code: protected Paint createHorizontalGradient(Shape s, FourColors colors) {
          Rectangle2D bounds = s.getBounds2D();
          float       x      = (float) bounds.getX();
          float       y      = (float) bounds.getY();
          float       w      = (float) bounds.getWidth();
          float       h      = (float) bounds.getHeight();
  
          return createGradient(x, (0.5f * h) + y, x + w, (0.5f * h) + y, new float[] { 0f, 0.45f, 0.62f, 1f },
                                new Color[] { colors.top, colors.upperMid, colors.lowerMid, colors.bottom });
      }
docs: Creates a simple horizontal gradient using the shape for bounds and the
  colors for top, two middle, and bottom colors.
  
  @param  s      the shape to use for bounds.
  @param  colors the colors to use for the gradient.
  
  @return the gradient.