Whether you’re Bible journaling or starting a new coloring page, choosing a color palette can be fun… or it can seem daunting. Do you ever find yourself wondering… where do I begin? What colors should I choose? How will they look together when I’m finished? Where do I look for color inspiration? If these questions sound familiar… this blog post is for you!

Finding Inspiration

Finding inspiration to create your own unique color combinations can come from a variety of sources and what I want to share with you today will surely get your creative juices flowing! In a few of the photos below I created my own color palettes on PicMonkey.com. It helps simplify your color palette no matter where your inspiration is coming from. I’ll include a little tutorial on how to create your own at the end of this post.

Look to Nature…

God has provided an endless number of color combinations throughout nature in the form of fabulous flowers, majestic landscapes, and spectacular sunrises and sunsets! His glory has no end! So… if you’re a walker or hiker… be alert to His handiwork and always make sure you have your camera or phone ready to capture the beauty along your path.

Sometimes it’s simply a matter of stepping out your own back door. I took this photo in the garden of our last house and those vibrant colors will always make me smile. And if the weather or season of year isn’t cooperating, you can always pick up a bouquet from the grocery store to bring beauty into your home and inspiration to your coloring projects. This photo inspired a simple yet gorgeous color palette, don’t you agree?

Flip Through Magazines…

Flipping through the pages of a home decorating or fashion magazine can open your eyes to a variety of color combinations…
some that you might never before have imagined working together! Laying your colored pencils on top of the page gives you a great visual treat.

The room above is my friend Gwen’s sitting room. The colors are scrumptious, warm and cozy and make you want to go visit and have a cup of tea, don’t they? A perfect color palette for a coffee or tea coloring page.

Look on Your Walls…

Color probably played a huge part in why you chose the particular pieces of fine art that hang on the walls of your home. Stand back and look at the colors and try translating them into colored pencil, markers, or paint colors. Or look beyond your own walls to famous masterpieces. Let the masters… such as Van Gogh or Monet be your color combo guide and inspiration.

I used my own “Butterfly Love” painting above to create a color palette that’s bright and cheerful and sure to make you smile! (You can purchase a print of this painting here.)

Check Out Your Closet or Sewing Room…

Fabrics offer a delightful variety of color combinations! This is one of my favorite sweaters and I love the color palette it creates! It has a bit of charm along with a touch of sophisticated whimsy. If you happen to be a quilter, I’m sure your sewing room offers up an endless supply of color inspiration… it’s just a matter of applying it to a different medium! So go take a peek!

And of Course… You Can Always Look Online…

I have two favorite places for you to check out online. Do a search for “color palettes” on Pinterest and you’ll find it is an endless resource of color inspiration! Or visit Jessica over on her website Design Seeds or follow her on Instagram. You’ll love her color style.

Plus… Creating Your Own Color Chart Helps…

By creating your own color chart you can quickly and easily match the colors you’re looking for with the colors you already have in your stash. (You can download your own blank color chart and watch a colored pencil video here.)

Last Not Least… Experiment with PicMonkey Collage…

PicMonkey’s Collage is a free site where you can create color palettes from your own photos and more.

It’s as easy as 1-2-3… okay… maybe 4 and 5 too! So here we go…

1. Go to PicMonkey’s Collage and start by clicking the “New” button at the top of the page…
and then choose where you want to grab your image from.

2. Click the “Collage” icon on the left bar and choose the number of color blocks you want to create.

3. Click the “Palette” icon. You will have the choice of changing the background color and the cell colors by clicking on the eyedropper.

4. Move the eyedropper icon over the color you want to choose and click.

5. The eyedropper will change to a paint bucket and you can choose which cell or block to add the color to with a click.

6. Go back to the top and click the “Save” button. You can change the name, resolution, the size and where to save it… and you’re done!
Have fun… and please leave a comment and let me know if this post was helpful and if you’d like more like it!

 Thanks for the visit and God bless you!
xoxo