GIMP Version: 2.6.11
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: XP - SP3
GIMP Experience: Basic Level

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Hiya!

I did a search of the site and couldn't find any tuts on how to apply a tattoo to a person in an image. I really want to scare the be-jesus out my mother! Cause this would be something so not my character! *snicker* Really give her something to look forward to at xmas! *wife over my shoulder telling me I'm evil now - I'm still snickering!*

I'm sure tstandiford will be chiming in on this one. I would imagine this isn't to far off the zombie thing.

Any help is always appreciated!!!

A really easy way to do this effect is to grab any tat image online that has a white bg.
Now open the tat image in gimp with your skin image.
place the tat image on top - scale it and rotate to liking -
set the opacity down to a darker gray
place the tat layer in multiply mode.

Is this what you looking for! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fRFe-Po0iE

Here is a little bit better image of the same steps as i stated above.
For this one i also used the blur tool (looks like a tear drop in the toolbox)
Large fuzzy brush - blur just the edges


If you want the tat colored say green or red, just select the tat layer do a color>color to alpha>white
Then select your 2 colors fore and bg, and just do color>map>gradient map

You're right Biggz, this is totally something I'd do lol.

If your tattoo design is not in color essentially do what Rod did. Remember this though, layer masks are your friend here.

This works really well because it lets the layer mask define the edge, and will give you the best edge no matter what. You could even color bits of the tattoo in different colors using this method. I explain the theory behind why I do it this way instead of the color select in this gimp logo tutorial.

Here is, in my opinion, the best way to get the tattoo in the image.

Insert the tattoo you want into the body image, file>>>open as layers>>>select the tattoo file.
right-click on the tattoo layer and add a layer mask. Initilize it to grayscale copy of layer
delete the tattoo, and fill it's layer with black.
set the layer mode to whatever works for you.

Oh, one more thing. If you need to warp the tattoo, simply convert the image of the layer mask to a path and modify the path in little bits to warp around your body. Converting the mask to a path can be done like so:

right-click on the layer mask
switch to your paths dockable dialog and click on "selection to path." at the bottom of the dockable dialog
deselect all, select>>>none
warp to fit your body shape
duplicate your tattoo layer
hide the duplicated layer
fill your tattoo layer's layer mask with black to erase the tattoo.
right-click on the modified path, click "path to selection"
fill the selection with white.

Yup that is why i mentioned color to alpha.A much better way of getting rid of the bg without rendering.Much better results.
Sometimes that doesn't work though so your method with a layer mask is probably the best way to go for colored tats.

The only big advantage of my method is changing the colors is very easy to do because the edge is predefined by the layer mask, so as long as you don't mess with the mask you can do whatever you want to the image itself. Want to change the tattoo's color? 1 bucket fill and you're done. Want to add a texture to the tattoo? slap a stock texture on the tattoo layer.

Ok! Cool! Thanks for the input! Now I just have to get some good mug shots! I have face only Mike Tyson could appreciate!

I'll post my results!

Just a side note: I watched video tut that Lori posted and when the kid scaled his tat layer he had no ghost image. Every time that I've tried to scale a layer I get the original image in the layer, the scale selection box with the handles and when I start moving the scale handles around the scaled layers image. Only until I click ok does the original layer image go away. Is this a windows problem??

You do not have to use the scale tool to scale an image or layer. You can go to Image > Scale Image, or Layer > Scale Layer. There will not be the "ghost" of the original image. All you will have is the dialog box.

I DID NOT KNOW THAT! Wow. Thanks O.

Even 2.7.4 has the 'ghost' with the scale tool.

But as it is with men .. it's the visual. The scale options in Image or from Layers off the menu bar only give you a dialog box to fiddle with the numbers. It's much easier to grab a handle and move x and y to make it fit. I can live with it.

Thanks tho! =)

Alex,

I confused were you say:
"delete the tattoo and fill it's layer with black"

The tattoo file is a png with a transparent background already. I don't were to delete from, the layer mask or the layer itself. And then which to I fill with black?

Sorry I being such a noob!

No problem at all! If the image is already a png this isn't necessary (unless you want to easily change the color of the image.)

what I meant was click on the tattoo layer, click select>>>all, and then use your bucket tool to fill the entire selection with black. I do this in the video tutorial I linked to previously, check it out - it's literally using the same process I explained in my previous post.

I remember a tutorial I tried a long time ago (no I don't think I could ever find it again) but I seem to remember that once you had your tatoo on the body, you bump mapped it to the body (or displaced, I can't remember). This was to have the tattoo follow the body contours.

google search

I am very interested to see what you come up with MrBiggz.

Me too! I took a picture of myself yesterday but it came out booty! Grrr! I'm still trying! I don't like my picture took .. cause they come out blah!

When you take the photo, use A LOT of lights. spotlights. Don't use flash. Get a tripod or set the camera on a desk or any flat surface. set the camera on a timer, and fire.

No flash ... check
Tripod got one .. check
Timer on the camera .. check
Lots of lights .. fail (bright light will kill me)

here's a quick tattoo tutorial that uses map-displace
adding tattoos

Excellent tute alc59, very easy to follow. I must git meself one and send it to friends.