The Gradient Tool for Creating Tints and Shades on a Stylized Garment

Hello Everyone,

In this post, I will demonstrate how to create highlights on a stylized garment by using the Gradient tool. A garment drawing looks flat when you fill it with color in Adobe Illustrator.

The fastest way to create a three-dimensional view is to use the Gradient tool.
At first, create a group of color tints and shades in the Swatches panel.

Select a part of the drawing by using the Selection tool.
Click on the Gradient tool in the Toolbar.

Click on the Freeform Gradient icon on the Control panel.

Two additional radio buttons will appear on the Control panel: Points and Lines.
If you select the Lines radio button, you will be able to draw any desired line and add color along this line. In this example we will select the Points radio button.

If the Points radio button is selected, you can set any number of points to create a gradient.

If you double-click on the gradient point, the Swatches panel will open, and you can choose any desired color for a gradient. You can move or delete unnecessary gradient points.

Just a couple of clicks, and the drawing looks three-dimensional!

Compare images below. 

Learn about the Gradient tool and other useful tools and tricks in my e-textbook "The Craft of Garment Design with Adobe Illustrator".