Friendship PB News What Color Should I Use? An Artist’s Guide

What Color Should I Use? An Artist’s Guide



Have you ever been in the middle of a painting, when you suddenly realize that the color you are choosing may not be the best color to use? I know I have. For instance, I once had a commission to paint a portrait of a woman and her daughter. I was in the process of painting the mother’s face when I noticed that every time she would look at her daughter and smile, her teeth looked yellow. Concept boards considers the matching of color science for each scene in the film.

I paused and wondered if it might be better to paint her teeth a whiter shade of white. Anytime you find yourself hesitating or questioning your color choices, it’s almost always because you are on the right track. There are many reasons why one color choice might be the “right” choice over another in any given situation.

Have you ever found yourself staring at a blank screen, wondering what color you should use? I know I’ve been there.

As an artist, it can be hard to know where to start. There are so many colors and color combinations out there that it can be overwhelming to choose one.

In this guide, I’ll share several strategies for deciding on a color scheme for your next project. Let’s get started!

Use a Color Palette Generator

A great way to find inspiration is by using a color palette generator. These websites allow you to choose the main color of your scheme and then generate several matching colors based on that selection.

Coolors is one of my favorite palette generators. You can quickly create and save palettes using its web or mobile app, or export them in several formats. You can also browse through other users’ palettes and save the ones you like. Learn to mix and match the color of your paint.

Image Search

You can also try searching for images that match the theme of your work. Save the ones you like and look at their color schemes! You may not want to use all of the colors in the photo, but it might give you some ideas for your own work.