The Extra Drawing Tools: Learning the GIMP Pencil and Airbrush Tool!

Both these tools have different properties and can be thought of the exact opposite of one another. For instance, the pencil tool creates thick lines. It is good for doing pixel images.

On the other hand, the airbrush tool creates hazy effects. This is good for shading effects. Even though you can switch between the paintbrush and the airbrush for shading effects, however, the airbrush gives off better shading results overall.

Like always, we will need to locate these tools on the GIMP toolbar.

1. Locating the GIMP pencil tool

As always, you will find the GIMP pencil and airbrush tool somewhere in the toolbar. For the pencil tool, you need to look for a picture of a pencil. It is usually found on the left hand side of the GIMP paintbrush.

Now, depending on the version of GIMP, as you click on the pencil tool, you will get a bunch of options right below it on the same window.

One thing that you will notice is that the options available are identical to the GIMP paintbrush. This is excellent for your learning as you are already familiar with these options.

So what makes the pencil tool different than the paintbrush tool? Like I said, it’s good for painting pixilated strokes. That means the edges are consistent with the opacity of the brush.

2. Locating the GIMP airbrush

For the second part of drawing, you will need to the GIMP airbrush. You can find the tool that looks like a mini airbrush used in painting applications on plastic models.

You will notice that the options are similar but not exactly the same. In addition to what you have seen in the pencil and paintbrush tool, the airbrush includes two extra settings called pressure and rate.

The rate slider will adjust how fast or slow the color will be applied while the pressure will adjust the amount of color being applied. Putting it all at the maximum will create a darker tone of the color you want.

3. How to use the GIMP pencil and airbrush

With the GIMP pencil and airbrush tools, you will discover that these two tools are used in the initial planning of your digital painting. You can almost say there is a certain order as to how to paint on your digital canvas.

First, you will need to use the GIMP pencil tool to create an outline of what you want to paint. That is, create your horizons and sketch out simple shapes of what you want to have drawn out.

The best way to do this is to set the opacity settings on low and the sketch lightly.

After you have done the initial sketch, you will switch to the GIMP airbrush tool to expand on the colors.

You will create an overall environment of your painting simply by applying colors where you see fit. For example, if your painting involves a sky, use the airbrush to paint the blue sky.

Do the same for the green earth. Use it to create shadows of the objects and a general light source. Remember, the goal is just the underlying colors. You’re not going to add any details at all.

Once you’ve used the GIMP pencil and airbrush tool to get the underlying planning, backgrounds, and light source, it’s time to switch over to the GIMP paintbrush.

4. Painting the details

If everything is done properly, the GIMP pencil and paintbrush have served its purpose by giving you a template of objects to add details to.

You will then use the GIMP paintbrush to paint where the light hits the objects. This is where the details will come in.

Again, the reason for this is that shadows hide details. That means you don’t need to spend extra time drawing out details that will be covered up by the shadows. Just focus on where the light hits with the paintbrush.

In the end, planning with the GIMP pencil and airbrush tools and then painting with the GIMP paintbrush is one of the most efficient ways to digitally paint.

It’s just how you would paint in real life. These tools not only just mimic this reality, but also make it just a bit convenient to paint as you can correct mistakes easier.

On top of that, you can use additional tools, such as dodging and burning, to enhance or dull colors.

From this experience, the GIMP pencil and airbrush will definitely be an important part of your digital painting toolbox.

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