# Need some gradient mesh/Illustrator opacity mask help

**URL:** https://forum.kirupa.com/t/need-some-gradient-mesh-illustrator-opacity-mask-help/255644
**Category:** design
**Created:** [March 25, 2008, 4:01pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/need-some-gradient-mesh-illustrator-opacity-mask-help/255644 "2008-03-25T16:01:28Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![jokun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/97f17d/32.png) [@jokun](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/jokun)
#### Post date: [March 25, 2008, 4:01pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/need-some-gradient-mesh-illustrator-opacity-mask-help/255644/1 "2008-03-25T16:01:28Z")

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So here’s a little background. I’ve got an Illustrator assignment due that involves using gradient mesh, using a piece of our own ‘fine art’ as part of the project and incorporating gradient mesh elements into it. I decided to use part of a charcoal collage I did last semester, a hand holding a pear (don’t ask).

Anyway, the theme I’m going with for this poster design is kind of blending traditional and digital art. The charcoal hand is going to be holding a now-gradient-mesh pear. Just doing the pear alone seems like kind of a cheap way out, so I want to also gradient mesh part of the hand as well, kind of blending down into the charcoal drawing. What’s the best way to pull off that effect? Can I apply an opacity mask to a gradient mesh, so the mesh parts will fade into the charcoal drawing?