Making a model

Creating Your First VTuber Model in GIMP

Part 1: Installing GIMP

Download and Install:

  • Go to: https://www.gimp.org/downloads/ (https://www.gimp.org/downloads/)
  • Click on "Download GIMP directly" for macOS
  • Download the DMG file
  • Open the DMG once downloaded
  • Drag GIMP into your Applications folder
  • 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:

  • File → New

  • Set canvas size:

    • Width: 2048 pixels
    • Height: 2048 pixels
    • Click OK Enable Layer Visibility:

  • 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:

  • Layer → New Layer
  • Type the layer name exactly
  • Layer Fill Type: Transparency
  • Click OK Create these layers in order (top to bottom):
  • hair_front
  • eyebrow_left
  • eyebrow_right
  • eyes
  • pupils
  • mouth
  • face
  • hair_back
  • body

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

Select the face layer:

Click on the face layer in your Layers panel to make it active (it should be highlighted).

Draw a simple head shape:

  1. Select the Ellipse Selection Tool:

    • Press E on your keyboard, OR
    • Click the oval selection icon in the toolbox

  2. Draw a circle for the head:

    • Click and drag on your canvas to create an oval
    • Hold Shift while dragging to make it a perfect circle
    • Try to make it roughly 1200-1400 pixels in diameter (centered in your canvas)
    • Don't worry about being exact!

  3. Fill it with a skin color:

    • Go to the toolbox and click the foreground color (the top square)
    • Choose a simple skin tone (like a peachy/beige color: #FFDBAC is a good start, or pick any color you like)
    • Click OK
    • Go to Edit → Fill with FG Color

  4. Deselect:

    • Go to Select → None (or press Shift+Ctrl+A)

Step 2: Draw the Eyes

Select the eye_left layer:

Click on eye_left in your Layers panel to make it active.

Draw the left eye:

  1. Select the Ellipse Selection Tool (press E)

  2. Draw an oval for the eye:

    • Position it where the left eye should be (left side of the face, slightly above center)
    • Make it horizontal-ish (wider than it is tall)
    • Size: roughly 200-300 pixels wide
    • Don't hold Shift this time - we want an oval, not a circle!

  3. Fill it with white:

    • Change your foreground color to white
    • Go to Edit → Fill with FG Color

  4. Deselect (Select → None)

Step 3: Draw the Pupils

  1. Make sure you're on the eye_left layer
  2. Select the Paintbrush Tool (press P)
  3. Choose a dark color for the pupil (click foreground color, pick black or dark brown)
  4. Adjust brush size:
    • Look at the tool options (usually left side or docked somewhere)
    • Find "Size" slider
    • Set it to around 80-150 (experiment with what looks right)
  5. Click once in the center of the white eye - boom, instant pupil!
  6. For the highlight (optional):
    • Change color to white
    • Make brush smaller (size: 20-40)
    • Click once in the pupil for a sparkle

Repeat for the right eye on the eye_right layer

Hot tip...

Each time you want to add something new, you:

  • Make a new selection
  • Fill it
  • Deselect
  • Make the next selection

Step 4: Draw the Mouth

Select the mouth layer:

Click on mouth in your Layers panel.

Draw a simple mouth:

For your first model, let's keep it super simple:

  1. Use Ellipse Selection tool
  2. Draw a small horizontal oval
  3. Fill with dark red/pink
  4. Deselect

(I made an ellipse first then stuck a rectangle over the top half.)

Step 5: Draw the Eyebrows

Left Eyebrow:

  • Select eyebrow_left layer
  • Choose a dark color: #4A4A4A or #000000
  • Brush size: 20-30
  • Draw a curved line above the left eye
    • Slight arc shape
    • Should follow the curve of the eye below

Right Eyebrow:

  • Select eyebrow_right layer
  • Same color as left eyebrow
  • Same brush size
  • Draw a curved line above the right eye
    • Try to match the left eyebrow
    • Mirror the shape

Step 6: Draw the Front Hair

  • Select the hair_front layer
  • Choose a hair color:
    • Blonde: #F4D03F
    • Brown: #8B4513
    • Black: #000000
    • Blue/pink/any fun color!
  • Brush size: 100-150
  • 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

  • Select the hair_back layer
  • IMPORTANT: Move this layer BELOW the face layer:
    • Click and drag hair_back in the Layers panel
    • Drop it underneath the face layer
  • Use the same hair color
  • Brush size: 100-200
  • 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

  • Select the body layer
  • Choose a clothing color:
    • Blue: #4A90E2
    • Red: #E74C3C
    • Black: #2C3E50
    • Your choice!
  • Brush size: 100-200
  • 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!

Part 5: Saving Your Work

Save the Editable Project:

  • File → Save As...

  • Filename: my_vtuber_model.xcf

  • Click Save

    • This keeps all layers editable for future changes Export for Live2D (PSD Format):

  • File → Export As...

  • Filename: my_vtuber_model.psd

    • Make sure it ends with .psd

  • Click Export

  • In PSD Export Options:

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

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

Examples