Photoshop 6 or Higher: Create and Paint with Styles

Step 2: Begin building the style

The person who inspired this tutorial was specifically interested in "painting with gradients" and I replied that gradients can be added with layer styling.

To start building your style, double click on your layer. The layer style window will open. Click on the "Gradient Overlay" box. Be sure to click also on the words "Gradient Overlay" to open up the Gradient Overlay control panel.

To change the gradient, double click on the gradient itself. It will bring up the Gradient Editor.

The top row of boxes (or "stops") control opacity. Click on the gradient to add a new stop. Black is opaque and white is transparent. Different shades of gray create different levels of opacity.

The bottom row of stops is the color control. Click on the stop color to change a specific stop's color. Click on the gradient to create a new stop.

When finished creating a new gradient, give it a name and click "New." The newly save gradient will show up in the presets at the top of the window.

Step 3 >>>