This tutorial is an excerpt from of my More Pizzazz! Special Effects with Photoshop and Elements class at Eclectic Academy. If you want to learn more tricks, please consider enrolling in my class. Don't know how online classes work? Read this!

Sometimes the gradient presets aren't what you need. It's easy to mix your own gradient, and save it for future use.

Open the gradient tool

Elements: The gradient tool is to the right of the paint bucket tool in the toolbox, and the keyboard shortcut is G.

Photoshop: The gradient tool is under the paint bucket tool in the toolbox, and the keyboard shortcut is G.

Choose a gradient type in the options bar. I have linear selected.

Choose a gradient to alter if there is one close to what you want. Otherwise the gradient editor will use the currently selected gradient. In the options bar, click the arrow beside the gradient preview to open the gradient picker. Note: Your gradients may not look like mine, because it depends on the gradient set you have loaded! If you are using Elements you will have an Edit button. If you are using Photoshop, you will not have an Edit button.

Elements	Photoshop

Elements: Click the Edit button next to the gradient preview to open the gradient editor.

Photoshop: Double-click the gradient preview in the options bar to open the gradient editor.

Go to part 2 to see how to edit the gradient.

Go to part 2 --->>>

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5