How to Create a Solid-Color Fill Layer in Adobe Photoshop

A solid-color fill layer is exactly what it sounds like: a layer filled with a solid color. Creating a solid-color adjustment layer, as opposed to simply filling a layer with a solid color, has the added benefit of automatically creating a layer mask that can be edited.

1. In the Layers panel, go to the Adjustment Layer menu and select Solid Color.
2. The Color Picker opens. Click OK. The color will be changed in the next step.
3. To change the color, double-click the Adjustment Layer Properties icon in the Layers panel, which will reopen the Color Picker. In this example, I want to use a color in the image, so I've also turned off the Adjustment Layer's visibility.
4. When the Color Picker is open, you can sample a color in the image. As you hover outside the dialog box, you'll see the cursor change to the Eyedropper, and you can click a region in the image to select a color.
5. Adjustment layers always have layer masks, which can be selectively edited to let the original image show through. To edit the mask, turn the visibility of the layer back on, then click the Layer Mask thumbnail in the Layers Panel. Make sure the corner brackets are around the layer mask.
6. I'll apply a gradient to the mask to reveal a portion of the image by selecting the Gradient Tool, verifying that the foreground and background colors are set to black and white, then going to the image and dragging through the mask. Tip: Holding down the Shift key will constrain the direction of the gradient to horizontal, vertical, or 45°.
7. Blending Modes can also be applied to the Adjustment Layer to create additional effects.