Welcome to the continuation of the fill tutorial (from another lesson in the series). Choose the gradient tool from the toolbar.
Go to the gradient menu at the top in the options bar and choose the sunset orange gradient.
Now make sure the linear gradient tool is chosen as shown.
Make sure you select the layer that you are going to 'fill' with the gradient in the layers palette. (Another way to create a gradient fill is covered in Basic Photoshop DVD Training).
Now with your gradient tool, swipe at an angle as shown from top to bottom. This is going to fill the layer with the sunset gradient.
Note that it doesn't cover the cactus. This is because the cactus is on its own layer and ABOVE the gradient fill layer in the layers palette. The layers palette represents the order of appearance from top to bottom, correspondingly.
You can hide the top layer of the cactus by turning off the seeing eyeball to show the gradient layer beneath which is taking up all the space and covering even the background layer.
Bring the top layer back and try changing to a blending mode. This mixes the light between the two layers to get them to blend together. Blending modes are covered in depth in Basic Photoshop Training.
Now you have an understanding of creating a new
background using several different tools and basic Photoshop
processes. It's good to have a strong foundation. You're in the
right place.
