How about an old fashioned fade? The example is vb.net.

Name: a5.png Views: 552 Size: 11.6 KB

Code:
Public Class Form4
    Private Sub Form4_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
        Text = "Draw Fade"
        BackColor = Color.WhiteSmoke
    End Sub

    Private Sub Form4_Paint(sender As Object, e As PaintEventArgs) Handles Me.Paint

        Dim x As Integer = 20   'location
        Dim y As Integer = 20
        Dim w As Integer = 200  'size
        Dim r As Integer        'fade width

        For r = 0 To 25
            Using p As New Pen(Color.FromArgb(10 * r, Color.Maroon))
                e.Graphics.DrawRectangle(p, x + r, y + r, w - (2 * r), w - (2 * r))
            End Using
        Next

        e.Graphics.FillRectangle(Brushes.Maroon, x + r, y + r, 1 + w - (2 * r), 1 + w - (2 * r))

    End Sub

End Class