Using layers for GIMP lineart editing?

Question

I've been told that using layers in the GIMP is a good way to color in lineart because they allow one to color beneath the lines. Do any of you know how this is done?

Answer 1

Dialogs-layers
Add a new layer to your project.
With the links and the eye icons next to the layers name in the list you can choose which layers you see and work on one at a time.
There is ahelp book that can be downloaded from www.gimp.com too.
:)

Answer 2

You can only draw on one layer at a time, i.e. the layer you have selected. That's how layers work. This is how I colour a line drawing. Open your sketch, or black and white line drawing, create a new transparent layer, change the layer mode in the layers dialog to "multiply". Now start colouring on the new layer, and the black lines will still show through from the layer below.