Color Picks Matter
Caroll Alvarado
| 09-06-2025
· Art team
Hey friends! 👋Ever stared at a painting and thought, "Wow… how did they decide on those colors?"
As someone who paints regularly (even if it's just in my messy little corner at home), I've gotten this question a lot. So I figured… let's talk about the magic behind an artist's palette!
It's Not Just Pretty Colors
When I first started painting, I thought I could just grab any colors I liked and go wild. Spoiler alert: it didn't work 😅
Turns out, color choices in a painting are super intentional. Artists use color to control mood, draw attention, and tell a story — without even using words.
Think of it like building a vibe. Soft blues and cool grays? Calm and peaceful. Bright reds and oranges? Drama and action!
It All Starts With a Feeling 🎭
Usually, before I even pick up a brush, I ask myself one simple question: "What do I want people to feel when they look at this?"
That guides everything. For a peaceful landscape, I go with greens, pastels, and earthy tones. If I'm painting something dreamy or nostalgic, I lean into purples, soft pinks, or golden light.
Sometimes I even build a playlist that matches the mood while I paint — it totally helps keep the vibe consistent 🖌️🎶
Reference Photos and Color Wheels Are Lifesavers
I love using reference photos! Whether it's a sunset I captured on my phone or a cozy café shot from Pinterest, it helps me figure out what color combos actually work together.
Also, the color wheel? Total game changer. Learning about complementary and analogous colors helped me stop making muddy messes and start creating harmony on the canvas.
Test Swatches Are My Best Friend
Before I commit to a color mix, I test it on the side of the canvas or a scrap paper. You'd be surprised how different something can look once it dries or sits beside another color.
And yes, I've definitely mixed the "perfect purple" once… then forgot how I made it and couldn't recreate it again 😂 So now I jot notes when I mix something nice.
It's Not Just Pretty Colors
When I first started painting, I thought I could just grab any colors I liked and go wild. Spoiler alert: it didn't work 😅
Turns out, color choices in a painting are super intentional. Artists use color to control mood, draw attention, and tell a story — without even using words.
Think of it like building a vibe. Soft blues and cool grays? Calm and peaceful. Bright reds and oranges? Drama and action!
It All Starts With a Feeling 🎭
Usually, before I even pick up a brush, I ask myself one simple question: "What do I want people to feel when they look at this?"
That guides everything. For a peaceful landscape, I go with greens, pastels, and earthy tones. If I'm painting something dreamy or nostalgic, I lean into purples, soft pinks, or golden light.
Sometimes I even build a playlist that matches the mood while I paint — it totally helps keep the vibe consistent 🖌️🎶
Reference Photos and Color Wheels Are Lifesavers
I love using reference photos! Whether it's a sunset I captured on my phone or a cozy café shot from Pinterest, it helps me figure out what color combos actually work together.
Also, the color wheel? Total game changer. Learning about complementary and analogous colors helped me stop making muddy messes and start creating harmony on the canvas.
Test Swatches Are My Best Friend
Before I commit to a color mix, I test it on the side of the canvas or a scrap paper. You'd be surprised how different something can look once it dries or sits beside another color.
And yes, I've definitely mixed the "perfect purple" once… then forgot how I made it and couldn't recreate it again 😂 So now I jot notes when I mix something nice.
Honestly, every painting is like a little mood board. The colors aren't just decoration — they are the story.
Thanks for hanging out and reading! Next time you see a painting, take a moment to feel the colors — they might be saying more than you think 💫
How to Choose a Home Interior Color Palette
Video: Nick Lewis