How to Use a Color Palette

Choosing color combinations is not always as fun as it seems like it should be.

I don’t know about you, but when I look at my set of pencils I find that I always go back to the same few colors every time I color in. I have subconsciously created a safety net in the few colors that I know look good together and a rarely experiment with new color combinations unless I really challenge myself to try something new.

And we’ve all been there.

Choosing good color combinations doesn’t come naturally to most of us. Just because you’ve learnt basic color theory in school doesn’t mean you automatically know what colors work well together and why certain colors seem to clash.

In my beginner’s guide to color theory,  I covered all the basics about how colors work together and how you can use a color wheel to learn the science behind why some color combinations look good and others don’t – But if you’re looking for an easier option and just want to color without learning all that color sciency stuff, then this post is for you!

So here’s the secret that many colorists use to choose their colors, and if you’ve already been following me for a while then you probably already know what I’m about to say… and that’s to use a COLOR PALETTE.

Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you click them and make a purchase (at no cost to you).

Why do artists use color palettes?

• Using a color palette can help you to create a certain look or mood, whether it’s something fun and vibrant, or dark and emotional.
• It can serve as a great source of inspiration, to help you break through creative block and give you a starting point when you’re stuck for ideas or not sure where to begin. Browing color palettes in something like The Color Catalog can become a really fun part of your process, and exploring new color combinations can be exciting and rewarding.
• It can help you think of new and unique ways to look at something, like using different colors that you wouldn’t usually consider using.
• In the same way, it can give you so much more variety. There are so many different colors that make up similar scenes, and yet produce such different moods and results.
• And above all else, it can give you confidence in choosing your colors, because you can see how they come together before you begin. And over time, you’ll naturally develop an eye for what colors look good together, and build your own skills in choosing colors.

Where can I find good color palettes?

Here are some of my favorite places to find good color palettes. (Each of these links take you to my own collections, but you can also find more by searching)

• The Color Catalog (featured in the video below)
• Pinterest
• Instagram

Other color palettes without reference images:

• https://colorhunt.co/
• https://coolors.co/
• https://www.canva.com/colors/color-palettes/
• https://www.color-hex.com/color-palettes/

How to use a color palette

Now let me walk you through exactly how you can use a color palette in your coloring. You can also use color palettes in other art, design, crafts, cooking, interior design, makeup, and so much more. Coloring books are just ONE of SO many uses for these.

When it comes to actually using a palette, there’s no right or wrong approach. You can use it as general inspiration, or use it as strictly or loosly as you want.

If you’re using the Color Catalog, it comes as a digital version that you can navigate and easily find whatever palette you are looking for by keyword, color or collection – and from there, you can either just match the colors by eye, or you can print out the page you want to work from and actually swatch your pencils out on the page for a more accurate match.

Not all printers will print the colors the same, so you will find that your printer colors are not as bright as the colors on the screen, but this doesn’t matter as much as you’d think. In the same way, not every set of pencils or markers is going to have a perfect match for every color in your palette, and that’s ok! You can either try to mix your colors to get a closer match, or just pick something that’s close and has the same general hue as the colors in the palette.

In the video below, I’ll run you through an example of how I choose the colors of my pencils from a palette from The Color Catalog.

In the video, I’m using the Black Widow Monarch Colored Pencils 48 set that were generously given to me by Black Widow to try. I hadn’t previously tried any of the Black Widow range, so I was very excited to try these! The color range of these are beautiful pastels, which are quite different to anything else I own.

It was a challenge to match my colors to my palette perfectly using only this set, so I’ll talk you through my process of that in the video and the different options you have if you find yourself in this position.

Tips when matching colors to a color palette:

• Use the color palette as a guide. Don’t worry if you can’t find a perfect match.
• Try mixing colors to get a closer match. Use my color mixing guide if you need help.
• Use a scrap piece of paper so you can test multiple colors and mixes before matching them on the page you are working on.
• Write down your pencil or marker numbers for quick reference later.
• You can remove colors if you want a simpler palette.
• If you want to add colors, add darker or lighter shades/tints of the colors in the palette. (Try to keep them similar to what is already in the palette instead of adding something totally different)
• Remember that screens and printers show colors differently, and that’s ok! It doesn’t have to be perfect.
• It’s ok to mix brands and mediums to find all the colors you need for a project.

Aggh! It’s still too hard!!

Take a breath, I have good news. I’ve done all this hard pencil-matching work for you for ALL 500 color palettes in The Color Catalog Volumes 1 & 2, so you can print them out and get on with coloring.

Introducing the new Color Catalog Companion!

It is a new printable guide with every color palette from the Color Catalog where I have pre-filled every pencil color for you for some of the most popular pencil brands so that you don’t have to go to the effort of finding the best match.

Each Companion fits 8 color palettes to a page, so it’s a far more printer-friendly option if you’ve been wanting to hold The Color Catalog in your hands – with the added functionality of having your entire pencil swatch library ready to go whenever you want to color.

What brands will be supported in The Color Catalog Companion?

• Prismacolor Premier Soft-Core Colored Pencils
• Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils
• Caran D’Ache Luminance Colored Pencils
• Black Widow Colored Pencils
• Derwent Colorsoft Colored Pencils
• Derwent Inktense Pencils
• Derwent Artists Colored Pencils
• Copic Sketch Alcohol Markers
• Ohuhu Alcohol Brush Markers
• Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers
• Tombow Dual Brush Pens

There’s a blank set included too, so if your brand isn’t included, you can still match your colors and keep an easy record, without having to print all 500 pages from both Color Catalogs.

Please Note: Prismacolor Premier and Spectrum Noir are available NOW, the other brands will be available by Feb 2021 (due to the time involved in manually swatching each color). But please don’t wait – purchase NOW and I will send you the full set when they become available. The price will be going up in February.

How can I get The Color Catalog Companion?

You can purchase The Color Catalog Companion 2 ways. Both come as a printable format you can download and print from home.

1: On it’s own for $45 – Check it out here.

2. With the Color Catalog Volumes 1 & 2, at 85% off (just $7 when added to your order!). You can order the Complete Bundle here.

If you purchase right now, you’ll get the Prismacolor and Spectrum Noir Companions right away, and you’ll be emailed the rest of the included brands by the end of February 2021 at the latest, along with any future brands I add for free. When I release the rest in February, the price will be going up, so it’s worth getting in early now.

If you don’t think you need help matching your pencils, then you might not need the companion at all! Because the Color Catalog does come with a printable version already included. You can even use an app like Goodnotes to make notes in the digital PDF version if you’d like to record your favorite pencils and markers and still navigate using the buttons. check out The Color Catalog Bundle here.