Make a Gradient in Photoshop

In image editing software, gradients are gradual changes of color or tint that sweep over an image or a portion of an image. Gradients can be used to add subtle color changes to an image, such as those caused by shadow, and they can be layered and blended to create interesting effects. To make a gradient in Photoshop, you'll need to use the gradient tool to add linear, radial, angular, reflected, or diamond gradients to a selected area or layer. Basic gradients are straightforward, but you can also customize them further using the Gradient Editor. Please note, however, that you cannot add gradients to bitmap or indexed-color images.[1]

Steps

Adding Basic Gradients to Layers

  1. Create the shape of your gradient with the selection tools. These are the tools with the dotted lines, like the square selection tool or the lasso, that let you set aside a small area of your image. If you don't select anything, your gradient will simply fill the entire layer you're working on.
    • You can make gradients any shape, as long as you can create the selection.
    • If you're just testing things out now, make a small square and work with that.
    • Gradients fill the area they are in. So, if you just create one without the selection tools first you'll fill the whole layer with gradient.
  2. Select the gradient tool. It looks like a small rectangle that fades from black to white. If you can't see it, click and hold on the paint bucket -- they are often stacked on top of one another. Once you click on it, you'll notice the "gradient bar" appears near the top of the screen. This is where you can edit the look of your gradient.
  3. Select the colors for your gradient using the two squares in the bottom right. These are the same squares you use to choose colors for the paintbrush or pencil, and are located at the bottom of your toolbar. Double click each square to change your colors.
    • The front square will be the color your gradient starts. For example, use red.
    • The back square is the color your gradient fades too. For example, use white.
    • The gradient in the top left corner will provide an example of how it will look.
  4. Select the type of gradient you want. Up at the top bar, you'll see several little icons. These are for different gradient styles. Note that not all versions of Photoshop have all of these styles -- these are the most recent as of 2015. The best way to learn them? Just test them all!
    • Linear: The classic gradient, it resembles an evening sky. Just a gradual transition between two colors along a line.
    • Radial: One color starts in the middle, then blooms out in a sphere, gradually changing into the next color. Like looking into the sun. The first color is the "sun" and the second the "sky."
    • Angular: More specific, this sweeps the colors in a counter-clockwise arc around your starting points. Often leads to two solid colors with gradation around the edges.
    • Reflected: Makes a mirror image of a normal linear gradient. Basically, if you draw your "line" to the right, it will repeat the gradient to the left. You will get a reflected gradient. In this case, you would have three "bars:" white, red, then white again.
    • Diamond: Like the radial gradient, only you have a diamond or square in the middle, not a circle.[1]
  5. Click and hold to set the starting point of the gradient. Think of this as the place where you first color is strongest. This is where you have nothing but red. Remember, the gradient will fill the shape it is in. You don't have to put this right on the edge to make it fit.
    • You don't even have to click in your selection area or layer. If you want the fade to start "off-screen," click off-screen. This can lead to more subtle fades.[2]
    • Don't release the mouse button until you're ready to set the gradient.
  6. Move your mouse in the direction you want the gradient, then release. You'll see a line follow you from your starting point, indicating the direction the colors will fade. Release the mouse to create your gradient.
    • Longer lines will create more gradual transitions.
    • Shorter lines will have abrupt changes between the two colors.[3]
  7. Use gradients to create transitions anywhere. Gradients are incredibly powerful tools in Photoshop. They are not just ways to create nifty fading colors, they can create any sort of transition or blending effect. You can use them with Transparency layers to slowly fade two layers together. Gradients can layer over text. You can use low-opacity gradients to artfully color images, even transition into black and white. Remember, anything you have selected can have a gradient applied to it.[4]

Customizing your Gradients.

  1. In the Tool panel, click the Gradient tool. You can set presets. You can create precise color arraignments. You can even edit preexisting gradients to perfect them. To view the Gradient Editor, select the gradient tool like normal. Then click the example gradient that appears in the bar at the top of your screen. You should see:
    • A variety of preset gradients
    • An example gradient with adjustable sliders.
    • Opacity and layering information.
    • Options to make a new gradient, load old ones, or save a creation.[1]
  2. Click the gradient you want to edit. You can also manage the presets, or edit the current gradient you have. This allows you to perfect your gradient before applying it. If you have more than one layer, make sure to select the layer with the gradient.
  3. Change the colors by clicking the little stoppers underneath the example gradient. You can add more by clicking along the line. In the Gradient Editor, about halfway down, you'll see a bar with an example of the gradient in it. Underneath are two gray stoppers, which you can click on to change the colors.
    • Double click on the line to add another stopper. You can add as many as you want.
    • Click and drag a stopper down the screen to delete it. You can also click and press the Delete key.
  4. Change the opacity by clicking the little stoppers above the example gradient. These little blocks change how solid the colors are, and can be lowered or raised however you want. They default to 100% opacity.
    • Like the color stoppers, you can add more for more complex gradients. Do this by right-clicking.
  5. Adjust the diamond in the middle to set the midpoint. This is where the two colors meet, each at 50% strength. You can slide this diamond between any two color stoppers to set the middle point.
  6. Adjust the "smoothness" of the gradient to get rainbow-like spots of color. A "rough" gradient picks random colors for each spot that have similar values to your two end colors. The result looks a bit like a bookshelf, with slots of each color instead of one smooth, unbroken transition.[5]
    • You can adjust this further by clicking "Noise" from the Gradient Type pop-up menu.
  7. Save any gradients you love for later, or get more for free online. Gradient presets can be incredibly powerful. So don't do the work twice! If you make one you like, hit save. You can also go online and look up "Gradient Preset Packs." There are thousands of options, and all you have to do is download the small file to your desktop. You then "Load" them into Photoshop using the button in the gradient editor.[6]

Tips

  • The best way to learn the intricacies of anything on Photoshop is to open a blank page and just play with the tool.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/gradients.html
  2. ↑ http://www.adobepress.com/articles/article.asp?p=2240988&seqNum=5
  3. ↑ http://www.creativebloq.com/photoshop/how-use-gradient-tool-6133333
  4. ↑ http://www.macworld.com/article/2992537/software-photography/five-uses-for-gradient-masks-in-photoshop-photoshop-elements-and-pixelmator.html
  5. ↑ https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/gradients.html
  6. ↑ http://www.brusheezy.com/gradients/17330-the-ultimate-gradients-pack-1
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