but you should back up the original files in case you wish to restore original layouts and tools.

freeware paint gimp

What GPS provides when compared to GIMP's built-in offerings is a wide range of tools for graphic designers and digital artists: different shadowing pencil brushes (graphite, 2B, 6B, etc), pen brushes (BIC pen, sketching pen), oil brushes, etc; and other presets for airbrushing, using the ink tool, smudging, etc. You can find the whole list of offerings here.

freeware paint gimp

Artwork Made With GIMP & GPS

Here are the many astounding art pieces in the Gallery (some made by the digital painter author of GPS) that show the potential of GPS and GIMP.

freeware paint gimp
gimp paint studio

If you're inspired enough to try your hand at drawing and making your own creations, definitely check out GPS! Meanwhile, you can also check out where to get brushes if you want something smaller than the GPS package.

What programs do you use to create your artwork?

Photo credit: Ramon Miranda, GPS Gallery