How to choose colors for a coloring page
The most common reason people stop halfway through a page is not the drawing: it is choosing the colors. These rules make it easy.
The 3-color rule
Pick one main color for the biggest areas, one supporting color for medium areas and one accent for small details. Three colors always look intentional.
Palettes by mood
- Cozy: mustard, rust and cream.
- Calm: sage, dusty blue and sand.
- Festive: deep red, pine green and gold.
- Fresh: mint, coral and lemon.
Use the color wheel
Neighbors on the wheel feel calm, opposites create pop. Try it live with the interactive color wheel.
Keep some white
White paper is a color too. Leaving lamps, snow or highlights uncolored makes a page glow.
The one-color challenge
Color a whole page with a single color and change only the pressure for light and dark. It is surprisingly striking, and there are no decisions to make at all.
Step by step
- 1Choose a mood. Cozy, calm, festive or fresh.
- 2Pick three colors. A main color, a supporting color and an accent.
- 3Keep white. Leave highlights uncolored.
Questions
How do I choose colors for a coloring page?
Pick a mood, then three colors: a main color, a supporting color and a small accent.
