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09 NOVEMBER 2016, WEDNESDAY

:INTRO:

Hello!

Thank you for downloading my leaf brushes and extras! I hope you enjoy them and use them to their full potential! I'd love to see anything you make with them! (Details on how to do that later.) I hope you remembered to favorite the deviation on DeviantArt when you downloaded it, one so you can always find it later if something happens, and two so I know who all appreciates my hard work! 

If you have any questions regarding any of the files in this folder, please don't hesitate to ask. You can do this in one of several ways: you could either write a comment on the deviation itself on DeviantArt.com, you could send me a note there, or you could email me at BlazingFirebug@gmail.com. 

Now, on to the juicy stuffs! :P 

***NOTE: Please make sure to scroll down and read my terms. My contact info is also down there, along with an explanation of why I make resources for free.***

:THE CONTENTS:

Here in this folder "BK_Resources_Gimp_Brushes_Leaves_09Nov2016" are not only just the brushes, but also everything else you need to get started, not including Gimp of course. I know it's quite a lot, but if you read on, I break down all the contents and give some description or suggestions about it all. 

The first item you will see once you open this folder is a bunch of other folders as well as this text file. This file explains all the stuff within those folders.

---THE FOLDERS---

>> "Dynamics" - Here you will find two files that should both be placed in your gimp dynamics folder, usually "C:\Users\[UserName]\.gimp-2.8\dynamics". This folder is very important if you want the results shown in the preview images. Inside this folder are these files:
	1) "BK_Dynamics_Leaves001_08Nov2016.gdyn" - This is the dynamic you use for a slight effect. It's less realistic and more cartoony. It works best with the animated gimp brushes. 
	2) "BK_Dynamics_Leaves001_WindDriven_08Nov2016.gdyn" - I use this one to get extreme randomization from my brushes. If used with the animated leaves, it can very easily look like a stream of wind blowing some leaves around in 3D space. 

>> "Example Previews" - Inside here are the previews I used to 'advertise' my brushes on DeviantArt. If you have any use for these files, feel free to use them. There are two files:
	1) "BK_Graphics_Brushes_Leaves_TestPage001_09Nov2016.png" - This file shows what the actual leaves look like with the Wind Driven dynamic, the included preset, and some of the gradients included in this download. The gradients used are: Golden Leaf, Leaf Green, Autumn, and Autumn's Decay. 
	2) "BK_Graphics_Brushes_Leaves_TestPage002_09Nov2016.png" - Using the same dynamics, presets, and gradients as for the first image, this one shows what the "Jumbled" brushes look like. (They are my personal favorite... especially the one on the right.)

>> "Gradients" - This folder contains six starter gradients. They're pretty simple, but they are great for Autumn scenery! These are optional. I threw them in because I thought someone might like them! These files are placed into gimp's gradients directory. Mine is here: C:\Users\[UserName]\.gimp-2.8\gradients. Included are:
	1) "BK_Gradients_Autumn_09Nov2016.ggr" - This one is the nice brick red color you see in the preview images. 
	2) "BK_Gradients_AutumnsDecay_09Nov2016.ggr" - This is the brownish color shown in the preview images.
	3) "BK_Gradients_GoldenLeaf_09Nov2016.ggr" - A nice ashen yellow, also shown in the preview images.
	4) "BK_Gradients_GrassGreen_08Nov2016.ggr" - This one is a bit different. It works on shades from very light and vibrant to very dark and kind of dull. It is not pictured. It feels more like spring, but I thought it fit with leaves.
	5) "BK_Gradients_LeafGreen_09Nov2016.ggr" - The last of the gradients used in the preview images, this one is the nice dullish green you see. 
	6) "BK_Gradients_Swamp_09Nov2016.ggr" - This one is not depicted, either. I named it "Swamp" because when I used it on my canvas, that's exactly what it looked like: a murky swamp. It starts with a dark brownish-greenish color and ends with a pale greenish-yellowish color. 

***NOTE: In the next three folders are my hand-made brushes that came stright from my own sources. I spent hours on both sets before they ever even became brushes. I had to photograph the right leaves, first. Then I used the pen tool, layer masks, and selections to 'cut' the leaves out of the image. After I had my selections, I filled them on separate layers. I Rotated them, flipped them, resized them, and did a whole host of other actions! I even had to fight gimp crashing before I got these working. No less that two literal days of my time is wrapped up in these brushes. Please respect that when you use them.***

>> "Leaves 001" - In this folder resides a nice curvy leaf brush as well as that same leaf all jumbled together in a ball as a separate brush. There are five files in here, some animated brushes, some normal brushes. They are:
	1) "BK_Brushes_Animated_Leaves001_Jumbled_09Nov2016.gih" - This brush is the one depicted on the right side of the second preview image. It's just a ball of this same leaf rotated and placed on top of each other. It varies in 10 different sizes if you have selected "Dynamics Off" for the dynamics of your brush. This is my personal favorite. It could be used for so many different effects! 
	2) "BK_Brushes_Animated_Leaves001_Randomized_09Nov2016.gih" - This brush has built in size, rotation, and flip variations. It looks pretty decent used with dynamics off. Used with my Wind Driven dynamics, it's really pizazzy! It's just the curvy leaf, not a leaf jumble like the previous one. It is shown in green and yellow on the first preview image. 
	3) "BK_Brushes_Leaves001_A_09Nov2016.gbr" - This is the simple version. It's just the static leaf in one position and one size. Used with the dynamics in this download it can be spruced up!
	4) "BK_Brushes_Leaves001_B_09Nov2016.gbr" - This is the same as the previous one, expect it's been flipped horizontally. 
	5) "BK_Brushes_Leaves001_Jumbled_09Nov2016.gbr" - This brush is just a static, single sized version of the jumbled leaf ball. 

>> "Leaves 002" - Here is a lovely maple-ish leaf for all of you who like the jagged ones! This one took the longest to make as I could not use the pen tool to select its shape. The files in this folder are:
	1) "BK_Brushes_Animated_Leaves002_Jumbled_09Nov2016.gih" - This is just like the first brush in the last folder, except it is a jumbled ball of jagged leaves. It is shown on the left side of the second preview image. (I think it kind of looks like underwater mines or urchins or something.) It has size variation built in! 
	2) "BK_Brushes_Animated_Leaves002_Randomized_09Nov2016.gih" - Again, it's just like the second brush in the previous folder, except it is the silhouette of a jagged, maple-leaf-like leaf. It is pictured in the reds and browns in the first preview image. I think I prefer this one over the other one. 
	3) "BK_Brushes_Leaves002_A_09Nov2016.gbr" - This is just the leaf itself, with zero variations. The dynamics included in this download could give it some pretty snazzy variations, though...
	4) "BK_Brushes_Leaves002_B_09Nov2016.gbr" - This is the same as the previous brush, except it has been flipped horizontally.
	5) "BK_Brushes_Leaves002_Jumbled_09Nov2016.gbr" - Here is the normal, non animated version of the jumbled ball of jagged leaves! 

>> "Leaves Special" - There are only two files in here. They are completely optional. In theory, using them could eliminate the need for some of the others. However, I just use them for a different effect. Here's what's in here:
	1) "BK_Brushes_Animated_LeavesSpecial_Jumbled_09Nov2016.gih" - This is an animated brush with no less than 20 layers. It puts together both of the Jumbled animated brushes and randomizes which ones it paints. It looks pretty cool! 
	2) "BK_Brushes_Animated_LeavesSpecial_Randomized_09Nov2016.gih" - Similar to the previous brush, this one incorporates all 20 layers from both animated leaf brushes. Again, this produces a nice effect, especially when you want lots of natural-looking variety!

***NOTE: All of the animated brushes will paint in only black natively. If you want color, but don't want to use my dynamics, you will have to edit whatever dynamics you are using (or just create a new one). You want to turn on the color dynamic option. I always choose random, but you can experiment. I'm not sure about the non-animated brushes. I think they may use the foreground color. If not, let me know!***

***NOTE: All the brushes from this download go into gimp's brushes directory. Mine is located here: C:\Users\[UserName]\.gimp-2.8\brushes.***

>> "Palettes" - Four different, custom, eight-color palettes is at your finger tips with the files in this folder. They utilize and expand the colors from the four demonstrated gradients. These are optional, but they may be of good use to you. They go in gimp's palettes directory. Mine is here: \Users\[UserName]\.gimp-2.8\palettes. In this folder are:
	1) "BK_Palettes_Autumn_09Nov2016.gpl" - This palette is made up of reds and an accent color. It's similar to the Autumn gradient.
	2) "BK_Palettes_DeadVegetation_09Nov2016.gpl" - Here, we have a bunch of different browns, plus an accent. It correlates with the Autumn's Decay gradient.
	3) "BK_Palettes_GoldenLeaf_09Nov2016.gpl" - This palette, formed from an accent color and shades of yellows and greens is based loosely on the Golden Leaf gradient.
	4) "BK_Palettes_Vegetation_09Nov2016.gpl" - Here, we have a somewhat muted green palette, plus accent. It resembles the Leaf Green gradient.

>> "Tool-Presets" - This is a folder containing a single file, "BK_Presets_Leaves001_09Nov2016.gtp", which is the preset you will want to have selected when you use your leaf brushes. It has the size, jitter amount, and many other things already ready for you. This is an important file to use with these brushes! It goes in gimp's tool-presets directory. Mine is right here: C:\Users\[UserName]\.gimp-2.8\tool-presets. 

:THE TERMS:

1) Add them to your favorites on DeviantArt if you download them.
2) Do not redistribute any files within the folder "BK_Resources_Gimp_Brushes_Leaves_09Nov2016" without my written permission, modified or otherwise.
3) Do not sell any of the files contained within the folder, "BK_Resources_Gimp_Brushes_Leaves_09Nov2016". Do not modify them to sell them.
4) Do not claim to be their author/creator. 
5) You may use them for any of your work, personal or otherwise. 
6) You do not have to credit me. If you want to, you can. It's always appreciated, but not necessary. 
7) If you have questions regarding any of the files in this download, ask! I might have an answer, or be able to point you to one.
8) RESPECT my work, please! A lot of hard work, effort, research, frustration, and time went into this resource. Please be fair. (Comments, constructive criticism, suggestions, and maybe even requests are welcomed and encouraged. All I ask is that you are considerate and respectful.)

:WHY I MAKE THESE FREE:

I know there is someone out there who really likes these brushes and sees their quality who is asking, "But what's the catch? Why would someone give away something they worked so hard on?" I know it's hard to understand, especially with the terrible uprising of art theft these days, why someone would want to give away something they should be selling. 

The answer is multifaceted: I find pleasure in sharing my work with others and helping others where I can. It gives me the warm fuzzies inside. The more of my work I put out there, the more my name will be recognized. Since my dream is to be a great, professional artist, this is important. There aren't enough completely free, no-strings-attached, use-it-worry-free resources out there in the big, big world of art. I want to help provide resources that do not require crediting or whatnot. I know how hard it is to remember just who or where you got your many, many artistic resources from. Not crediting sources that have copyrights and rules could lead to legal trouble, which is not a fun thing. I have a blast making these resources, and at one point in time I'm the only one in the world with that exact one! But there comes a time when art must do what art is meant to do. One of those things is being shared and enjoyed by many, many people! And if I can help just one artist (or beginning artist) with something I make and publish and give away, then I am satisfied!

:HOW TO CONTACT ME:

If you have an account on DeviantArt.com, you can contact me on there either by commenting on a deviation of mine or my profile itself. You could also just send me a note, which is private. You can find me here: BlazingFirebug.DeviantArt.com.

If you don't have a DeviantArt account, you can just send me an email at this address: BlazingFirebug@gmail.com. 

If you want to show me your work involving my resources, just send me a link to it. You can do this on deviant art by posting a link in the comments section under my resource deviation. If you want, you can even post the link in the comments section on my profile, instead. Or, you could just email the link or the image to me. Either way you prefer.

***NOTE: Please give me a full 24 hours to respond to email before you send a second message. Once I read your message, I WILL respond. If, after the 24 hours, I haven't responded, send another one. I may not have gotten the message. If you're contacting me through DeviantArt, just wait on my response. I don't always check it daily. If I haven't responded to a DeviantArt message within a few days, then send me an email. :)***

:CONCLUSION:

Again, Thank you all for your favorites and downloads and use of my resources and artwork. I really enjoy all the support I get from my fellow Deviants and artists world wide! (I mean, I don't have thousands of followers or anything, but even just one person who likes my work means the world to me!) 

If anyone should have any suggestions, I'm all ears. I'm more confident with my artwork than I have ever been before, and I'm open to trying new things. I might even be willing to do collaborations or commissions or requests. 

I'm all about improving my work and maximizing my full potential. I just need a little push and shove, a little help and input, from others sometimes. 
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