How to Choose the Right Colour Palette as an Illustrator
- Emily Palmer
- Sep 30
- 2 min read
Colour is one of the most powerful tools an illustrator has. The right palette can set the mood, tell a story, and make your work instantly recognisable. But with millions of possible combinations, how do you actually choose a colour palette that feels intentional and effective?
Here’s a practical guide to help you make confident colour decisions in your illustration work.
1. Start with the Story and Emotion
Before diving into colour wheels, think about what your illustration needs to say.
Calm and gentle: muted tones, pastels, or cool blues and greens
Bold and energetic: saturated reds, oranges, or neon contrasts
Mysterious or dramatic: deep shadows, limited palettes, rich darks
When you anchor your colours to an emotion, your choices will feel more cohesive and meaningful.
2. Understand Colour Relationships
Colour theory can guide you toward palettes that naturally work well together:
Monochromatic: variations of a single hue—subtle, unified, elegant
Analogous: colours sitting side by side on the colour wheel—harmonious and natural
Complementary: opposite colours—dynamic and attention-grabbing
Triadic: three colours evenly spaced—playful but balanced
Tools like Adobe Color or Coolors can help you experiment with these relationships.
3. Limit Your Palette
A common mistake is using too many colours. The most memorable illustrations often use just three to five main colours, supported by neutrals.
Think of it like this:
Hero colour: your dominant shade
Supporting colours: one or two tones that balance it out
Accent colour: a highlight that adds energy or focus
This limited approach makes your illustration easier to read and more striking.
4. Pay Attention to Value and Contrast
Colour isn’t only about hue—it’s also about value (lightness and darkness).
An illustration with colours of similar value can look flat, even if the hues are different. Test your palette in greyscale: does the design still read clearly? Strong contrast in value is what gives depth, focus, and visual rhythm.
5. Look to the Real World for Inspiration
Nature, film, and photography are some of the best teachers of colour.
Study how light shifts in a sunset.
Notice the palettes in your favourite movie scenes (Wes Anderson, Studio Ghibli, Pixar all use colour masterfully).
Collect palettes from street photography or fashion editorials.
Building a personal colour library from these references will sharpen your eye and make your work feel richer.
6. Adapt to Your Medium and Audience
Practical considerations matter:
Print vs. digital: Colours in CMYK (print) are less vibrant than RGB (screen). Test both if your work crosses mediums.
Audience: A children’s book may need bold, saturated hues, while an editorial piece might call for subtle, sophisticated tones.
Always design your palette with the final format and audience in mind.
7. Test, Iterate, and Play
Choosing colours doesn’t have to be rigid. Create small thumbnails or swatches to test combinations. Try multiple palettes for the same drawing—you’ll often discover surprising results.
Over time, you’ll develop your own “signature palette” that reflects your personal style.
Emily
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