Choosing a cozy color combo

Three colors that belong together, picked in under a minute.

Level: beginner. About 15 minutes.

What you need

• The markers you already own
• A scrap of paper for swatches
• A small, simple drawing to try your combo on
• Palette Studio, if you want ideas (optional)

Steps

1. Start with one color you love

   Pick the marker you would grab first. That is your main color. Everything else is chosen to make this one look good.

2. Add a close neighbor

   Choose a second color that sits next to it on the color wheel, like honey next to apricot. Neighbors always feel calm together.

3. Pick one small accent

   Add a third color from across the wheel, like a soft sage next to warm oranges. Use it only for small bits: a leaf, a ribbon, a dot.

4. Share it out: 60, 30, 10

   Use the main color for most of the drawing, the neighbor for about a third and the accent for the last little bit. Equal amounts look busy.

5. Swatch them side by side

   Color the three swatches next to each other on a scrap. Squint: if one color jumps out too much, swap it for a softer one.

Practice

• Swatch three combos of three colors you own.
• Color the bar: 60% main, 30% partner, 10% accent.
• Color the mug with your favorite combo.