I want to create some images like these below for a jQuery countdown timer.
Can anyone fill me in on the technique to do this using Illustrator?
You make gradients in Illustrator.
You need to set four color stops. One for each end and then one for each of the colors that meet. When you have the middle colors you drag the colorstops to the same point to get the harsh shifting of colors. This gives an illusion of gloss.
The gradient is then put on a shape over the numbers and transparency blending mode set to multiply or overlay. Try which one feels more realistic.
Glad that you’ve found the solution. It is a similar process in photoshop 