This tutorial will be useful for stock illustrators, because it helps to create free-form gradient in spite of limited toolkit for EPS 8 files.
Here is what we'll can do.
We can use Blend Tool for simple objects to get curved gradient.
Like this.
But with complex objects it is hard to do gradient without Filters.
You can see "Gradient" made with Blend Tool and with my method (Right one).
Let's start. First of all I made 21 squares and set different brightness to all of them with step 10%.
Now group all objects and drug-and-drop it to the Brushes window. Window "New Brush" will appear Select "New Pattern Brush" and press "Ok" button.
Now you can give name for your new brush.
We made brush, but we need to create "corners" for acute angles.
Create circle and align it with two copies of "gradient" we made before, like on the image below. Circle's line must be at the middle of the "gradient" lines.
Apply your new brush to the circle. You will get this.
Now Expand and Ungroup object.
Delete three quarters of the circle.
Group the rest of circle, make a copy and Reflect it, drug-and-drop both objects to the "Swatches" window.
Open "Brush Options" window for our brush...
... and apply "corners" we made.
Our brush is ready. You can apply it to any shape you like.
