How to create gradient that varies in direction inside a shape.

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
September 26, 2018
5 replies
1041 views

I'm trying to create a gradient effect like on the picture below, where a gradual fade follows the stroke.
I have tried to turn my gradient into a stroke, and to turn the gradient into an art brush, but it looks terrible where the width overlaps, and too controlled.

It will eventually have to be screenprinted, so it will have to be dithered, but I can figure that part out after.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

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Correct answer Myra Ferguson

Draw your curve
Increase the size of your stroke
Apply a gradient to the stroke
Make sure stroke is set to apply to the center (You won't get the option for the next step if the stroke is set to Align Stroke to Outside)
Change gradient to Apply Gradient Across Stroke
Use the Width Tool to vary the size of the stroke to taper it at the ends

Myra Ferguson

Correct answer

Community Expert

Draw your curve
Increase the size of your stroke
Apply a gradient to the stroke
Make sure stroke is set to apply to the center (You won't get the option for the next step if the stroke is set to Align Stroke to Outside)
Change gradient to Apply Gradient Across Stroke
Use the Width Tool to vary the size of the stroke to taper it at the ends

Q

q3player

Inspiring

You could make a blend:

When you have finished your object (left) you do Offset Path, select the inner and outer path and blend. In the screenshot I set the outer path to yellow and the inner path to black.

T

tundek80157223Author

Participant

So far this has been the best response, and when I tried it on simple shapes it worked perfectly,

but this is the shape that I am trying to work with:

and this is what happens when I try to blend is.

I haven't worked much with blends before, so I don't know if i'm missing some essential piece of information, or if in fact my shape is just too complex.

any advice or ideas are HIGHLY appreciated.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

You will probably need to divide this in multiple parts and do them separately. Also: Don't blend strokes, but fills instead. That way it will be easier to fit neighbouring blends.

Simmer1

Community Expert

Hi,

You could also try using the Mesh Tool if you an advanced user and reduce the opacity of the anchor point on the outer edges of the path.

How to use the Mesh Tool in Adobe Illustrator (Mesh Advanced) - YouTube

Monika Gause

Community Expert

Simmer1 schrieb
Hi,
You could also try using the Mesh Tool if you an advanced user and reduce the opacity of the anchor point on the outer edges of the path.
How to use the Mesh Tool in Adobe Illustrator (Mesh Advanced) - YouTube

Good luck with that on the spiky shapes.