Colouring with coloured pencils is more than simply filling spaces—it’s an artistic journey!

Colour combinations can bring a lot of fun, and they really help achieving great results – planning a colour scheme or simply using a group of harmonic hues as a guideline, eliminates the guesswork. Choosing the next colour sometimes is a chore. I take a long time deciding the “next pencil”, so I love Colour Combos: I have a group of tonalities to work with and then I can focus on enjoying my colouring!

Colour combinations may be used in different ways: we may have colour combos for techniques like layering, you can add many hues to create surprising new tonalities, delicate gradients, and beautiful transitions that give volume and depth to your artwork.

Generally, we use Colour Combinations to create contrast, emphasize details, and set a specific mood or atmosphere.

In this post, we’ll explore the magic of colour combinations, the art of contrast, and the emotional tones you can convey with your palette. Plus, I’ve included 10 inspiring colour combinations to challenge your creativity, whether you’re creating your own masterpiece or relaxing with your favourite colouring book.

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Exploring Colour Combinations

1. Layering for New Tones: Combining colours by layering different colours will create completely new shades and subtle transitions. For example, layering yellow over blue creates vibrant greens, while blending pink and light cyan blue produces dreamy lavender hues. To create a deep, beautiful and rich black try layering black, red and brown for a warm black, or dark green and indigo for a cooler effect. This technique adds depth and complexity to shapes.
2. Creating Contrast: Using schemes of contrasting colours on different shapes and background will make your artwork pop! Imagine a deep purple sky and with lemon yellow stars, or a fresh green field with orange and pink flowers – the stars and flowers stand out. Those colour combos use opposite tones on the colour wheel, to create contrast. This strategy is ideal for drawing attention to specific details or enhancing the dynamic interplay between subject and background.
3. Creating Harmony: Using colors that are adjacent on the color wheel can evoke a sense of calm and cohesion in your artwork. These analogous color schemes, such as soft blues blending into greens or warm yellows transitioning into oranges, create a natural flow that feels peaceful and unified. Imagine a tranquil ocean scene where shades of blue melt into gentle teals, or a glowing autumn landscape with golden yellows fading into rich ambers. By working within a single tonal family, you can craft a visual narrative that communicates emotions like serenity, warmth, or nostalgia, all through the power of color harmony.
4. Mood and Atmosphere:
   • Serenity: Pastel and muted colour palettes bring calm and softness, perfect for tranquil scenes or dreamy floral motifs.
   • Action and Dynamism: Saturated colours, like bold reds and yellows, create energy and vibrancy, ideal for dynamic scenes or vibrant abstract designs.
5. Unified Artwork: The right colour combinations tie your artwork together, creating harmony that conveys a central idea or emotion.

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Bring Your Artwork to Life

Experiment with these palettes and techniques to unlock your creativity. Remember, the right colour combinations can transform simple shapes into extraordinary art. Whether you’re layering hues for delicate gradients or pairing bold contrasts for dramatic impact, your choices create the story your artwork tells.

Take a moment to try these combinations in your next project—challenge yourself to explore new palettes and discover the joy of colouring with a fresh perspective! What will you create next?😃

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10 Inspiring Colour Combinations to Try

I’ve created a FREE PDF for you with all the colour cards from this post. To download, just click on the link below!

Sunlit Meadow (Serene and Fresh) Perfect for nature scenes or delicate florals.

Evening Glow (Warm and Dreamy) Ideal for sunsets, autumn landscapes, or cozy scenes.

Ocean Breeze (Cool and Relaxing) Great for ocean waves, seascapes, or underwater themes.

Electric Wave (Dynamic and Bold) Perfect for Geometric and high-energy pieces.

Lavender Fields (Soft and Romantic) Great for Delicate themes and dreamy landscapes.

Golden Harvest (Warm and Inviting) Perfect for Cozy Interiors and Vintage Portraits.

Twilight Sky (Moody and Mysterious) Ideal for celestial scenes or dramatic settings

Candy Shop (Playful and Fun) Great for whimsical designs or children’s illustrations

Forest Floor (Earthy and Grounded)Ideal for woodland scenes or rustic designs.

Winter Frost (Cool and Elegant)Perfect for frosty mornings, winter scenes, or icy abstracts

I’ve created a FREE PDF for you with all the colour cards from this post. To download, just click on link below!

COLOUR COMBOS Free PDF 🤩 Click to download 📥

Thank you for visiting my Blog!

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References I used to write this post:

• Colored Pencil Painting Bible by Alyona Nickelsen – Book and Kindle Edition
• Color Theory for Artists by Ian Goldsmith – Book and Kindle Edition
• The Colored Pencil Manual: Step-by-Step Instructions and Techniques  by Veronica Winters- Book and Kindle Edition
• Color Choices: Making Color Sense Out of Color Theory by Stephen Quiller – Paperback and Hardcover

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