Apply colors and gradients

Fill color is the color contained in the shape object and stroke is the border of the shape object. The fill or stroke can be a color, gradient, or pattern.

Add a solid color

Add solid colors using the built-in camera

Apply a gradient

Gradient lets you add a graduated blend of two or more colors or tints of the same color to your shape. You can use gradients to create color blends, add volume to vector objects, and add a light and shadow effect to your artwork. In Illustrator on the iPad, you can create, apply, and modify a gradient using the Fill panel.

• Linear Gradients: Blend colors along a straight path. 
  
• Radial Gradients: Fill an object with a smooth gradient that radiates out from the central point.
• Point Gradients: Blend colors from point to point within the shape.

Modify linear or radial gradient

For the linear and radial gradient types, when you select the Gradient tool in the toolbar, Gradient Annotator appears in the object. A Gradient Annotator is a slider that shows a starting point, an endpoint, a midpoint, and two color stops for the starting and endpoints. 

• Add color stops: Select anywhere on the Gradient Annotator. Select the color stop and add color using the Color wheel or Swatches.
• Gradient annotator: Drag the Gradient annotator to modify the angle, location, and spread of a linear gradient; and the focal point, origin, and spread of a radial gradient. The gradient annotator snaps at every 45 degrees which lets you ensure precision. 
  
• Gradient Annotator slider: Drag the slider located between two color stops to increase or decrease the range of the gradient.
  
• Delete color stops: To delete a color stop, select a color stop on the gradient annotator and select       icon. By default, a gradient has two color stops.
  

Modify a point gradient

Point gradient lets you place color stops anywhere in the object. Therefore, a point gradient does not require a Gradient Annotator.

You can set the spread of a color stop in the points gradient. Spread is the circular area around the color stop in which a gradient is to be applied. 

• Add color stops: To add one or more color stops, tap anywhere on the object.
• Change the position of color stops:  Drag the color stop and place them at the desired location.
• Set the spread of a color stop: Select a point gradient and drag the circular spread.
• Delete color stops: To delete a color stop, select a color stop on the gradient annotator and select   icon. By default, a gradient has two color stops.
  

To learn how to apply gradients in Illustrator on the desktop, see Gradients.

Modify color and appearance of objects

Copy appearance of an object

Apply stroke for an object

When you create an object, the stroke of the object is set to zero (no stroke).

To set a stroke, do the following:

1. Select the object and tap Properties panel.
2. In the Strokes section, select a stroke type as solid or dashed line.
3. To view more stroke options, click --
   • In the Stroke weight field, type a weight you want to set for the stroke.
   • In the Align Stroke options, choose:
     •  Align Stroke To Center 
     •  Align Stroke To Inside 
     •  Align Stroke To Outside 
   • In the Cap options, choose:
     • Butt Cap to create stroked lines with squared ends.
     • Round Cap to create stroked lines with semicircular ends.
     • Projecting Cap to create stroked lines with squared ends that extend half the line width beyond the end of the line. 
   • In the Corner options, choose:
     • Miter Join to create stroked lines with pointed corners.
     • Round Join to create stroked lines with rounded corners.
     • Bevel Join to create stroked lines with squared corners.

You can also change the stroke weight using the contextual widget. Select the shape and tap  to change the stroke width using the slider. 

See also: Apply stroke on an object in Illustrator on the desktop.

Related resources

• Draw and paint 
• Draw and edit shapes 
• Create text designs on a path 
  
• Create repeats 
  

Got a question or an idea?