A gradient is a transition from one colour to the other by mixing both colours, although it can also be the degradation of a single colour. Gradients surround us in everyday life, are used in areas like advertising and manifest themselves daily in nature. Anyone who wants to paint a sunset will need to know how to paint a gradientso if you like painting and manualities it is essential that you know and use this resource.
Steps to follow:
1
Start testing a basic gradient with a graphite pencilfirst press intensely and less and less, in a progressive way until it reaches white or the absence of color.
2
If you prefer to do it by colour, you can use any type of painting, from wood pencils to watercolors, crayons, acrylics or oils. You just have to fuse the colours between them.
3
To learn, we advise you to start by practicing with acrylic painting and thick cardboard of about 300 grams specific for acrylic and watercolor. You will be able to find it in specialized plastic arts stores.
4
Try and repeat as many times as you need. This way you’ll be able to dominate when you paint on canvas.
5
Start with one color at one end and another color at the opposite end. Think that the central point where they converge should have the same amount of each color, and when approaching the edges should dominate the color assigned to each side.
6
If the paint is too thick, dilute it with water. so I can mix it more easily.
7
If you are a beginner you can use a color wheel to learn how to mix colors and improve their gradients.
8
Once you master the basic gradient, will be able to draw three-dimensional objects and figures and apply shadows to them through the gradients. That way you’ll learn to bring them volume.
9
Now you can paint gradients on skies and faces. In reality, any object exposed to light tends to reflect a shadow or gradient transition.
10
Experiment with digital image processing programs such as Adobe Photoshop, which allows you to apply filters and gradient layers to images. See how you can apply gradients diagonally, spherically, etc…
If you want to read more similar articles to How to paint a gradientWe recommend that you enter our category of Art and Crafts.
Tips
- Be meticulous about cleaning your brushes if you don’t want to get your gradient dirty.