In the Layers pane we need to right-click on the layer we have coloured blue and select ‘Add Layer Mask’, stick with the default settings and choose a small, soft-edged Paintbrush.

GIMP 3.0 is finally here, and it's perfect timing really – with creatives everywhere yearning to save money on expensive photo editing and digital art software subscriptions.

New features in GIMP 3 include non-destructive filters, improved text editing, and simpler layer management. Working with filters, layers, and text is much easier in this latest release.

If you read my earlier tutorial on layers and layer masks (see “Fixing Photo Contrast with The GIMP”, LJ, April 2003), you might remember that we can control the blending of layers using a layer mask.

Learn how to blend two images in GIMP using layer opacity, image blend mode and gradient tool over a layer mask.

5 powerful GIMP features I use nearly every day for easy, free photo editing If you didn't think this Photoshop alternative could get any better, wait until you try these tools.