In this tutorial, we will first go into the Gradient Mesh, Gradient tool, and Eyedropper.

1. Gradient Mesh Tool

For this purpose, we’ve chosen an apple to illustrate the tool’s functions.

Let’s begin with a plain green apple. Download working file here.

So, now we have the apple.

Step 1

We will need to set up some base colors. Select a number of green shades. The more you pick, the more detailed your apple will look. I’ve selected the colors below in my example.

Step 2

Select the Pen Tool(P) and start tracing the outline of the apple. Then select the Mesh Tool (U) and add a mesh line by clicking on the shape.

Step 3

Just keep adding more mesh lines. First add them horizontally, then move on to creating vertical mesh lines. Your image will look something like this.

Step 4

Select Mesh Point with the Direct Selection Tool (A), then click on the lightest shade of green. This will create the apple’s highlight color.

Step 5

Keep repeating the steps and filling the apple with different shades of green. You’ll have to keep experimenting – there are no 2 ways about it; practice makes perfect. Ultimately, your apple should look something like this.

2. Gradient Tool

For this part of the tutorial, please view one of our previous posts in which we’ve covered the Gradient Tool. Click here to view post.

3. The Eyedropper Tool

This one is pretty straightforward. Use the eyedropper tool to select a color from an existing object to apply it another.
In this example below, you can see that the bunny contains several shades of pink, while the bunny shape on the right is in black. The objective is to turn the black bunny into a light shade of pink as per the bunny’s body.

Select the black bunny, then use the eyedropper and click it on the pink part of the body on the left bunny. The black shape will become pink.