How to Use Clipping Mask and Gradient Tool in Photoshop

In this post, I will be giving step by step instructions on how to use a clip mask, gradient tool, and a little about layers in Photoshop. I have an older version (CS2), so some of the following may not be found in the exact same locations if you are using a newer version (or a Mac) ;)

First, here is my finished page (Bonus addition at end of post!):

 And here’s how I got there….


Step 1:

Open Photoshop. Go to File and select New:

A pop up screen will appear. I set the size to ‘Letter’, which is a normal paper size, but you can use whatever size page you want!

After choosing your size, resolution (the higher, the better), and Naming your masterpiece, hit OK. A blank canvas will now appear:

Step 2:

Select the Text tool (T) and draw a box however big you want it, choose your font style and size, and type your text:

Step 3:
Make a new layer. You can do this by going up to Layer at the top of the screen and selecting new:

This is where I put a picture to use as background color for my text.

Step 4:

Then, to make the picture in the beginning of this post, I used a photo that I had taken down in the Caribbean. Go to File--Place and select a picture:

The picture will be placed on the canvas like so:

I then scaled the image by dragging the edges out to make it big enough to cover my text, and use the colors I wanted within the picture. Since I only wanted this picture for the colors, it didn’t matter that it ended up being skewed:

Step 5:

With this new photo layer active, go up to Layer again and select Create Clipping Mask:

This will make it so only a portion of the photo will be displayed through the text:

Make sure the layers are in proper order, like this, or it won’t work:

(picture on top (which in this screenshot is the active layer), then the text layer, above the background)

Step 6 (optional):

Now, the picture above looks good as it is, but I decided to add a little more color to it by using the gradient tool. Click on the Background layer, so the gradient will be behind everything else.
Select the gradient tool, and choose your color(s). I used both a blue and green color to make my gradient (and also changed the Opacity to around half, because I found if I used 100% it didn’t look as good). Then, use the cursor to draw a line in the direction you want the gradient to go, this may take some experimenting! You can always go to Edit and Undo if you don’t like it:)

BONUS Step 7:
At first, I was happy with this. Then I got to thinking: “That photo is too good to hide!!”. So I added it back in above the text (by creating a new layer above all the other layers) :

I think it turned out pretty well!

Always make sure to save your work periodically!

Have fun!

Rachael

#Photoshop #clipmask #tutorial #creativity