Tutorial to producing a gradient in Photoshop

We use gloss, gradients, or drop shadows it’s because we’re trying to manipulate our eye into thinking the 2D screen  is a lush 3D landscape filled with volume, depth, and light sources.1) websites, 2) blogs, and 3) web applications, the one common thread is the idea of manipulation.

Three blocks with various gradients applied, check them out the differences:

Producing a Gradient in Photoshop.

There is a dedicated gradient tool in Photoshop, but just like with anything “obvious” it turns out to be anything but. There are multiple ways of producing a gradient in Photoshop.

Step 1: Fill Your Base Layer

I like to use a Foreground->Transparent gradient, and to work with that you need a color to show through the bottom transparent area. To start, make a New Layer (Shift+Cmd+N, Mac) and fill it with a color a bit on the dark side.

Dark Red Color.

Step 2: Make Your Gradient Layer

Make a New Layer again, name it something different from your base layer, make sure it’s on top of the previous layer.

Step 3: Pick Your Lighter Color

Your foreground color should still be the dark red you selected in Step 1. Click on the foreground square to bring up your color palette, and then select a secondary color that is lighter and slightly less saturated. Keep your second color close to your first, just so your gradient is subtle and not as jarring:

Second Red Color.

Step 4: Make Your Gradient

You now have a solid color base layer, and a highlight color you’re about to use as your gradient. There are many ways to use the Gradient tool, however I highly suggest only using the Foreground->Transparent mode because you can control it the best, and we’ll be using that mode here. Select your Gradient tool (part of the Paint Bucket Fill tool if that’s already selected) and make sure the top toolbar looks like this:

Gradient Toolbar.

These settings mean: 1) Foreground->Transparent gradient type, 2) Linear gradient orientation, 3) Normal mode, 4) Full opacity to start, 5) Transparency is turned On. The two most important are the first and the last: make sure that Foreground->Transparent is selected, and that your gradient is free to turn transparent at the end.

The gradient tool works by dragging a line across the area you want to apply the gradient. In a normal, linear, FG->TRANS gradient, your foreground color will start at your first point and will become transparent by the end point.  Varying the length of your gradient, the degree tilt, and the placement of the start will allow you to tweak various parts in order to get it perfect. Here’s a screenshot of my gradient, with the start and end points indicated:

Final Gradient.

Here are some review points:

* Make it subtle, not drastic.

* Keep your color intact, don’t lose saturation.

* Use multiple layers for maximum flexibility, combine after you’re fully satisfied.

-Credits: 9rules.com