Day 1

Part 1: Installing GIMP

Download and Install:

  1. Go to: https://www.gimp.org/downloads/
  2. Click on "Download GIMP directly" for macOS
  3. Download the DMG file
  4. Open the DMG once downloaded
  5. Drag GIMP into your Applications folder

  6. Open GIMP from Applications

    • First time: Right-click → Open (to bypass security warning)
    • Click "Open" in the dialog

Part 2: Setting Up Your Canvas

Create a New Image:

  1. File → New

  2. Set canvas size:

    • Width: 2048 pixels
    • Height: 2048 pixels
    • Click OK

Enable Layer Visibility:

  1. Windows → Dockable Dialogs → Layers

    • This opens the Layers panel (usually on the right side)

Part 3: Creating Your Layer Structure

Create all the layers you'll need:

For each layer below, do this:

  1. Layer → New Layer
  2. Type the layer name exactly
  3. Layer Fill Type: Transparency
  4. Click OK

Create these layers in order (top to bottom):

  1. hair_front
  2. eyebrow_left
  3. eyebrow_right
  4. eyes
  5. pupils
  6. mouth
  7. face
  8. hair_back
  9. body
  10. arms (optional)
  11. legs (optional)

Your Layers panel should now show all these layers stacked!

Part 4: Drawing Your Character

General Drawing Tips:

  • Select a layer by clicking on it in the Layers panel
  • Paintbrush Tool: Press P key
  • Adjust brush size: Use [ and ] keys (or slider at top)
  • Choose colors: Click the foreground color square in the toolbox
  • Undo: Cmd+Z

Step 1: Draw the Face

  1. Click on the face layer in Layers panel

  2. Select Paintbrush Tool (press P)

  3. Choose a skin color:

    • Light skin: #FFE0BD
    • Medium skin: #D4A574
    • Dark skin: #8D5524
    • Or use the color picker!

  4. Set brush size: 150-200 pixels

  5. Draw a circle/oval for the head

    • Click and drag to paint
    • Make it fairly large and centered

Step 2: Draw the Eyes

  1. Select the eyes layer
  2. Choose white: #FFFFFF
  3. Brush size: 80-100

  4. Draw two oval shapes for eyes

    • Space them apart
    • Position them in the upper-middle of the face
    • Should be roughly the same size

Step 3: Draw the Pupils

  1. Select the pupils layer

  2. Choose an eye color:

    • Blue: #4A90E2
    • Brown: #8B4513
    • Green: #2ECC71
    • Your choice!

  3. Brush size: 40-60

  4. Draw two circles inside each eye

    • Center them in the white eye shapes
    • Make them the same size

Optional: Add small white dots as highlights for sparkle!

Step 4: Draw the Mouth

  1. Select the mouth layer

  2. Choose a color:

    • Red/pink: #E74C3C
    • Natural: #C27BA0

  3. Brush size: 40-60

  4. Draw a simple mouth below the eyes

    • Simple curved line (smile)
    • Or small oval
    • Or just a horizontal line
    • Position it in the lower third of the face

Step 5: Draw the Eyebrows

Left Eyebrow:

  1. Select eyebrow_left layer
  2. Choose a dark color: #4A4A4A or #000000
  3. Brush size: 20-30

  4. Draw a curved line above the left eye

    • Slight arc shape
    • Should follow the curve of the eye below

Right Eyebrow:

  1. Select eyebrow_right layer
  2. Same color as left eyebrow
  3. Same brush size

  4. Draw a curved line above the right eye

    • Try to match the left eyebrow
    • Mirror the shape

Step 6: Draw the Front Hair

  1. Select the hair_front layer

  2. Choose a hair color:

    • Blonde: #F4D03F
    • Brown: #8B4513
    • Black: #000000
    • Blue/pink/any fun color!

  3. Brush size: 100-150

  4. Draw hair covering the forehead and sides:

    • Bangs across the forehead
    • Hair coming down the sides
    • Can cover part of the eyebrows
    • Be creative with the style!

Step 7: Draw the Back Hair

  1. Select the hair_back layer

  2. IMPORTANT: Move this layer BELOW the face layer:

    • Click and drag hair_back in the Layers panel
    • Drop it underneath the face layer

  3. Use the same hair color

  4. Brush size: 100-200

  5. Draw hair behind/around the head:

    • Extends out to the sides
    • Can go down past shoulders
    • Creates volume and fullness
    • Should peek out around the face edges

Step 8: Draw the Body (Optional - Simple Version)

  1. Select the body layer

  2. Choose a clothing color:

    • Blue: #4A90E2
    • Red: #E74C3C
    • Black: #2C3E50
    • Your choice!

  3. Brush size: 100-200

  4. Draw a simple body below the head:

    • Small neck connecting to head
    • Rectangular torso (like a T-shirt)
    • Wider at shoulders, narrower at bottom
    • Just shoulders and upper chest is fine!

Note: Many VTubers only show head and shoulders ("bust" style) - this is totally fine!

Step 9: Arms and Legs (Optional)

Arms:

  • Select arms layer
  • Draw simple arm shapes down the sides
  • Brush size: 60-100

Legs:

  • Select legs layer
  • Draw two vertical strokes for legs
  • Brush size: 80-120

Note: You can skip arms and legs entirely! Just a head and shoulders works great.

Part 5: Saving Your Work

Save the Editable Project:

  1. File → Save As...
  2. Filename: my_vtuber_model.xcf

  3. Click Save

    • This keeps all layers editable for future changes

Export for Live2D (PSD Format):

  1. File → Export As...

  2. Filename: my_vtuber_model.psd

    • Make sure it ends with .psd

  3. Click Export

  4. In PSD Export Options:

    • ✅ Check "Save layers" (very important!)
    • Click Export

🎉 Congratulations!

You now have a layered VTuber model ready to import into Live2D Cubism!

What you've created:

  • Separate layers for each facial feature
  • Proper layer hierarchy
  • A PSD file ready for rigging and animation

Next Steps:

  • Import the PSD into Live2D Cubism
  • Create art meshes
  • Set up parameters for movement
  • Add physics and animations

Quick Tips:

  • Keep it simple for your first model
  • Layers are key - each part needs its own layer
  • Save often (Cmd+S)
  • Experiment - you can always undo!
  • Bust style (just head/shoulders) is perfectly valid

Have fun creating! 🎨✨