How to Build a Color Palette for Beginners...Without Getting Overwhelmed
~So you want to build a color palette—but your brain is like, “Wait, what’s a color wheel again?” Don’t worry, friend. Whether you’re coloring, painting, designing, or just curating your dream aesthetic, creating your own color palette can be fun, relaxing, and way easier than it sounds.
At Artsyfartsy Press, we’re all about helping you explore your creativity in simple, joy-filled ways. Keep reading because we will be breaking down how to build a beginner-friendly color palette you’ll actually want to use (and look at again and again). Let’s dive into the color-y goodness!
💡 Step 1: Find Your Inspiration (Yes, Pinterest Counts!)
Before you even think about matching swatches, start by gathering inspiration. This part is pure fun and exploration! Here are a few easy places to look:
-
Pinterest – Our fave! Search terms like “cozy fall color palette,” “soft pastel color palette,” or “desert tones.”
👉 Psst: We’ve made it even easier for you. Check out the Artsyfartsy Press Color Palette Pinterest board for a treasure trove of pre-made palettes to spark your imagination! -
Nature – Snap a photo of a sunrise, wildflowers, a forest trail, or your favorite mountain view. Mother Nature is basically a color genius.
-
Fashion & Interiors – Love the colors in your favorite sweater or a boho-styled living room? That’s a palette waiting to happen.
-
Art You Love – Flip through a picture book, admire your favorite wall art, or even your favorite book cover. Notice what color combos make you go “ooooh.”
🎨 Step 2: Choose a “Vibe” or Mood
Are you going for soft and calming? Bold and dramatic? Earthy and grounded? Deciding the vibe or emotional feel you want your palette to have helps narrow down your choices and makes everything feel more cohesive.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
-
Calming – muted pastels, cool blues, sage green
-
Energizing – vibrant reds, oranges, yellows
-
Earthy – terracotta, olive, warm browns
-
Sweet & playful – bubblegum pinks, lavenders, mint
🖍️ Step 3: Pick 3–6 Core Colors
You don’t need a million colors to make magic. Start small! A good beginner palette has:
-
One main color – your star of the show
-
One or two accent colors – to make things pop
-
A neutral or two – like beige, gray, or soft white to balance it all out
✨ Hot Tip: Use our Printable Color Palette Design Sheet Bundle to design, plan and play with color combos!
📒 Step 4: Try It Out!
Now it’s time to play! Use your new palette to:
-
Color a page from your favorite Artsyfartsy Press coloring book
-
Create a digital graphic, mood board, or vision board
-
Paint a bookmark or greeting card
-
Add swatches to your Color Palette Design Journal (coming soon from Artsyfartsy Press 👀)
This is about experimenting and learning what YOU love. You can always tweak it or start fresh later.
🧠 The Brainy Bit: Why Color Palettes Matter
Creating and using color palettes isn't just for artists or designers. It’s a powerful creative tool that taps into mindfulness and emotional awareness—and builds your artistic eye. Studies show that engaging in creative activities—like choosing colors and designing with intention—can lower stress and boost overall well-being.
Color is a language, and when you learn to speak it, you start expressing yourself in beautiful, new ways. 💖
🎁 Bonus: Use Our Pinterest Palettes!
Need a quick-start shortcut? Head to the Artsyfartsy Press Pinterest board where we’ve curated tons of gorgeous color palette inspo just for you. Whether you want moody mountain vibes or cheerful florals, we’ve got something that’ll tickle your color-loving soul.
Coming Soon: Our Color Palette Design Journal
We’re cooking up something super fun behind the scenes: 4 different journals where you can mix, match, and test your own palettes while learning all the color basics. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when it drops!
Final Thoughts
Building your own color palette is like picking your creative mood for the day. There’s no wrong way to do it—just colors you love and combinations that bring you joy. So grab your markers, scroll a little Pinterest, and start creating a world of color that feels so you.
