1. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3
Gradients and Filters
By Antonio Cribari

2. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3 – Gradients and Filters
Objective: You will learn how to use some basic image filters
and how to use the Gradient Tool to improve the effects of
your work.
Requirements: You must have Adobe Photoshop CS3 or higher.
(The interface is not exactly same for older versions)

3. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3 – Gradients and Filters Step 1
Step-by-Step
To get started, make a 500 x 500 pixel canvas.

4. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3 – Gradients and Filters Step 2
Step-by-Step
Click on the Gradient Tool. This tool should be located under the
eraser tool. If you see the Paint Bucket Tool instead of the Gradient
Tool, right click it and select Gradient Tool.

5. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3 – Gradients and Filters Step 3
Step-by-Step
For this tool, you should see new properties at the top right of the
screen. These properties have different functions on how the
Gradient Tool will work.
The Circled area is used to change the colors that the Gradient Tool
uses. Click on the arrow and check out the default color setups. For
this example I will use the transition of Black to White.

6. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3 – Gradients and Filters Step 4
Step-by-Step
This tool allows for different ways of applying a gradient shape. The
red circle points out the gradient shape selector. Pick a shape that
you wish to use.
For this example, I will use the Linear Gradient.
(You can hover over the different shapes to get the name of each
one.)

7. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3 – Gradients and Filters Step 5
Step-by-Step
With the Gradient Tool selected, click and hold your mouse in an
area of the canvas, and drag to place your gradient in that desired
direction.
The picture represents how the direction matters with the Gradient
Tool.

8. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3 – Gradients and Filters Step 6
Step-by-Step
Once you get used to the use of the Gradient Tool, try clicking on
the Gradient Color picker again, only this time click on the bar of
color, and not the arrow.

9. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3 – Gradients and Filters Step 7
Step-by-Step
When clicking on the Gradient Color changer, you will be greeted
with a window like the one shown below known as the Gradient
Editor. You can add what are called “stops” on the gradient bar to
add a new color transition. Experiment with different colors, and
when you get the hang of it move on to the next step.

10. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3 – Gradients and Filters Step 8
Step-by-Step
Once you get the hang of making gradients, click on the gradient
color picker, and select the gradient colors shown below. Use the
linear Gradient for this step.

11. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3 – Gradients and Filters Step 9
Step-by-Step
Now use the gradient tool as shown below. Click and hold at the top of
the canvas, and move the mouse to the bottom of the canvas while
holding Shift. (Shift will allow for a perfectly straight line)

12. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3 – Gradients and Filters Step 10
Step-by-Step
Now let’s learn how to use a filter. At the top of the window on the
menu bar, click on Filter -> Artistic -> Colored Pencil…

13. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3 – Gradients and Filters Step 11
Step-by-Step
A new window will pop-up, known as the Artistic Filters Menu. On the
far right side is the area where you can configure how the filter will
work. In the center area is the filters selection menu (circled in red
below), and on the far left is a preview of your image with the filter
applied to it.
For this step, click on the “Cutout”
Filter.

14. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3 – Gradients and Filters Step 12
Step-by-Step
Now let’s set the configuration for this filter. Use the settings specified
in the picture below.

15. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3 – Gradients and Filters Step 13
Step-by-Step
After applying the filter, your gradient should now look something
similar to this. Using the Artistic Filters can apply a design that appeals
more than just a solid color.
You may close this project file if you
wish.

16. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3 – Gradients and Filters Completed
Conclusion
This concludes Lesson 3, and you should now be able to work more
efficiently using Gradients and Filters. Here is a list of what you should know
after viewing this lesson.
• How to identify and use the Gradient Tool
• How to make/change the colors of a gradient.
• How to change the type of gradient (Linear/Radial/Angle/etc.)
• How to place a directional gradient
• How to apply artistic filters
• How to configure artistic filters

17. Adobe Photoshop
Lesson 3 – Gradients and Filters Review
On-Your-Own
Now that you know how to work with Gradients and Filters in Adobe
Photoshop, complete the following tasks below. You may refer any
previous lessons at any time for help.
1. Create a 500 x 500 pixels canvas project
2. Create a New Layer, name it “Gradient”
3. Place a linear Red/Green gradient with any direction of choice.
4. Add a Sketch Filter to the gradient with the following properties:
1. Sketch -> Halftone Patterns
2. Size: 5 Contrast: 10 Pattern Type: Circle
5. Add an Artistic Filter to the gradient with the following properties.
1. Artistic -> Sponge
2. Brush Size: 2 Definition: 20 Smoothness: 6
This concludes the exercise for working with Gradients and Filters.