How do I preserve a transparent background when exporting an image from GIMP?

Add an alpha channel to the layer, remove the background as needed, and export the image as a PNG file to retain transparency.

What are the keyboard shortcuts for Crop, Clone, and Rectangle Select in GIMP?

Use Shift+C for Crop, C for Clone, and R for the Rectangle Select tool.

How can I colorize an old black-and-white photo in GIMP without changing the original image?

Create separate layers for each color area, set an appropriate layer mode such as Color, and paint over the original photo non-destructively.

Free Course Image Gimp for image editing

Free online course Gimp for image editing

Duration of the online course: 2 hours and 26 minutes

(2)

Edit photos like a pro with this free GIMP course—learn layers, retouching, color correction, and creative effects, plus tips to work faster and smarter.

In this free course, learn about

GIMP course overview, setup, and basic workflow for photo editing
Alternatives to GIMP for digital art and photo editing
Using single-window mode and navigating the GIMP interface
Changing/selecting colors and beginner-friendly recoloring methods
Using Dodge, Smudge, Clone, and Heal tools, plus key shortcuts
Core selection tools (e.g., rectangular select) and when to use them
Layers fundamentals: why layers matter and how they improve editing
Crop, Move, Rotate, Scale, and Handle Transform tool usage and shortcuts
Transparency and alpha channels; best formats to preserve transparency (e.g., PNG)
Text tool basics: creating text and adjusting size and properties
Path tool basics for precise shapes, selections, and edits
Photo-to-pixel-art conversion; benefits of transparent backgrounds for low-res art
Colorizing old/black-and-white photos using separate coloring layers
Effects workflows: pencil sketch, exposure blending, and layer/effect adjustment goals

About the free online course

Build real image-editing skills with GIMP, a powerful free alternative for photo editing and digital artwork. This course is designed for beginners who want results fast, without getting overwhelmed by complicated jargon. You will learn how to set up a comfortable workspace, understand essential tools, and develop an efficient workflow that helps you move from quick fixes to polished edits you would feel confident sharing online or using professionally.

As you progress, you will practice the techniques that make the biggest difference in everyday editing: selecting and changing colors cleanly, improving highlights with dodge-style adjustments, and fixing distractions with clone and heal methods. You will also learn how to make accurate selections for targeted edits and how to use layers to keep your work non-destructive, organized, and easy to revise. Along the way, you will gain confidence with common transformations like crop, move, rotate, and scale, so your compositions look intentional and balanced.

A key focus is understanding transparency and alpha channels, which unlock cleaner cutouts, better compositing, and professional-looking exports for web and design. You will also learn practical text basics for simple graphics, plus the path tool for precise shapes and clean curves. Beyond the fundamentals, the course guides you through creative, portfolio-friendly outcomes such as converting photos to pixel art, restoring and colorizing older images, and turning a photo into a pencil sketch effect. You will even explore exposure blending concepts to create a more balanced final image when lighting is tricky.

By the end, you will have a solid foundation in GIMP that translates into faster edits, better control over detail, and a clearer creative process. Whether you are improving photos for social media, building design assets, or learning image editing for personal projects and career growth, this course gives you practical skills you can apply immediately using free software.

Course content

Video class: Gimp Lesson 1 | Course Overview 02m
Exercise: What are the alternatives to GIMP for digital art and photo editing?
Video class: Gimp Lesson 2 | Getting Started 12m
Exercise: What is single window mode in Gimp?
Video class: Gimp Lesson 3 | Changing and Selecting Color 09m
Exercise: What is the recommended way to change the color when starting out in Gimp?

Video class: Gimp Lesson 4 | Dodge 06m
Exercise: What is the shortcut to access the smudge tool in Gimp?
Video class: Gimp Lesson 5 | Using Clone and Heal 08m
Exercise: What is the shortcut key to select the clone tool in Gimp?
Video class: Gimp Lesson 6 | Using Selection Tools 11m
Exercise: What is the shortcut key to access the rectangular select tool in GIMP?

Video class: Gimp Lesson 7 | Intro to Layers 07m
Exercise: What is the benefit of using layers in GIMP?
Video class: Gimp Lesson 8 | Using Crop and Move Tools 06m
Exercise: What is the shortcut key to select the crop tool in GIMP?
Video class: Gimp Lesson 9 | How to Rotate and Scale 09m
Exercise: What is the shortcut to access the rotate tool in Gimp?
Video class: Gimp Lesson 10 | Using Transparency and Alpha Channel 08m
Exercise: What file format should you save an image as if you want to preserve transparency in Gimp?

Video class: Gimp Lesson 11 | Text Basics for Beginners 11m
Exercise: How can you modify text size using the text tool?
Video class: Gimp Lesson 12 | Gimp Path Tool 09m

Video class: Convert Photo to Pixel Art using Gimp 08m
Exercise: What is the advantage of using an image with a transparent background when creating low res pixel art using Gimp?
Video class: How to Color an Old Photo using Free Software, Gimp 06m
Exercise: What is the importance of using a separate layer for coloring?
Video class: How to use Handle Transform Tool in Gimp 01m
Exercise: Where can you find the handle transform tool in some versions of Gimp's toolbox?
Video class: Gimp | Color a Black and White Picture 04m
Exercise: What element of filmmaking is highlighted in the transcript?
Video class: Gimp | Color a Black and White Picture 04m
Exercise: What element of filmmaking is highlighted in the transcript?

Video class: GIMP | Free photo editing. Like Photoshop, but free! 01m
Video class: Convert Photo to Pencil Sketch / Effect using Gimp 04m
Exercise: What is the primary goal of adjusting layers and effects in the image editing process described?
Video class: Exposure Blending | Gimp 09m
Exercise: What is the main technique described in the video?
Video class: Examples of GIMP Filters: Render 03m

Learn aboutGIMP

Explore free online GIMP courses designed to help you master photo editing, image manipulation, graphic design, layers, masks, filters, and essential creative tools. Learn at your own pace with beginner-friendly lessons and practical projects. Enroll today, build valuable digital design skills, and earn a certificate upon completion.