"""

gradient([colors...]; direction = [0,1,0,0])

A linear gradient interpolates colors along a line, from a starting point to an ending point. By default a linear gradient runs horizontally, from left to right. Use the direction to configure the gradient direction, e.g. [0,0,0,1] runs the gradient vertically. All coordinates are defined in a normalized [0, 1] coordinate space, relative to the bounding box of the item being colored.

## Examples

```julia

gradient()

gradient(:red, :white, :blue)

```

"""

function gradient(args...; direction = [0,1,0,0])

res = Dict{Symbol, Any}()

res[:gradient] = :linear

res[:x1] = direction[1]

res[:x2] = direction[2]

res[:y1] = direction[3]

res[:y2] = direction[4]

if length(args) == 1

stops = [0.0]

else

stops = range(0.0, 1.0, length = length(args))

end

res[:stops] = Dict{Symbol, Any}[]

for (s, c) in zip(stops, args)

push!(res[:stops], Dict(:offset=>s, :color=>c))

end

res

end

gradient(;direction=[0,1,0,0]) = gradient(:steelblue, :darkred; direction = direction)