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Color Play

There are no wrong color choices.

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Whether you've explored Color Basics or you're just getting started, it's time to stop reading about color and start using it.​

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Today's goal isn't to create a masterpiece.

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It's simply to notice what happens when colors come together.

Lavender brushstroke

New to color? Learn the basics of warm and cool colors, value, and simple color combinations before you begin.

What You'll Need

  • Paper (mixed media, cardstock, or watercolor paper)

  • Paint, markers, or colored pencils

  • Brush, sponge, or palette knife (if using paint)

  • Water and paper towel (if using paint)

Optional

  • Scissors

  • Glue

  • Painted papers

Remember: You don't have to know what you're making before you begin. Sometimes playing with color is enough.

① Choose Three Colors

Keep it simple.

Pick any three colors.

You could even use one of the palettes from Color Basics.

Don't worry if they seem unusual together.

Sometimes unexpected combinations become your favorites.

Palette with three colors of paint, paint bottles and a paint brush.

② Fill the Page
 

Colorful painted shapes exploring color through creative play.

Cover your paper with simple marks.
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Try:

  • circles

  • stripes

  • dots

  • brushstrokes

  • squares

  • wavy lines

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There's no need to draw objects.
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Just enjoy making color.

③ Layer Your Colors

Once part of the page is dry, layer another one of your three colors over some of the marks you already made.
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Try:

  • painting over another color

  • making dots on top of stripes

  • dragging a dry brush through wet paint​

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Leave some of the earlier colors showing.
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See what changes.

Colorful painted shapes exploring color through creative play.

④ Notice What You Like

Before you keep going...

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Pause.

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Ask yourself:

  • Which color catches your eye?

  • Which combination surprises you?

  • Which area feels calm?

  • Which area feels energetic?

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There are no right answers.

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You're simply training your eye.

Colorful painted shapes exploring color through creative play.

Free Guide

Color Play Guide​

Ready for more practice?


Download the printable guide.

⑤ Create Small Color Studies

Draw four or six small boxes on another sheet of paper.

In each box, create a different color study using the same three colors.
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Try:

  • mostly one color

  • equal amounts of each color

  • one bright accent

  • lots of light colors

  • mostly dark colors​

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Notice how each study feels different, even though you're using the same three colors.

Color study exercises using teal, purple, and yellow paint with different marks and patterns

⑥ Optional: Cut and Rearrange

Cut painted paper shapes rearranged into a colorful abstract composition

Cut your painted paper into:

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  • strips

  • squares

  • circles

  • organic shapes

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Arrange the pieces in different ways before gluing.
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Notice how new patterns and color relationships begin to appear.
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Pause & Notice

lavender brushstroke

What colors made you smile?
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Which ones surprised you?
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Which color combination would you like to explore again?
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Write down one combination you want to remember.

Keep Playing

Try another page. This time, use...
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  • only warm colors

  • only cool colors

  • one color in several shades

  • a brand-new three-color palette

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Every page will teach you something new.

Remember​​

You don't learn color by memorizing it.
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You learn it by using it.
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Every page is an experiment.
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Every experiment teaches you something.

Try It Again
 
Challenge: Create three Color Play pages this week. Try a different three-color palette each time.

Explore More Tutorials →

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