Here is a simple tutorial on how to create a gradient in Adobe Illustrator. Lets start by creating a document to work with. Mine will be the size you see on the picture below.

Now load your color palette with any color you want and then select the Rectangle Tool. Select a spot in your screen and then draw a rectangle or any figure you want of any size you want. Once you release the mouse, the area will be filled with your color of choice like you see in the picture.

Now that you have your shape drawn, we are going to create a gradient for it. Click on the Gradient Tool and the you will get the gradient selection panel. If you do not get it, go to Window and select Gradient from it. Once you click on the gradient, the shape you drew will take on those colors. Do not worry, that is perfectly normal.

To change the colors from your gradient, go to your Swatches palette and pick a color you like. Click on that color and then drag it to your color picker, once there just release. I am going to choose this shade of blue: I will click on it and drag it down. After I release, I get the result you see in the background.

Select another shade of blue or a different color and repeat the procedure. Your gradient is now in place. This is what is called a Linear Gradient.

While in the gradient palette, change the mode to Radial and this is what you get.

If you move the level icon in the circle, you will determine where the blending of the colors occur. Move it left and right and see how the colors change.

You can also decide where to put the gradient manually: Select a spot and click on it. Now drag the mouse in any direction and a gradient will be drawn.

Now just draw left to right, right and left, up and down and any other direction you want to go. Every time you do it, see how the gradient changes its direction.

This effect can be use in many different was as you can see in little cartoon cloud.

If you want to put more colors in your gradient, click on the area where the arrow points and a new color palette will appear and then you can change the color in it. Do that as many times as you need colors. This is just some of the many things you can do with gradients. With a little practice, you can discover tons of possibilities. Thanks for visiting.