Title: Gradient Overlays
Program(s): Any program that lets you do gradients and lets you lower the opacity of a layer
Description: This tut will teach you how to create a gradient overlay on a graphic
Written by: © Nicolette

In this tut you will turn this:

To This:


First things first, for this tutorial I'm gonna use PSP8. As I said above, this tut will also work on any other program that lets you do gradients and lets you lower the opacity of a layer, but it may not work the same as I explain in this tutorial.

This effect is pretty handy, especially if you want to spice up a boring graphic :D. The gradient overlay is not big of an effect, and not too small either ;-).


What ever you are making, an enter sign or a guild layout, the gradient overlay will work. By now, you probably have made your graphic and are ready to make the overlay. Now, this is a must, you have to make a new layer. Go to layers>new raster layer to do so. Name the layer "Overlay" so you know which layer is the overlay and then click "OK".


Now after all that prep, you are ready to do the overlay! First, choose the paint bucket tool (you should all know what that is XD). Then click the first color in the colors palette (it doesn't matter what color it is) and a window should pop up with [obviously] colors. Click on the second tab which should say: Gradient. Click on the arrow next to the current color you are using and choose any gradient color you'd like. I chose "Rainbow Pastel". After you have chosen, click "OK".


Now fill in your graphic with the gradient color (using the Paint Bucket tool). Most of your graphic (or all of it) should be filled with the gradient color you chose (in my case, rainbow pastel). After that, go to layers>properties. Where it says "Opacity", change it to any number 40-70. You will notice that the higher the number, the more you can see your color. When you've done that, click "OK".


Whoo Hoo! You are now done. All you have to do is save it, by obviously going to file>save. If you encounter any trouble, or you see that I have wrong information, email me at kangaroo@gmail.com. Peace =)

~Nicolette