Photoshop in 60 Seconds: How to Use the Gradient Tool

Asian Girl stock image — Image credit: PhotoDune.

Welcome to our Photoshop in 60 Seconds series, in which you can learn a Photoshop skill, feature, or technique in just a minute!

Photoshop in 60 Seconds: The Gradient Tool

Our world is a realm of ever-changing hues and tones. Perfect solid colors are rare at best. If you ever want your illustrations to be realistic in Photoshop, you will have to get used to the Gradient Tool. There's no better way to create a smooth transition of color. In this 60-second video, I'll show you exactly how it works!

How to Use the Gradient Tool in Photoshop

The Gradient Tool is a way to create gradients.

Using the Gradient Tool in Adobe Photoshop

The Gradient Editor allows for the selection of Preset Gradients or the creation of a Custom Gradient.

Using Gradients with the Gradient Editor

These custom gradients are created by adjusting the stops of the Gradient Control Bar. The stops below the Gradient Bar are each assigned an individual color.

Assigning Colors to Gradients with the Control Bar

Once the gradient is created, you can use the Gradient Tool to actually draw the gradient on the canvas.

Drawing a Gradient with the Gradient Tool

Want to see this in action? Check out the video above to see this lesson at work!

A Bit More Detail

Want to learn more about Adobe Photoshop's vast tools and settings? Check out these tutorials below:

60 Seconds?!

This is part of a series of quick video tutorials on Envato Tuts+ in which we introduce a range of subjects, all in 60 seconds—just enough to whet your appetite. Let us know in the comments what you thought of this video and what else you’d like to see explained in 60 seconds!