Make a Gradient Follow a path and Fill a Shape

[SynThought]

So, I'm trying to make a gradient follow a path and then fill up a shape I've drawn with the pen tool that is curved like a crescent moon, changing color from one end to the other. Is there any way to easily achieve this with Illustrator?

[tromboniator]

1. In the Gradient panel build a gradient with the colors you want.

2. With the Pen Tool, draw a path that more or less follows the middle of the crescent shape.

3. Apply the gradient to the stroke of the drawn path, set to go along the path.

4. Set stroke width wide enough to cover widest part of crescent.

5. Send path to back.

6. Select crescent and stroke

7, Menu Object > Clipping Mask > Make

[tromboniator]

Or select the crescent shape, and in the Tools bar click on Draw Inside, then draw the middle path with the Pen Tool, apply the gradient stroke, and adjust the stroke width.

[Jacob Bugge]

MP,

In addition to what Peter said, to create the middle path, you can copy the closed path beneath/on top of itself, then cut the copy path at the sharp ends, then reverse either open path and create a one step blend between them, then expand the blend and delete the outer paths and apply the gradient to the new path.

[tromboniator]

And, in addition to what Jacob said (Hi, Jacob!), I often like to do this sort of thing with a gradient mesh, but that's not everyone's idea of "easily".

[Jacob Bugge]

Hi Peter.

Some of us are up late.

[tromboniator]

Some of us are non-diurnal.

[Jacob Bugge]

Indeed, Peter.

[Lhemz0527]

This was already answered previously: Making a gradient follow a path

Just to demonstrate step 3 mentioned by tromboniator​

Select the Path,

Activate the stroke color.

Then, Click the 2nd Stroke options as shown below:

Image taken from post : Making a gradient follow a path

[Lhemz0527]

...halfway across the globe. pearl of the orient seas.

[IBDrelief]

Since this question was posted Adobe have added "Freeform gradient"