When I first started working color into my sketches, I wasn't sure where to even begin. I was used to building a drawing by observing big shapes first, adding smaller details second, and letting imperfections bring the piece to life.
But color in drawing felt like a whole different world—a little intimidating and a lot exciting. If you're feeling the same way, you're in the right place. I'm going to walk you through some simple ways to start using color naturally and confidently, without losing the expressive quality of your line work.
I still approach color the same way I approach sketching scenes: observationally, seeing what's really there rather than what I think should be there. If you're curious about building this observational mindset first, you might enjoy my thoughts on nature journaling and urban sketching.
Let's dive into how you can start using color in drawing without feeling overwhelmed or stiff. I'll share what worked for me, including some early mistakes I made and how you can skip past them.
Key Points for Starting with Color in Drawing
- Start small: Add just one or two colors to your sketches instead of trying to “paint” the whole thing.
- Think in color families: Pick colors that are naturally related (like different greens for a tree) to avoid muddy or clashing sketches.
- Layer lightly: Let your colors build slowly, just like you build big shapes first in a sketch.
How to Approach Color in Drawing with Confidence
The first thing I learned is that color doesn’t have to take over your drawing—it can support it. When you're thinking about color in drawing, think of it as a companion to your line work, not a replacement for it.
Early on, I made the mistake of “coloring in” my drawings like a coloring book. It flattened everything and made my expressive lines feel trapped. I realized that color needed to feel as alive and imperfect as my sketches.
Here’s what helped: I started using color to highlight moments rather than coat everything. For example, if I sketched a street scene, I’d just add color to one awning, or the flowers on a windowsill. This small use of color made the whole scene pop without overwhelming it.
One thing that helped me a lot was focusing on creative expression in drawing rather than “perfect” technique. Color is one more tool for expressing what you see and feel.
A good way to start is by picking one object in your drawing to add color to, rather than coloring everything. For example, if you're sketching a scene and there's a bright red umbrella, just color that. Let everything else stay in pencil or ink. This helps your drawing breathe and lets the color create a natural focal point.
If you want some simple ways to practice this, I've shared easy ideas for drawing that pair well with a limited color focus.
Choosing Materials for Adding Color
You don't need a huge set of supplies to start using color. In fact, starting with fewer materials can help you build skills faster.
I started with:
- A small travel watercolor palette with about 12 colors
- A basic set of colored pencils (no more than 24 colors)
- A handful of brush pens in muted tones (like sepia, indigo, and olive green)
When I first got my watercolor set, I thought I needed every color possible. But what I found is that having too many choices actually made it harder to start. I’d get stuck overthinking color combinations.
Limiting my palette taught me to be resourceful. Mixing two colors to create a third made my work feel more unified. If you’re working with colored pencils, I found that sketching first in pencil, then layering color lightly over the top, gives a natural, textured look. I talk more about this approach in my post on drawing with ballpoint pen techniques—the layering mindset is similar.
Another tool that helped me was using toned paper. Sketching on a tan or gray surface makes white and colored highlights pop without needing to fill the whole page. And if you're curious about how color looks on different surfaces, it’s worth exploring drawing on black paper for a totally different feel.
How to Choose Colors That Work Together
When I first started, I was overwhelmed by the idea of “color theory.” I thought I needed to memorize complementary colors and triadic harmonies. But honestly? Observing real life is the best guide.
In nature, colors are rarely clashing. Greens vary from yellow-green to blue-green. Shadows are often soft purples or blues. Paying attention to those natural shifts can teach you more than any color wheel.
Here’s an exercise that really helped me:
- Pick one object (like a leaf or a building).
- Spend 10 minutes just looking at it. Notice how the light affects the colors.
- Match the colors loosely, not exactly.
If you want to practice observation first, it’s helpful to learn how to draw a scene simply and directly.
Another tip: keep a very limited palette. For example:
- One warm color (red, orange, yellow)
- One cool color (blue, green, purple)
- One neutral (gray, brown)
This forces you to be creative and keeps your drawings feeling unified. Some of my favorite sketches were done with just burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, and a splash of yellow ochre.
If you want to create even more creative combinations, check out these random themes to draw that can push you out of your comfort zone.
Using Color to Strengthen Your Sketchbook Practice
Once you feel a little more comfortable, color can become a natural part of your daily sketching. I’ve found that picking a few simple sketchbook themes really helped me stay motivated.
Here’s how I worked color into my routine:
- Set small challenges: One week, I decided to add just one splash of color to every sketch. The next week, I picked two colors.
- Experiment with time limits: Give yourself 5 minutes to add color to a sketch. Fast decisions often lead to expressive results.
- Accept “mistakes”: If a color feels wrong, I treat it as part of the energy of the sketch. I’m aiming for liveliness, not technical perfection.
If you're feeling stuck, you might like my simple daily drawing prompts or these drawing prompts for beginners to help you stay consistent.
Adding color makes your sketchbook pages feel alive and personal, even if you're just adding a hint of watercolor wash over a pencil sketch. You don't have to “finish” every page either. Letting color be loose and expressive often captures more of the moment than trying to be “correct.”
For more on letting go of perfection, you might find some encouragement in drawing is imperfect.
Practical Exercises to Build Your Confidence
If you want to practice today, here are a few exercises that helped me a lot:
Exercise 1: One Color Only
- Sketch a scene using just one color.
- Focus on values (dark and light) rather than color variety.
Exercise 2: Color First, Lines Second
- Lay down loose washes or colored pencil shapes first.
- Then sketch your line work on top.
- This helped me loosen up and not overthink placement.
Exercise 3: Match the Mood
- Choose colors that match the feeling of the place you're sketching.
- Cold day? Use cool blues and purples.
- Sunny afternoon? Warm golds and oranges.
If you’re interested in strengthening the overall storytelling and mood of your sketches, you might also check out my sketching scenes guide.
Final Thoughts: Your Color Journey is Personal
Everyone’s path with color in drawing is different. Some people love bold, vivid sketches right away. Others (like me) ease in with muted colors and small touches. There's no wrong way to start. The important thing is to keep observing, keep experimenting, and most of all, keep drawing.
If you’re looking for more structured help, I also teach online sketching courses that dive deeper into drawing basics and building creative momentum.
Color is just one more way to bring your sketches to life—and you don't have to master it all at once. Enjoy the process, make mistakes, and celebrate each small step forward. If you'd like more help on developing your personal style as you add color, my guide on how to find your drawing style could give you some extra inspiration.