ARTISTIC THEME
Colored pencil palettes for sweet and pastel colors
Explore 168 colored pencil palettes for sweet and pastel colors and continue working with them in the interactive Atlas.
168 palettes · 6 brands · 5 color roles
How colors are organized in sweet and pastel colors palettes
Pastel palettes need lightness and clean mixtures, but also small value differences so the forms do not disappear. The aim is not to make every pencil equally pale.
Light
Maintains an airy appearance and preserves nearly white areas without losing form.
Base
Defines the illustration’s or character’s dominant soft color.
Transition
Connects delicate shades without creating hard edges or gray mixtures.
Accent
Adds a slightly more saturated point in eyes, cheeks, accessories or small details.
Depth
Used sparingly to separate planes and prevent everything from sitting at the same level.
Sweet, luminous pastel palettes
Explore soft combinations for characters, backgrounds, kawaii illustrations and delicate scenes. Each palette retains a depth color to preserve volume.
Cloud pink · Natural
Five pencils organized around this combination, balancing light, main color, nuance and depth.
Open Cloud pink · Natural in the AtlasCloud pink · Natural
Five pencils organized around this combination, balancing light, main color, nuance and depth.
Open Cloud pink · Natural in the AtlasCloud pink · Natural
Five pencils organized around this combination, balancing light, main color, nuance and depth.
Open Cloud pink · Natural in the AtlasCloud pink · Natural
Five pencils organized around this combination, balancing light, main color, nuance and depth.
Open Cloud pink · Natural in the AtlasCloud pink · Natural
Five pencils organized around this combination, balancing light, main color, nuance and depth.
Open Cloud pink · Natural in the AtlasCloud pink · Natural
Five pencils organized around this combination, balancing light, main color, nuance and depth.
Open Cloud pink · Natural in the AtlasCloud pink · Higher contrast
Five pencils organized around this combination, balancing light, main color, nuance and depth.
Open Cloud pink · Higher contrast in the AtlasCloud pink · Higher contrast
Five pencils organized around this combination, balancing light, main color, nuance and depth.
Open Cloud pink · Higher contrast in the AtlasHow to read and apply these palettes
First observe relationships between lightness, temperature and depth; then adapt pressure and layer order to your paper.
Frequently asked questions about sweet and pastel colors palettes
Simple answers for adapting combinations to your pencils, paper and way of coloring.
How do I keep a pastel palette from lacking contrast?
Include at least one depth color and compare the combination in grayscale. Softness does not require identical values.
Can I create pastel colors with intense pencils?
Yes. Use light pressure, leave more paper visible and apply thin layers. A saturated pencil can produce a soft result if you control the amount applied.
What if the mixtures turn gray?
Reduce the number of layers, avoid combining too many complementary colors and clean the tip between light and dark shades.
Where should I put the strongest accent?
In a small area you want to highlight, such as the eyes, a bow, a flower or an accessory. This preserves the palette’s delicate feeling.
Turn the combination into a useful palette for your drawing
Open the Atlas, check the exact pencils and substitute each color with another that performs the same visual role.
Open this theme in the Atlas