In this blog post, let me show you how to use the Adjustment, Gradient Map, in Procreate. I’ll show you what Gradient Map is, where it is, how a gradient map works, and how to make your own.
First, what is Gradient Map? Gradient Map is an adjustment that allows you to change the colors of your drawing to new colors from a gradient palette.
How does a gradient map work? In your drawing, there are different amounts of darkness and lightness. Gradient Map takes your drawing, identifies the darkness and lightness of each color of the drawing. It then assigns a new color to the dark colors and another new color to the light colors. Any color between dark and light becomes a mix of the two new colors, or a new color.
Where is Gradient Map? In Procreate, Gradient Map is located in Adjustments. Adjustments is the magical wand icon in the top left corner of the interface. Tap it to bring up the Adjustments. Tap Gradient Map to bring up the Gradient Library.
In the Gradient Library you get to choose a Gradient Palette. There are 8 preset Gradient Palettes. Tap a Gradient Palette to see if you like it.
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When using Gradient Map, you can choose how much the Gradient Palette applies. While you have the Gradient Library up, slide your finger across the screen towards the left. You’ll see that a blue line, which is towards the top of the screen, moves back with your finger. Right above the blue line is a percent. This tells you what percentage of the gradient map is applying. You can move your finger left or right to change how much the gradient map is applying. Next to the percentage is an arrow. Click this arrow to change whether or not the gradient map will apply to the layer or whatever you touch. If you click Pencil, whatever you touch will be affected by Gradient Map.
Now, how do you make your own gradient map? Click the plus sign in the top right corner of the Gradient Library.
By clicking the plus sign, you’ll be in the Gradient Map Interface. The main thing on the Gradient Map Interface is the gradient. On the gradient, the left side affects the shadows and darker colors of your drawing. The right affects the lighter and brighter colors of your drawing.
You’ll see two boxes, called Color Points on the gradient. These Color Points will determine the colors of your drawing. Click a Color Point to change the color. The closer the Color Point is to the left side of the gradient, the more it will affect the darker colors of your drawing. Of course, if the Color Point is closer to the right side of the gradient, the more it will affect the lighter colors of your drawing.
Tap anywhere on the gradient to add a Color Point. This makes the gradient have to have a color somewhere other than the far left or right. If I put a Color Point in the middle, it will affect more of the middle colors, which are in between black and white.
To delete a Color Point, hold your finger down on it for a few seconds, lift it up, then click ‘Delete’.
Go ahead and mess around with this. As you’re messing around with it, you’ll see that it applies to your drawing live, so you can see how it looks. Once you’re happy with your Gradient Palette, click “Done”. The Gradient Palette will save to your Gradient Library.
You can also edit palettes that are already made. Simply tap a palette to choose it, then tap it again to access the Gradient Map Interface.
To duplicate or delete a Gradient Palette, hold your finger down on it for a few seconds, lift it up, then click ‘Delete’ or ‘Duplicate’.
Lastly, to save the Gradient Map for the drawing, click Adjustments.
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