In this tutorial, you'll learn how to make a sig with a gradient effect. You can skip the effect, if you'd like.

 What You Need:
-GIMP 2.0 (This may work on other programs, but GIMP is recommended. It's FREE)
-A Picture (optional)
-Eltops Bryce Set 2 (This is optional, and you can use other brushes,but this one really stands  out. Don't download it until I say so in the tut. )

Credit goes to:
IWN- for helping me learn about GIMP and for her helpful tut
Psy- For his helpful beginner tutorial

 First, go to:  http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/24155542/?q=GIMP+brushes+boost%3Apopular+age_sigma%3A24h+age_scale%3A5+in%3Aresources%2Fapplications%2Fgimpbrushes&qo=255    I'm sorry if that's not a link. if it isn't, copy and paste it into the box at the top. Click download, which looks like a computer screen. Then, click open (or whatever your computer's term is for that). When a window opens, click Extract all files, then click next, then next, and finally finish. A new window should open, keep it open.
  Now, open the GIMP, and go to File>Preferences>Folders>Brushes. Click the folded page, and then the part with 3 dots. Go to the window that you downloaded,and find where that is. Open it on GIMP on the window your on. Check the little box with your downloaded brush. It should look like this:



Got it? =) Okay, press okay, close the little message, then close the downloaded window, and finally close GIMP and then re-open it. Now, go to File>New and set the size. I'm using 490X230. Now, go to the brushes and find the Eltops Bryce ones. Go ahead and get creative by putting brushes wherever.



Not much color, but that comes in later  Oh, and by the way, if you want yours dark like mine, click each stroke twice. And remember, you can use any brush you want!

 Now, open a picture. Click the lasso tool and click feather edges. Set it to around 40, and then go around your picture. When your done, right click the picture and go to edit then copy it. Then go to yor signature and paste it. If it's too big or too small, then right click it, go to layer, and click scale layer. If its too small, make the first number bigger, if its big, set it smaller. Then, move your picture to where you want it.



Great! So now we'll be working on the text. Click your big "T" and pick a font, size, and make the color grey. If you want, you can type something with a light grey, and then type the same a little higher with a dark grey, like this:



Now,  I don't recommend making a border, but if you want,you can pick a color, click Select> All and click Edit> stroke selection. Mine would be good with 20.



now, time for the finishing touch. Go to the gradient part of GIMP, and use the first full saturation spectrum. Set your offset to about 36. Then, add a transparent layer and make a slanted line across your picture with it and let go. Go to Dialogs>Layers, set your new layer to Overlay, then drag it to the top of the layers. Wala!



My Result:

Best sig ever, I think! Remember, if yours is a litle lighter, then use each brush twice in the same spot next time. ;)

Please post your results and questions!! =D