A Quick & Easy Way to Create Pleasing Color Schemes

Sep 15

Hi there. How are you?

Do you ever struggle with choosing color schemes (color combinations) for your artwork? It can seem like a daunting task, but I’ve got an easy way to jumpstart and inspire the color scheme for your next piece.

All you need to do is scroll…

*HEADS UP: As an Amazon Influencer, I earn a small commission when you make a purchase via the links in this post. It is a small way to support the I do without any cost to you. Thank you!

This gorgeous print by Mille Henriksen inspired my recent sketchbook spread.

Pinterest to the Rescue

This probably isn’t news to you, but Pinterest can be a gold mine of inspiration for artists, and it was just what I needed when I was looking to get out of a color rut.

After a long time of working only in blue or black, I’ve been craving color again and I wanted to push myself to work with some colors that I don’t normally use.

I headed to Pinterest and pulled up my Color Palettes board, where I pin artworks and photos with colors that appeal to me. I came across this print by Mille Henriksen and used it as a jumping off point for a new drawing. These colors are not at all in my usual palette, but they’re pleasing to the eye as they form a triad. (More on that in a minute.)

My Spin on Mille’s Colors & Composition

Though I can’t get the pastel colors of the print with ballpoints, I was inspired to use the colors from Mille’s print in my own way.

Using Bic Cristal ballpoints, I created a triad of sorts, using a violet, orange and gold. Yes! Bic makes a gold ballpoint! The gold functions as the green in the triad, and I'm quite pleased with the result.

Some of the shapes in my sketch mimic the forms in the print. It’s not overt, but instead, inspired by Mille’s work. And that’s how you “steal like an artist”. (More on that in another post. But I do recommend you read Austin Kleon’s book on the topic.)

Orange Green Violet Triad — What is a triad?

Any 3 colors that form a triangle on a color wheel.

It can be a challenging color combination to work with as these colors don’t mix together, but if you get the hang of it, it’s a very dynamic color scheme.

The photo doesn’t really do the color of this drawing justice. The orange is fluorescent and jumps off the page.

The gold isn’t super metallic, but wow, it’s a ballpoint and goes on quite smoothly. I can’t get over how many more colors of ballpoint ink are available now than when I first delved into ballpoint in 2015.

I did this whole drawing in my pocket sized Moleskine on one lovely Sunday. It’s unusual for me to finish a drawing in one day, but this one just flowed. I love it when that happens!