What it does
GIMP is a free, open-source raster editor for Linux, Mac and Windows. Its painting tools include configurable brushes, tablet dynamics and a hard-edged Pencil tool for precise pixels. It also handles photo correction and layered compositions, with XCF project saving and separate image exports.
Tune the mark and the movement separately
Brush Spacing changes the distance between repeated marks. Smooth Stroke changes the path of the line, reducing wobble; raising its Weight too far can make the movement rigid. Dynamics can map brush behaviour to tablet input, with some options also working with a mouse.
For small pixel artwork, choose Pencil. It removes the soft edge and anti-aliasing even when the selected brush is fuzzy. Click once, hold Shift and click again to draw a straight segment.
Save the project before exporting
Save keeps the editable image in XCF, including layers and transparency but not undo history. Export writes a delivery format such as PNG. Exporting does not change the working image, so retain XCF alongside the output when the illustration may need another pass.
Strengths
- Brush spacing and stroke smoothing solve different drawing needs
- Pencil gives precise hard-edged marks
- Export leaves the working project intact
Watch out for
- XCF files are not readable by most image-viewing programs
- Saved projects do not retain undo history
Best for
- Raster illustration with detailed brush control
- Pixel art that needs exact edges
- Drawing combined with photo manipulation
Sources
- GIMP official platform and open-source overview (Oct 27, 2026)
- GIMP paint-tool spacing, dynamics and smoothing (Oct 27, 2026)
- GIMP Pencil edges and line controls (Oct 27, 2026)
- GIMP saving, exporting and project information limits (Oct 27, 2026)