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UdemyGraphic DesignPaid courseBeginner levelCertificate

Gimp: Make a Digital Painting & Illustration Like a Pro Fast (Udemy.com)

Create professional-looking digital paintings and illustrations using the free program Gimp, even if you "can't draw."

Created by: Kristen Palana

Last updated February 2026

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What you will learn

  • Make unique and beautiful professional-looking digital paintings and illustrations (even if you "can't draw!")
  • Develop artistic confidence as you develop better drawing and design skills that you can build off of and that will last you a lifetime
  • Create powerful digital images that can be displayed online or in print, presented as unique gifts, or as part of your own budding freelance design business.
  • Understand how to create effective images that use original or copyright-free photographs as a starting point.
  • Have a solid undertsanding of basic digital painting methods to create images used as stills or later in multimedia and animated projects.

How it compares

Against the other 413 rated Udemy courses in Graphic Design on CourseDuck:

  • Rating4.5 out of 5higher than 49% of them
  • Reviews78#333 of 414 by number of reviews
  • Length1.4 hoursshorter than 89% of them
  • Last updatedFebruary 2026more recently than 65% of them

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Course Description

This quick and easy course will help you make original, custom digital paintings and illustrations using the free program GIMP (or any similar program) in just a matter of minutes that look professional and can be used online, in videos and animations, or for print purposes such as on a poster, letterhead, even a T-shirt or other products.

This course was made for both adults and younger people (ages 10 and up), especially beginners, technophobes, people who don't think they can draw, and those who want to rediscover their creativity and artistic sides that we all have.

Stop paying others to make designs for you and develop skills that can help you start making money creating professional-looking images for others. You can also use these simple techniques to make unique images and illustrations as free gifts for friends and family.   

You also don't need to know how to draw. There are actually a HUGE number of graphic designers who CAN NOT draw... but they make up for it by using techniques like the ones in this course and naturally, learning more about layout design, composition, color, typography, and other fundamentals of visual literacy.

This course can be taken on a computer, a tablet, or even a phone using the FREE program GIMP or similar image editing apps and programs. You do not need a stylus pen or any special gadgets, expensive software, or equipment to follow along.

I'm an Associate Professor of Digital Media who recently taught for universities, international schools, and NGOs in Myanmar from 2016-2019. I co-founded and directed the Film and Digital Media Program at The American University of Rome (2006-2016). I'm now living in Lilongwe, Malawi and am a Digital Media and Animation Specialist for The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Malawi).

Since 2000 I've been teaching students all over the world  using my tried and true custom approach (turning complex information  into something simple, memorable, easy-to-understand in as short amount  of time as possible) to ensure that you  get the most important, relevant, and useful information that can be  applied immediately.

New  bonus lectures and resources will continue to be added and timely  advice will be provided in the discussion forum. I love to help  and always respond to inquiries and discussions ASAP.

Please  Note: All students who enroll in this course also will receive periodic  free and discounted access to my other top-rated current and upcoming  courses. *This course automatically comes with either a FREE Photoshop or Illustrator illustration course. You can choose which one you want and I'll send you the link to help you continue your learning. (Details are in the Extra section inside the course).

You have a 30-day, 100% money-back guarantee  with no questions asked so you have nothing to lose. I make myself  available so you will have access to me if you have questions or need  specific feedback along the way.

Empower yourself now by enrolling in this digital painting course and join our growing learning community!

Click the "Take This Course" button in the upper right corner and let's get started building your digital painting, software, and design skills today.


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Instructor Details

Kristen Palana

My goal is to empower unapologetic idealists through art, design, and education.

I am an American/Portuguese interdisciplinary artist who recently returned to Italy after nearly a decade in Myanmar and Malawi. After focusing primarily on digital media and animation for over 20 years, I reconnected with my fine art roots in 2021. Inspired by the lofty mission statements of the world’s top organizations, my mixed-media drawings serve as a call to action to visualize better outcomes for our lives, communities, and the planet. My earlier animations have screened at over 75 international film festivals, earning numerous “Best Animated Short Film” awards, including at the Cannes Short Film Festival, Italy International Film Festival, and Sunscreen Film Festival.

As an educator, I've taught at universities on four continents. I created the Digital Media track of the Communication Program at The American University of Rome, where I earned tenure in 2009 and led the Film and Digital Media Program from 2013 to 2016. From 2016 to 2024, I expanded my teaching to academic institutions and NGOs in Myanmar and Malawi. When not making fine art, I work as a consultant in art, design, communication, and small business development, teaching once again at The American University of Rome while collaborating with international agencies such as WHO, UNICEF, WFP, GIZ, UNDP, and UNFPA.<

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Reviews

4.5

78 ratings on Udemy

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By Dorreen Smith on 9/28/2025

Taking the course was interrupted by unforeseen circumstances, however I am grateful to say I have returned to bring them to completion.

By Minjun Park on 1/6/2022

It was really awesome learning gimp and drawing with you. Thank you very much.

By Mikhail Machine on 6/12/2021

Всегда удивляло умение людей рисовать. Был уверен, что рисовать-то я точно не умею. Решил попробовать. Очень интересно. Простая техника обучения.

By Deauna Gibbs on 4/6/2021

I tried using Gimp before, but was very frustrated trying to learn the tools. In less than an hour, I learned how to trace, color and add details to a photo! I highly recommend the course for beginners.

By Mikhail Chernousov on 12/1/2020

As a beginner, I needed more tutoring about Gimp tools and secrets. Sometimes my brush didn`t work or worked only in some parts of the picture. I was angry about this Gimp :-) For three days I was finding solutions on the Internet. And after it, I came back to the course and got everything. Thanks a lot, now I can draw! :-)

By Denise Horn on 11/1/2020

I LOVE THIS COURSE! It is easily understood, which is always nice for a beginner. I am not tech savvy, so all the help I can get is wonderful. Thank you Kristin!

By Jagadeesh Naik on 9/28/2020

Great experience, instructor is well informed

By Aysha Ali on 9/8/2020

Thank You So Much for this, your teaching was wonderful and I can't wait to explore digital paintings.

By Kathryn Kistner on 8/31/2020

I liked that the GIMP program was free. The walk-through of the course was basic... not advanced and scary. The tools that were shown, were simple, yet adequate to create excellent results. A great confidence-builder. The instructor is easy to understand and follow. A perfect place to start.

By Chandresh Mehta on 6/14/2022

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Overall Score : 90 / 100