...If not, that doesn't matter. I'm writing it up anyway, as it seems that some spriters, like GotMLK7, for example, may need it in the future.
Well, let's get this party tutorial started!
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First off, let me state something about the program I'm using. Personally, I prefer GIMP 2.6, as I'm more acquainted with it than with later or earlier versions. However, this tutorial should still work, even if you're using earlier or later versions.
(I'll need someone to check whether the above is true, though...)
Step 1. Opening GIMP.
Obviously, we'll start by opening GIMP. (Surprising, isn't it? )
To do this, simply click on the program on your desktop or wherever you've put it.
Step 2. The Sprite Sheet.
First, you'll need to draw your character. I find it's the easiest to concentrate on drawing a single frame first, but it's really your choice. That said, it's always easier to concentrate on one thing at a time(, unless you're Singi-Chan, that is).
As an example, I've taken the frontal sketch Singi-Chan made me. I've coloured it, and will now make it into a sheet. To do this, I've opened the first frame in Paint. After all, Paint is the easiest to work with when you're making a sprite sheet, simply because it's so simplistic.
Now, all you have to do, is move the sprite to the left, and copy it. Before you copy it, however, make sure you expand your working space a bit by lengthening it on the right.
Personally, I prefer making the background green as well, but that's your choice.
Oh, and before I forget: Start with the second frame. You'll be needing the first frame in the sprite sheet as well.
That's right. We still have three more frames to go. Or one, actually. You can leave the last frame as it is, and you can copy the second frame to make the fourth. Just paste it on top of it.
Which means we only have to do the third frame now. Actually, this step is very simple.
Just erase everything up to the lowest part of the eyes...
Aaaaand that's all for now. I'll work on the actual animations later.