Step 1: Download Tree Image

The image can be found here; download the 1280x960 JPG.

You may also choose to use your own photograph. I recommend trying it out with the example image first. Keep in mind that when using your own image, you’ll most likely have to work with a different brush color. And, depending on the size of your image, adjustments to offset values may also be needed.

Step 2: Open & Zoom

Open image in GIMP. Zoom in on the section that you would like to carve. A large, smooth section of bark will work best.

Step 3: Paintbrush

The default foreground color is black. We want to change it to a specific shade of brown.

Click on the current foreground color. A ‘Change Foreground Color’ dialogue box should appear.
In the ‘HTML notation’ section, enter the value 694214.
Select ‘OK’.

Select the Paintbrush Tool. Change the brush to ‘1.Pixel’ and the size to ‘1.5 px’.

Step 4: Draw the “Carving”

Create a new layer. By default, the new layer will be named “Layer”.
On the new layer, use the paintbrush tool to draw the image you would like to have carved into the tree. Use straight lines and long strokes to make the “carving” look more authentic.

Step 5: Adding a Bit of Texture

Right-click on the "Layer" layer and select ‘Alpha to Selection’. The contents of your drawing will be selected.
Go to Filters > Map > Displace.
- In the dialogue box, set both X and Y displacement to 10 px.
- In each drop-down menu, select the background image with the trees.
Select ‘OK’.

Step 6: Drop Shadow

Right-click on the "Layer" layer and select ‘Alpha to Selection’.
Go to Select > Invert
Go to Filters > Light and Shadow > Drop Shadow.
- Enter the following values in the dialogue box:
  - Offset X: 2
  - Offset Y: 2
  - Blur radius: 4
  - Color: Should already be black; if not, change it to black.
  - Opacity: 100
  - Allow resizing: Uncheck this box
After selecting ‘OK’, a “Drop Shadow” layer will be created.
Go to Select > None to deselect everything.