Illustration Tutorial: 5 Creative Color Palette Tips Every Illustrator Should Know

Master Color Theory with These Easy and Inspiring Tips from Illustrator Allison Cole

If you've ever stared at your canvas wondering which colors to choose, you're not alone. For illustrators and surface designers, color palette decisions are key to making artwork pop and feel cohesive. In this tutorial, artist and surface designer Allison Cole shares 5 expert color palette tips rooted in color theory to help you level up your creative process.

Whether you're designing a pattern, illustration, or digital artwork, these color palette techniques will help you work with confidence and create more vibrant, harmonious compositions.

5 Tips for Creating Stunning Color Palettes

1. Use Reference Images for Inspiration—Not Limitation

Your reference photos are a great starting point—but feel free to break away from realism. Try building a complementary color palette by using colors that sit opposite each other on the color wheel (like blue and orange) to add energy and guide the viewer's eye.

2. Go for Mood with Analogous Colors

Analogous colors—those that sit side by side on the color wheel—are ideal for creating harmony and mood. Stick to warm or cool tones depending on the emotion you want to convey.

Tip: Analogous palettes are perfect for soft, cohesive illustrations.

3. Try Triadic Color Palettes for Vibrancy

A triadic color palette uses three colors evenly spaced around the wheel, like the points of a triangle. This creates a vibrant, energetic mood—especially when one color takes the lead and the others are toned down with tints or shades.

4. Use Adobe Color for Easy Palette Planning

Adobe Color is a free tool that makes it easy to experiment with different color schemes: complementary, analogous, triadic, monochromatic, and more. You can even upload a photo and extract a custom palette from it.

Bonus: Explore thousands of user-generated palettes for instant inspiration.

5. Don’t Settle—Experiment with Color Studies

Your first color palette might not be your best. Test different combinations with small color studies before committing to a final version. You’ll discover new possibilities and avoid palette regret.

Why Color Theory Matters for Creative Work

Mastering basic color theory isn't about following rigid rules—it's about understanding how color choices affect emotion, balance, and flow. With these five tips, you'll be better equipped to design color palettes that enhance your composition and make your creative work shine.

Ready to Learn More About Surface Design?

Explore Allison Cole’s full Domestika course on surface design and dive deeper into illustration techniques, creative workflows, and of course, color magic. Start bringing your patterns and illustrations to life with thoughtful, powerful color choices.