Monday, November 13, 2023

How to Make a Gradient in Photoshop

How to Make a Gradient in Photoshop

Today let's take a quick look at how to make a gradient in Photoshop using the new and improved Gradient tool. The Photoshop gradient tool got a huge update in 2024, making it completely non-destructive and live. You can easily learn how to add a gradient in Photoshop to an existing image! Let's take a look. 

How to Create a Gradient in Photoshop

Step 1

The Gradient tool can be found in the left-hand toolbar or by pressing G. 

The Gradient tool can be found in the left hand toolbarThe Gradient tool can be found in the left hand toolbarThe Gradient tool can be found in the left hand toolbar

Step 2

In the upper Options bar, you can select a Preset gradient and the Style, although these can also be changed later.

To create the initial gradient, click and drag on the canvas. In the below example, I dragged from top to bottom. 

To create the initial Gradient click and drag on the canvasTo create the initial Gradient click and drag on the canvasTo create the initial Gradient click and drag on the canvas

Step 3

You can adjust the placement and angle of the gradient by clicking and dragging the outer Anchor Points and Path.

You can come back and edit the placement, style, and color of a Gradient layer for as long as the Gradient layer is not rasterized. Gradient Fill layers are considered non-destructive. 
adjust the placement and angle of the gradient by clicking and dragging the outer Anchor Pointsadjust the placement and angle of the gradient by clicking and dragging the outer Anchor Pointsadjust the placement and angle of the gradient by clicking and dragging the outer Anchor Points

Step 4

You can adjust the spread of the gradient's color by clicking and dragging the Color Midpoint, found between any two colors.

In our below example, there are only two colors, so we have one Color Midpoint. A new Color Midpoint will be added between any two colors. 
adjust the spread of the gradients' color by clicking and dragging the Color Midpointadjust the spread of the gradients' color by clicking and dragging the Color Midpointadjust the spread of the gradients' color by clicking and dragging the Color Midpoint

Step 5 

You can find more gradient controls in the Window > Properties panel when the Gradient layer is active. Here we can choose a new Preset, change its Style, and place more colors onto our gradient. 

To add a new color to your gradient, click right below the Gradient Bar. It will create a Color Stop in the shade of your Foreground color.

To change a color, double-click the Color Stop to open the Color Picker and select a new color.  

You can find more gradient controls in the Window > Properties panelYou can find more gradient controls in the Window > Properties panelYou can find more gradient controls in the Window > Properties panel

Step 6

To remove a color from a gradient, select the Color Stop and hit Delete.   

remove a color from a gradient select the Color Stop and hit Deleteremove a color from a gradient select the Color Stop and hit Deleteremove a color from a gradient select the Color Stop and hit Delete

Step 7

If you need to learn how to add a gradient to an image in Photoshop, here are the details. You can adjust the Opacity of the gradient in different locations using the Opacity Controls. The Opacity Controls work just like the Gradient Color Controls.

  • Select an Opacity Stop to adjust its Opacity.
  • Move the Opacity Stop by clicking and dragging.
  • Add more Opacity Stops by clicking below the Opacity Controls bar. 
  • Delete and Opacity Stop by selecting the stop and hitting Delete. 
adjust the Opacity of the gradient in different locations using the Opacity Controlsadjust the Opacity of the gradient in different locations using the Opacity Controlsadjust the Opacity of the gradient in different locations using the Opacity Controls
remove the Opacity of certain parts of a gradient remove the Opacity of certain parts of a gradient remove the Opacity of certain parts of a gradient
Woman in Bikini Standing with Surfboard

That's How to Make a Gradient in Photoshop

The Photoshop Gradient tool, one of the oldest tools in Photoshop, was long overdue for a refresh. You no longer have to click and undo repeatedly to get the perfect gradient. With the enhanced gradient layer, you can now edit your gradient for as long as you want. Adjust the style, colors, and opacity to your heart's content. Get ready to unleash your creativity and enjoy the newfound flexibility this amazing tool brings!

Looking to learn more? Check out these Photoshop tutorials: 


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