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Tricks for efficient gradient fills


MeNoSmart

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Hi, there. This is my first post on photoshopgurus. I do cartoon maps of towns and properties. I enjoy all aspects except doing trees. My process goes as such: I pencil draw the area and then trace with a black art pen. I then scan it in. From there I do clean up in photoshop of lines and I close any missing gaps so I can use the bucket fill to drop colors into areas. With trees this is a very tedious thing to do, expecially making sure every black line is connected. Also with trees I select the inside with the magic wand and drop gradients in. I want a different look and a less laborious task. When I look at similar artwork from other people I want to do the same technique as them but don't know an efficient way to do it. They have filled trees with a radius gradient but didn't have to outline their shape in all black to contain it. Yet they somewhat retain the same shape even though it can leak outside of the lines. Which I like the look of. Does anyone know how I can acheive this look in a timely manner? Thanks for all your input.Screenshot 2015-02-11 11.37.30.pngScreenshot 2015-02-11 11.43.20.png How can I accomplish the look of the first tree?
 
Hey MNS and welcome to PSG.

If you have a tree.........

Screen Shot 2015-02-11 at 1.17.09 PM.png

They should be in two separate layers......

the tree color......

Screen Shot 2015-02-11 at 1.18.34 PM.png

and the tree outline......

Screen Shot 2015-02-11 at 1.18.42 PM.png

Screen Shot 2015-02-11 at 1.19.46 PM.png

To add a gradient, create a new layer between the tree outline and the tree color.
Cmd/Cntrl + click the tree colors thumbnail. This will make a selection.

Screen Shot 2015-02-11 at 1.21.45 PM.png

Then add the gradient to the selection.....

Screen Shot 2015-02-11 at 1.22.53 PM.png

Cmd/Cntrl + D to deselect.

Easy. This is of course exaggerated and dark for demo.
Screen Shot 2015-02-11 at 1.23.59 PM.png

Screen Shot 2015-02-11 at 1.25.14 PM.png
 
You can then quickly adjust the opacity.

This will also work for the trunks......

Screen Shot 2015-02-11 at 1.41.43 PM.png

Screen Shot 2015-02-11 at 1.41.57 PM.png

When your done with that tree...........group that trees layers, give it a name, start on the next tree.

Screen Shot 2015-02-11 at 1.44.18 PM.png
 
it's like Iamsam says , you have to work on 2 layers
if the toplayer has the outlines , you can work on the bottomlayer with only brushes even without using selections
 

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