A Beginner’s Guide to Creating a Gradient in Photoshop

1. 1
   Press G . This activates the Gradient tool on the toolbar. If you don't see the gradient tool, click and hold the paint bucket until the menu expands, and then click Gradient Tool.
2. 2
   Select Gradient . Once you have the tool activated, you'll see a drop-down menu at the top of your screen with two options:

   • Gradient - this tool adds a new gradient fill layer and lets you update the gradient's color and position as well as the opacity. This is better used in design work, such as adding backgrounds or applying colors.
   • Classic gradient – this adds a destructive gradient layer. You cannot change the settings of this layer, but you can add multiple adjustments. Use this when you're applying gradients to layer masks.
3. 3
   Add a new layer. Click the + in the Layer window to create a new layer since the "Classic gradient" mode does not automatically add a new layer.

   • The "Classic gradient" mode is great for adding masks to layers since it doesn't automatically create a new layer like "Gradient" mode does.
4. 4
   Select your gradient colors or preset options. You'll see a drop-down menu at the top of your screen next to the "Gradient" drop-down menu with options for colors and other presets as well as icons for how your gradient appears. You can't change the gradient after you've created it while using "Classic gradient" mode.

   • Make sure you have Dither checked so there isn't banding in your gradient.
   • Next to the selected gradient in the toolbar you'll see five squares containing patterns. These are for different gradient styles. Here they are, in order:
     • Linear: The classic gradient, like an evening sky. Just a gradual transition between two colors along a straight 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 specifically, this sweeps the colors in a counterclockwise arc around your starting point. Often leads to two solid colors with gradation around the edges.
     • Reflected: Makes a mirror image of a normal linear gradient on both sides of the starting point. Basically, if you draw your "line" to the right, it will repeat the gradient to the left.
     • Diamond: Like the radial gradient, only you have a diamond or square in the middle, not a circle.
5. 5
   Click and drag across the area you want to fill with a gradient. When you lift your mouse, this will add the gradient to the section of the image on which you placed your line.

   • The first click where you start to drag the line will be the first color of the gradient.
   • Where you let go is the second color of the gradient.
     • Once you let go, you have a gradient in Photoshop!
Advertisement

1. 1
   Click the Properties panel while you have the gradient layer selected. Make sure the gradient layer is visible and highlighted to show that you have it selected, then click the Properties icon (it looks like) to open the Properties panel.

   • If you miss the legacy or older version of choosing the gradient fill colors, double-click the gradient fill on the Layers window, then double-click the "Gradient" drop-down menu.
   • All the same options are streamlined in the Properties panel.
2. 2
   Adjust the angle and scale (optional). Use the text box to change the numerical value to alter how the gradient looks.
3. 3
   Change the colors (optional). Although you might've picked a preset earlier, the gradient may not be exactly the colors you want.

   • To change a color in the gradient, double-click the colored dot, and a new window will open. In this new window, you can specify the hex color or use the color wheel to choose the color you like.
   • Click OK when you're done to close the color picker.
     • Alternatively, double-click the color dot on the canvas to access the color picker window instead of going through the Properties panel.
   • Add another color to your gradient by clicking between the two dots in the Properties panel. You can drag the diamond on the canvas to change how the gradient appears.
4. 4
   Change the opacity (optional). If you want to make the gradient fade in or fade out, here's how you can achieve that:

   • The "Opacity" bar mirrors the "Gradient" bar in the Properties panel.
   • Select a dot in the "Opacity" bar and adjust the drop-down next to "Opacity."
Advertisement

What is the gradient tool in Photoshop? The gradient tool lets you create gradual blends with different colors or images. You can apply the gradient tool to mesh two colors together seamlessly, or even create a subtle overlay of two images.

My gradient tool is gone. What do I do? If you can't find your gradient tool, click the paint bucket icon to expand the options. If it's still not there, make sure you're in the Essentials workspace by clicking Window > Workspace > Essentials .

Is there a keyboard shortcut for the gradient tool? You can press G on your keyboard to activate the gradient tool. However, this will only work if the gradient tool was last selected from this toolset. Otherwise, it may default to the paint bucket.