I posted about Gimp on the Tools I Use & Recommend page recently — it's what I use for all my design work.
When I delved into the world of design, I downloaded it because it's free (gotta love that!). I figured I would eventually switch to a paid-for application once I decided whether design was something I wanted to pursue. Well, I was impressed by its functionality and haven't felt the need to switch yet. 
Sharon commented recently that she had downloaded Gimp but was having a hard time understanding how it worked. I can relate. I tried reading the manual, but…
So, I did some hunting and came across the following tutorials by malgalin on YouTube. He's got lots of tutorials but these are some of the ones I started with that introduced me to the basics:
- Gimp Tutorial: Layers – The Basics
- Gimp Tutorial: Making Brushes
- Gimp Tutorial: Texture Overlay Effect
- Gimp Tutorial: Paths – The Basics
- Gimp Tutorial: Paths 2
- Gimp Tutorial: Selection & Paths
There are tons of Gimp tutorials on YouTube — just input "gimp" or "gimp tutorial" in the search bar and you'll find lots of 'em!
Many of the tutorials teach you how to produce a particular effect (ex. change hair color), but there are also a lot that teach the basics. In that case try searching "gimp tutorial basics."
I will have to carve out some time to check out those tutorials. I am planning on doing some design tutorials one day. I use PSE 7 but know that some people don't want to buy a program and would like to have tutorials for Gimp. I know a woman that does Blogger templates (Butterflygirlms) and I *think* she does them with Gimp…
Thanks for the post. And all your posts. (I think this is the first time I've commented here???)
Thanks for these Amy. Gimp looks great, but I have also had trouble figuring out how to use it. I read the user manual too…
I also really appreciate you directing us to picnik. It helped me with a lot of photo tasks recently (when I got stuck in Gimp).
So glad!
(For those of you wondering what Stacy's referring to, learn how to edit your photos in Picnik here.)
Hi Amy ! I LOVE your blog. Thank you for all this wonderful information, whenever I have a free moment from the kids I am absorbing all this wonderful material so I can get in gear and start blogging and building websites ! Anyhow I had a question regarding GIMP. I just love your little thumbnail pictures that you have attached to your posts. Do you do the design work on GIMP yourself ? Or do you pay someone to do them ? Just curious- thank you
I've had some created by a graphic designer, but I do many of them myself.
Thank you for your encouragement. I'm so glad it's helpful!