Home » Photoshop Basics » 04 - Learn to Draw and Paint
4
Gradient Tools
Gradients are gradations between colors or blends. Gradients add a lot of visual interest to images and break up flat color.
Tina is ready to experiment with the gradations between colors or blends. These give the illusion of light falling on a surface. Let us see the effect created by the gradient tools.
- Current gradient. Shows a preview of the current gradient.
- Linear, Radial, Angle, Reflected, Diamond. These are the types of gradients.
- Blending Modes
- Opacity Indicates how solid or transparent you want the gradient to be.
- Reverse Flips the gradient.
- Dither Adds noise to the gradient to reduce banding.
- Transparency. Makes a part of it transparent.
- To apply a Gradient select the Gradient Tool > Options > Gradient. Select the Gradient from the options.
Click and drag the mouse in the direction you want the gradient to flow. Release the mouse and the gradient is drawn.
Example of Angle Gradient
Note: You can create your own custom gradients. The blending modes can be used to create some interesting effects with gradients.
