How to make awesome mesh gradients in Inkscape

This tutorial is about a quick way how to create awesome looking mesh gradients from images or manually in inkscape. Mesh gradient is a like lots of linear gradients arranged in grid or network of gradient nodes.

For a simple linear gradient, here’s a video about using gradient dialog (updated in version 1.2!) : https://activdesign.eu/blog/precise-gradients-in-inkscape

Mesh gradients can be useful for subtle gradients like skin, fruits, sky etc. So let’s start.

Steps

Step 1. Open Inkscape and import some reference image for gradients. I have chosen this picture to be my gradient model. (  https://pixabay.com/photos/landscape-shore-sunset-clouds-914148/)

I chose default settings for import:

Step 2. Draw a rectangle (or any desired shape) around image, I converted it to a path also (Shit+Ctrl+C) and made semi transparent to see the image under.

Step 3. Select “Mesh” tool .

Plan for how many rows and columns you would need. I chose 6 rows and 4 columns. Where to apply mesh – fill.

Drag in any direction on your path shape to create a mesh:

Step 4. Adjust rows, columns, nodes (diamond shape), size or direction (circle shape). You can select them by mouse. Select row of nodes by draging rectangle around them. You can move them now. Snapping to path may help.

Step 5. Select any node (diamond shape), and press Ctrl+A to select all of them. Now select mesh tool “Select colors from underneath mesh” . That is getting colors from under image.

Step 6. Adjust transparency and select any node (diamond shape) to adjust position or colors.