Tool
Colour Harmony Generator
Pick a base colour and see every classic harmony on the colour wheel, with values you can match to your pencils.
A colour harmony generator shows which colours work well together by calculating their positions on the colour wheel. Pick one base colour and it returns classic schemes such as complementary, analogous and triadic, which you can use to plan a balanced palette for a drawing.
Free to try. Free: complementary, analogous and triadic. Pro adds split-complementary, tetradic, square and monochromatic. Pro is a £3.99 one-off payment, unlocks Pro features in every tool.
Get ProTip: the grey chip shows each colour's value. Pick pencils that match both the hue and the value you need.
How to generate a colour harmony
- Choose a base colour. Move the hue control to the colour that will dominate your drawing.
- Pick a harmony type. Choose from complementary, analogous, triadic and more. Each one follows a fixed geometric pattern on the wheel.
- Read the palette. The swatches show the scheme with colour values you can copy.
- Match to your pencils. Pick the nearest pencils for each swatch and use one colour as the dominant, one as support and one as an accent.
Using colour harmonies in a drawing
Harmony schemes are shortcuts for choosing colours that belong together. Pick a base colour and the tool shows the colours that relate to it on the wheel, with hex values and a value chip so you can see how light or dark each one is.
- Complementary - two opposites. High contrast; let one dominate and use the other as an accent.
- Split-complementary - a base plus the two colours either side of its opposite. Contrast with less tension.
- Analogous - neighbours. Calm and cohesive; add a small contrast accent for life.
- Triadic - three evenly spaced colours. Balanced and vibrant.
- Monochromatic - one hue in several values. Superb for mood and for training your eye.
Treat the results as a starting palette. In coloured pencil you rarely use a pure scheme - you layer neutrals and near-neighbours over the top to build believable colour.
Frequently asked questions
What is a complementary colour?+
Complementary colours sit opposite each other on the colour wheel - for example red and green, or blue and orange on the traditional artist's wheel. Placed side by side they create strong contrast; mixed together they neutralise each other.
What is the difference between analogous and triadic schemes?+
Analogous schemes use neighbouring colours for a calm, harmonious effect. Triadic schemes use three colours spaced evenly around the wheel for a balanced but lively feel.
Why offer a traditional artist's wheel as well as the digital one?+
Screens mix light (red, green, blue), while pigments and pencils are traditionally taught on a red-yellow-blue wheel. The two wheels place colours differently, so the artist's wheel is usually more useful when choosing pencils.
Do I have to follow these schemes?+
No. They are starting points that help you make deliberate choices. Most convincing drawings break the rules a little - usually by adding neutrals and subtle temperature shifts.
Which colour harmony is best for a beginner?+
Analogous schemes, where the colours sit next to each other on the wheel, are the easiest to make look harmonious. Complementary schemes add more contrast but need care with balance.
How do I use a triadic colour scheme in a drawing?+
Let one colour dominate, use the second as support and keep the third for small accents. Using all three equally tends to look busy.
What is a monochromatic colour scheme?+
A monochromatic scheme uses one hue in different values and saturations. It is a good way to practise value control in coloured pencil.