Sick and tired of all those old plain backgrounds?

Want to have an unusual blend of colours and patterns?

Then, let's have a look at gradients.

The steps:

1. Select File, New

2. Pick a size - lets just start with 256 x 256 pi xels and click OK

3. Now, select the Gradient (Blend) Tool - see toolbox (highlighted below)
4. Now click in the top left corner of your blank image and hold down the mouse button and drag down to the right.

A line will appear in the window indicating the direction of the gradient. When you are near the bottom let go.

And you should have a gradient image as you see at the top of this page.

Now it is time to start experimenting.

There are lots of colour and shape options. So, try the following:

A circle with a gradient - use the circle tool (top line of toolbox).  Hint: If you hold down the shift key while drawing an ellipse you will get a perfect circle.

Once you have a circle, apply the blend (gradient) tool as you did before, but only inside the circle.