How to Blend Two Gradients in Photoshop

The “Gradient” tool in Adobe Photoshop allows you to create a color landscape that gradually blends one color into another, sometimes encompassing multiple colors to form a diagonal, circular or other type of pattern. For example, you can create a sunset effect by applying a gradient with yellow and red. For a more multifaceted effect, you can blend multiple gradients into one another, creating different combinations of kaleidoscopic patterns.

Instructions

1. Create a new Photoshop document. Open Adobe Photoshop, click “File” on the menu bar and select “New” from the drop-down menu. Using the pop-up menu, you can select a size and resolution for your image, and then click “OK.”

2. Click the “Foreground Color” box at the bottom of your “Tools” palette to select the first color in your gradient. The “Foreground Color” box overlaps with the “Background Color” box, and appears in the front. When you click it, a “Color Picker” palette will appear. Click any color to make your selection. Afterward, do the same with the “Background Color” box to select the second color in your gradient.

3. Click the “Gradient” tool on your “Tools” palette. It looks like a rectangular box with black to gray shading. When you select the tool, your gradient options will appear at the top of your screen. Choose your gradient pattern by selecting a pattern image from the “Options” panel. For example, you can select a circular gradient by clicking the image containing the circular shading pattern.

4. Click your mouse inside your project window and drag it in any direction. Release the mouse button to apply your gradient. You can stretch and position the gradient in different ways by changing the location and distance in which you drag your mouse. Try dragging your mouse multiple ways until you find the perfect gradient. To undo a gradient, click “Edit” on the menu bar and select “Undo.” Then try again until it looks just right.

5. Create a new Photoshop layer to build a second gradient directly on top of the first. Locate your “Layers” palette, indicated by the word “Layers,” and click the icon in the lower region of the window that resembles a folded sheet of paper. If you do not see the palette, click “Window” at the top of your screen and select “Layers” from the drop-down list.

6. Click two new colors (if you so desire) on your “Tools” palette and apply a second gradient. It will completely cover your original gradient for now, but that will be fixed momentarily.

7. Drag your layer’s “Opacity” slider to the left. You will find this at the top of the “Layers” palette. As you drag the slider, your gradient will become increasingly transparent, and the original gradient will emerge from underneath. Continue to drag the slider until you have just the right balance of colors.

References

• Bloomsburg University Department of Instructional Technology: Lesson 23 - Photoshop Gradients