Tool
Palette from Photo
Upload a reference photo and extract its main colours with hex values, value groups and light and dark tints to plan your pencil layers.
A palette from photo tool samples the most common colours in an image and lists them with hex codes. For pencil artists it also shows lighter and darker tints of each colour, which helps you choose pencils and plan the order of your layers.
Free to try. Free up to 4 colours; Pro unlocks up to 10, copy-all and the swatch sheet download. Pro is a £3.99 one-off payment, unlocks Pro features in every tool.
Get ProTip: click anywhere on the image to add that exact colour to your palette.
How to get a colour palette from a photo
- Add your reference photo. Choose an image from your device or try the sample. The image is processed in your browser.
- Choose how many colours. Pick the number of colours to extract. Four to six is plenty for most drawings.
- Focus on your subject. If the background is dominating the palette, turn on the focus on subject option so the colours reflect the part you are drawing.
- Sample extra colours. Click anywhere on the reference to pick up a specific colour you want to match.
- Match to your pencils. Use the hex values and tints to choose the closest pencils from your set, then swatch them on a scrap of your drawing paper.
Planning colour before you pick up a pencil
Most beginners choose pencils one object at a time and end up with colours that do not sit together. A quick palette from your reference shows the handful of colours that carry the picture, how much of the image each covers, and how light or dark each one is - which is where value matters most.
- Value group tells you whether a colour belongs to the lights, mid-tones or darks. Build your drawing in value order and keep the groups distinct.
- Temperature (warm, cool or neutral) helps you decide where to place temperature shifts, such as cooler shadows and warmer lights.
- Shadow and highlight tints are starting points for layering, so each colour is built from several thin layers rather than one flat pencil.
Then choose pencils to match each swatch, swatch them on your real paper and adjust. On grey or toned paper, remember the paper colour shows through your layers - read colour theory on grey paper.
Frequently asked questions
How does the palette from photo tool work?+
It shrinks your photo, then groups similar pixels into a chosen number of clusters and reports the average colour of each. The result is the handful of colours that best represent the picture, with how much of the image each covers.
Does it match my coloured (colored) pencils?+
It gives you screen colours (hex values), not pencil numbers. Use each swatch as a target: layer two or three pencils until they visually match, testing on the paper you will draw on. Screen colours also shift with your display, so trust your eye over the numbers.
What are the shadow and highlight tints for?+
They are quick starting points for layering: a slightly deeper, cooler shade for shadow areas and a lighter, warmer tint for highlights, so you can plan how each colour will be built up rather than using one flat pencil.
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?+
No. Everything happens in your browser and your image never leaves your device.
How do I choose coloured pencils from a photo?+
Extract the main colours, then compare each swatch to your pencils on the same paper you will draw on. Screen colours and pencil colours never match exactly, so treat the palette as a guide and test before committing.
Why do the palette colours look different from my pencils?+
Screens mix light while pencils deposit pigment, and paper colour changes every layer. Matching by value and temperature, rather than exact hex, gives better results.
How many colours should I use in a drawing?+
Many strong drawings use a limited palette of six to twelve pencils, built up in layers. A smaller palette also helps the work feel unified.
Does the tool work with black and white photos?+
It will return greys, which is correct for a monochrome image. For graphite or charcoal work, try the Value Study Tool instead.