Making Fire on Black
By:unnamed Art
Using: Gimp v2.6.8
(Experienced Gimp users need to only follow the Bold text)
Ok, we will start by making a new image with a black background.
Location: Image Window > File > New.
Shortcut: Control + N
Set your new Image properties and click OK.
It's a good idea to save your image at this point already.
That way you can simply use the save short-cut key (Control + S) while you work.
Next we will add some text with the text-tool 
which is located in your Toolbox Window,
Shortcut T.
After you have added your text, set your text color to Orange. HTML Notation #ffc348
Next you will set the border of your Orange text layer. You can do this in one of two ways:
- Right-click your text layer on the Layers Window and select Layer to Image Size from the drop-down menu.
- Or, Select Layer > Layer to Image Size in the Image Window.
Make a Duplicate of the txtGlow layer.
Right-Click the Duplicate layer in your Layers Window and select Alpha to Selection from the Drop-Down menu.
Add a pattern called (Orange swiss cheese?) to the Duplicated layer:
- Press Control + Shift + P to open the patterns dialog in the Layers Window
- Select the pattern and drag it onto the selected text in the Image Window
Rename this layer to something descriptive like txtPattern.
Next Deselect the Alpha to selection by pressing Control + Shift + A.
Make a Duplicate of the txtPattern layer and set its Mode (located on the Layer Window) to Screen.
Rename the Screen layer to something descriptive like txtScreen.
Make another Duplicate of the txtGlow layer this time and make it white by selecting Colors > Brightness-Contrast in the Image Window
and setting the Brightness to 127, and also the Contrast to 127.
Next we want to add a motion blur.
You can do this by going to Filters > Blur > Motion Blur in the Image window.
The settings for the Motion Blur should be, Blur Type=linear,
Blur Parameters=length +-50, Angle +- 83,
Click OK to apply the Motion blur.
Next we will use the smudge tool 
located in the Toolbox Window, to make the flame shape.
Click and Drag the Smudge Tool on the Motion Blurred Layer to create flame like shapes.
Use your creativity to create the kind of flames you desire.
After we Smudged it we will move this layer under the txtGlow layer on the Layers Window and rename it to something like flame1.
Next make a Duplicate of the flame1 layer,
set its Opacity to 34 (the Opacity is located on the Layers Window) and Move the layer up a few pixels in the Image Window using the move tool,
located in the Toolbox Window.
Rename the layer to something descriptive like Smoke.
Make another Duplicate of the flame1 layer and move it one layer higher than the Smoke layer on the Layers Window.
Set its color to Orange.
Location Image Window > Colors > Colorize.
And then set its Mode to Color.
Rename the layer to something descriptive like flame1 color and make a Duplicate of it.
Next, its (Optional to give the txtGlow layer a blur).
Remember to have the txtGlow layer selected and then go to Filters > Blur > Blur, located in the Image Window.
You can set the Horizontal and Vertical Blur Radius to about 10,
This amount will vary depending on the image size.
After blurring the txtGlow layer make a Duplicate of the flame1 layer.
Move the new Duplicated Layer higher than all the other layers in the Layers Window.
Resmudge that layer for a slightly different flame look.
Set its Mode to Saturation and Rename the layer to something descriptive like flame2.
Make a Duplicate of the flame2 layer and set its Mode to Normal.
Next we will set the new duplicated layers color to baby blue, Image Window > Colors > Colorize.
Rename it to something descriptive like flame2 color and set its Mode to Divide .
Save your Image and there you have it, you're done.
