NOTE: This may not work on GIMP. If you find a way to do it, please let me know so I can incorporate it into this tutorial. I’ll give you full credit. Sorry for the inconvenience guys!
The finished product:
![Maple Leaf Background](https://photoshopgimptutorials.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/maple-leaf-background.jpg?w=300&h=168)
Show your pride with the Maple Leaf background (:
NOTE: It may look different, as I made the background above a while ago. I definitely forgot the steps, so please bear with me as the completed project might look a bit different.
Step 1: Create a new document. Size doesn’t matter, but mine is 2560×1440. Set your background colour to white (if it’s not already).
Step 2: Go to Filter > Render > Clouds.
Step 3: Now go to Filter > Pixelate > Mezzotint. For the type, use “long strokes”.
![Step 3](https://photoshopgimptutorials.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/step-32.jpg?w=300&h=255)
Step 4: Go back to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur and set the angle to 90 degrees. Change the distance to 2000.
![Step 4](https://photoshopgimptutorials.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/step-41.jpg?w=271&h=300)
Step 5: Add a new layer and choose “overlay”.
![Step 5](https://photoshopgimptutorials.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/step-51.jpg?w=300&h=129)
Step 6: Choose the gradient tool. On the options bar, you’ll see a bar with colour. Click on it and a screen pops up. In the “presets” box, choose the “blue, yellow, blue” one.
![Step 6](https://photoshopgimptutorials.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/step-61.jpg?w=560)
![Step 6b](https://photoshopgimptutorials.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/step-6b1.jpg?w=293&h=300)
Step 7: Without closing the screen, on the bottom “metre”, click on the first colour square on the bottom and use the colour #e52a2a (red). For the second square ALSO ON THE BOTTOM, choose white. On the very last square ON THE BOTTOM, use the same red (#e52a2a). Click “OK”.
![Step 7](https://photoshopgimptutorials.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/step-72.jpg?w=278&h=300)
Step 8: Now, draw a vertical line starting from the top to the bottom. It should now look like this:
![Step 8](https://photoshopgimptutorials.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/step-8.jpg?w=300&h=168)
Step 9: Now, you need a maple leaf. You can search for one on google, or you can use this one:
![562px-Canada_Maple_Leaf_svg](https://photoshopgimptutorials.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/562px-canada_maple_leaf_svg.png?w=300&h=300)
You NEED to save it or else it WON’T WORK.
To insert the picture, go to File > Place and select the picture. It will appear on your document, do not move it. On the top right of the options bar, click on the checkmark.
Step 10: Make sure you’re selecting the maple leaf picture’s layer. Change the opacity to 70%.
![Step 10](https://photoshopgimptutorials.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/step-10.jpg?w=560)
You’re done! Enjoy your new Maple Leaf background (:
Please leave any commments below, they’re greatly appreciated! Eh, eh?