GIMP Exercise: Tree

I used the following steps to make the tree banner:

1. Created a new 600x600 pixel document with a transparent background
2. Used a brown, hard-edged paint brush to paint the tree trunk and branches
3. Used a green calligraphic-style brush with various dynamic pressure settings applied to produce a more realistic looking set of leaves on multiple layers (below and on top of the tree trunk / branches layers)
4. Applied a drop-shadow effect to the top layer of leaves
5. Copied the entire tree document
6. Created a new760x110 pixel document
7. Filled the background with a green-to-brown gradient
8. Added small black gradients to the top and bottom of the banner
9. Pasted the tree into the document
10. Scaled the tree to fit into the banner
11. Applied dodging techniques to give one side of the tree a lighter appearance
12. Added a drop-shadow to the entire tree
13. Used the text tool to type the company name
14. Applied a drop-shadow to the company name

Images: