Playing with Gradients

This week I want to show you a very cool technique for creating some pretty wild effects. We will be focusing on manipulating gradients again, but this time I want you to take a look at a specific blending option, namely Difference Mode.

Create a new image:
9 in wide
5 in high
Black Background
RGB
72 dpi

The reason I've chosen black is simply to demonstrate how incredible the changes are when we apply multiple gradients to the same layer when in difference mode.

Ok, in a new layer, enter some text using the type mask tool. Use a large thick font set to about 120+ points on size. Do you have your selection? Great!
Select the gradient tool. Here are my settings as seen in the options bar:

Apply the gradient from the upper left to the lower right of the type. On a single pass you should have something that looks like this:

Now if we draw our gradient thru the type one more time, this time from upper right to lower left, we get something totally unexpected:

Now try drawing the same gradient thru the layer a few more times. You may even want to change to a radial gradient starting at different points thru the type. I've used this gradient quite a few times now, finally generating an inner fire effect.

Though nice looking, it doesn't accurately demonstrate the color variations possible using this technique. What would happen if we used 2 opposites, such as blue and yellow?

Delete the color from the type, and select the Blue+Yellow gradient. Walk thru the steps above one more time. Now take a look at this:

Now that gives some variation! We can also create some pretty far out backgrounds using this technique. Create a new image with no text in it, again with a black background. In a new layer fill with the copper gradient, but only draw it across a small portion of the image in the center, top to bottom. Re apply the gradient, this time left to right but again with a short stroke, sort of like you were creating an x-y axis.

Watch as our copper changes from this:

to this:

If we invert this layer we see that our copper is still there. This effect looks great on type, interfaces, frames and I've even seen it used as backgrounds for obnoxious websites. Play around with it, get to know it, and I'm sure you will come to love it as I have.