Transforming a ‘Worst’ Color Palette Into a Beautiful Coloring Page

Sometimes, the most challenging color palettes can surprise you! In this project, I worked with a color palette picked by my 10-year-old... one he thought was the worst in the book. At first, I wasn’t sure it would work, but by layering base colors, adding details, and making a few creative adjustments, the page came to life. Here's exactly how I did it!

• Start with Base Colors
  I began by laying down all the base colors from the palette, which included pink, blue, and grey tones. To add variety, I diversified the palette by using lighter and darker shades of pink and blue, plus a hint of grey.
• Add a Creative Twist
  Although green wasn’t in the palette, I included it for the leaves in the picture. Sometimes, a small adjustment like this can help tie the design together without overwhelming the original palette.
• Add Details with a Pen
  Details like wood grain, textures on the dog, and slippers were added with a fine pen. This step is where the design really starts to take shape.
• Enhance with Shadows
  Shadows were added in the creases of objects and in areas where light wouldn’t hit, using darker tones from the palette. This gave the illustration depth and dimension.
• Finish with White Highlights
  The final step was using a white acrylic pen for highlights. This added a polished look and brought the whole picture to life.

Pens: Ohuhu Markers

Book: Girl Moments by Coco Wyo