For example, Windows XP has a row of six tabs in the upper left-hand corner: File, Edit, View, Image, Colors, and Help. The option to “Edit colors” should be under the Colors tab; you can also access the “Edit colors” menu by double-clicking any color in your default color palette.
For example, if you want to create a blend of green and blue, you can position your cursor in between the green section of the gradient and the blue one, then click to anchor your selector. If you decide you want more blue than green or vice versa, you can move the selector in the direction of that color.
Note that, while your custom color will be saved for the duration of your Paint session, you will have to reestablish your custom palette after you close out of Paint. If you wish to replicate a color at a later date, make note of the numerical values underneath the gradient; if you type these in exactly as they appear during a different session, you’ll get the same custom color.
You can also press Ctrl+E to bring up the image properties menu.
Depending on the size of your screen, you may have to zoom out before connecting the corners. The zoom function is in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. You should use the thinnest line possible from the drop-down menu in the tool bar, since this will allow for the most accurate gradient.
On older operating systems, this menu is called the “Stretch and Skew” menu; it can be found under the “Image” tab in addition to the same keyboard shortcut. If you don’t uncheck “Maintain aspect ratio”, both your horizontal and your vertical values will change when you input a number into one of their respective fields.
You’ll want to repeat this process three times or more, depending on how wide you need your gradient to be.
