This wikiHow teaches you how to change the color of a photo in GIMP using a computer. GIMP is a free, open source software for processing photos. GIMP can be installed on a computer. You can create different photo layers, and use the Bucket Fill or Paintbrush features in GIMP to change the color, hue, elements, and areas of the image. This guide is intended for English-language software.
Step
Part 1 of 5: Unlocking Images
Step 1. Run GIMP
The GIMP icon looks like a cartoon animal with a brush in its mouth. You can find GIMP in the Start menu for Windows, or in the Applications folder for Mac.
Step 2. Select File at the top left of the screen
It's in the bar at the top of the application window (PC) or in the menu at the top of the screen (Mac). This button will open the file options.
Step 3. Click Open on the File menu
This button will open a new window, and allow you to select an image to edit.
Step 4. Select the image you want to recolor
Find and click the file name in the window that opens.
When selected, a preview of the image will appear on the right side of the window
Step 5. Click the Open button
This button will open the selected image in GIMP.
When prompted to convert the image profile to match the GIMP color scale, click Convert for best results.
Part 2 of 5: Creating a New Layer
Step 1. Click Layer at the top of the screen
It's in the bar at the top of the application window (PC) or in the menu at the top of the screen (Mac).
Step 2. Click New Layer on the Layer menu
This button allows you to create a new layer on the image. You can use this layer to manipulate the color of the image.
This option will open a new window called "Create a New Layer."
Step 3. Select Transparency next to "Fill with
" In the “Create a New Layer” window, make sure the “Transparency” option is selected as the fill layer.
- In some versions of GIMP, " Fill with” may be replaced with " Layer Fill Type."
- If there is a “Layer Type” option, set it to “Normal.”
Step 4. Click OK in the "Create a New Layer" window
This will create a new transparent layer above the image.
Part 3 of 5: Recolor Areas on Photos
Step 1. Click the “Free Select” (Laso) tool in the toolbox
This button looks like a lasso icon and is located in the toolbar on the left side of the screen. This tool is used to select areas of the image.
Step 2. Tick
on options Feather edges at the bottom left of the screen.
When selecting the “Free Select” tool, you can enable this feature at the bottom left of the application window.
- This will smooth out the edges of the selected area.
- You can upgrade Radius under the " Feather edges " option to make the edges even smoother.
Step 3. Select the outline of the area to be recolored
Control the “Free Select” (Laso) tool using the mouse, then draw a border around the area to be colored.
- Make sure you select the new transparent layer on the right of the screen, not the original image.
- When you're done creating the outline, a dotted line will appear around the area of your choice.
Step 4. Click the " Bucket Fill " tool
This button looks like a paint bucket in the toolbar in the upper-left corner of the screen.
Step 5. Click the foreground color under the toolbox
This will open a color picker window.
Step 6. Click the color you want to use
You can select any color in the color picker window.
Step 7. Click the bordered area in the image
This will fill the area with the color you selected earlier.
Make sure you select the new transparent layer on the right side of the screen, not the original image
Step 8. Click Mode at the top of the Layers list
You can find a list of your image layers on the right side of the screen.
By default, the layer mode is in the “Normal” position
Step 9. Select Color on the “Mode” menu
This will change the transparent layer mode to a “Color” layer, and change the color of the selected area in the original image.
Step 10. Select the “Eraser” tool
This button looks like a square eraser and is located in the toolbar at the top left of the screen.
Step 11. Erase the extra color around the already colored area
You can use “Eraser” to trim the edges and remove extra color around the areas that have been colored manually.
Part 4 of 5: Recoloring Using a Paintbrush
Step 1. Create a new transparent layer
Follow the guidelines in Part 2 to create a new, unfilled transparent layer on top of the original image.
Make sure this layer is different from the “Color Mode” layer used with the “Bucket Fill” tool
Step 2. Select the “Paintbrush” tool in the tool box
This button looks like a brush icon and is located in the toolbar at the top left of the application window.
- Using this tool, you can manually paint new colors on the image.
- Alternatively, you can set the brush size, angle, hardness and other attributes in the menu located at the bottom left of the screen.
Step 3. Click the front color layer below the toolbox
On the left side of the screen, click the layer in front of the two color layers and then open the color picker.
Step 4. Select the desired color
You can choose any color in the color picker window. You can also enter the RGB/HTML code to select the desired color.
Step 5. Click the Mode menu above “Layers”
This menu is located above all your image layers on the right side of the screen. By default, this menu is set to “Normal.”
Make sure you select the new transparent layer created for painting in the Layers list. Do not choose the original image
Step 6. Select Hue on the “Mode” menu
By doing this, you can change the hue of the already painted area.
Step 7. Paint a picture to color it
You can use the mouse to paint a picture, and change the hue of the picture.
You should paint on the transparent “Hue” layer, and not on the original image
Part 5 of 5: Exporting Images
Step 1. Right-click the original image in the Layers list
The Layers list is located on the right side of the application window.
This will open the right click options
Step 2. Select Flatten Image on the right-click menu
You can find this option at the bottom or top of the right-click menu.
This option will merge all layers, and create a new layer containing all of your recolors
Step 3. Click File at the top left of the screen
You can find this option at the top of the application window (PC) or in the menu bar near the top-left corner of the screen (Mac).
Step 4. Select Export As on the “File” menu
This option will open a new dialog box and save your new image to your computer as a separate file.
Step 5. Select the location to save the image
In the dialog box, locate and click the folder to save your new image.
Step 6. Click Select File Type
This option is located at the bottom of the dialog box. This option contains all the file types from which you can choose to export your new image.
Step 7. Select the image format
You can select common image formats such as JPEG, TIFF, or PNG.
Step 8. Click the Export button
It's in the lower-right corner of the dialog box. This option will export and save the new image to the selected folder.
