TUTORIAL ARTICLE

Intermediate

6 min

Take gradients to the next level with color blends that flow

Create freeform gradients to achieve more natural color blending. Punch up your artwork with unique color effects.

What you’ll need
Practice in the app

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What you learned


How freeform gradients are different

Unlike linear and radial gradients that blend colors in a straight line, a freeform gradient creates smooth, flowy color blends. In a freeform gradient, colors can merge along randomly placed points or curvy or straight paths.


Make a freeform gradient

Convert a default gradient drawn with the Gradient tool into a natural color blend. Now you can adjust “color stops,” starting colors that colorize an area, to blend with other color stops.


Create standout color blends

Once a freeform gradient is made, you can customize the position, colors, and spread of the color stops. Move color stops around your shape and watch the blended effect change in real time. Change, add, or delete colors and adjust how colors spread into each other for endless fun.


Design unique effects

Aside from adding color using color stops, you can also create color blends along a curvy or straight path. These gradient lines look like solid contours flowing through your colored shape. You can create effects like none other when combined with soft, natural blends. Try it for yourself!


Instructor

Brian Wood

Adobe Stock Contributors

karnografff

jack1e

Veresovich

February 27, 2023

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