ARTISTIC THEME
Colored pencil palettes for water, sky and ice
Explore 168 colored pencil palettes for water, sky and ice and continue working with them in the interactive Atlas.
168 palettes · 6 brands · 5 color roles
How colors are organized in water, sky and ice palettes
These palettes rely on reflections, transparency and gentle temperature changes. Surrounding light modifies water, sky and ice, so the value scale should feel connected.
Light
Preserves highlights, light clouds, foam and transparent areas where the paper supplies luminosity.
Base
Defines the scene’s dominant blue, green or gray and maintains its atmosphere.
Transition
Creates sky gradients, depth in water and gentle changes within ice.
Accent
Adds warm reflections, turquoise, violets or small contrasts that enrich the surface.
Depth
Marks waves, cracks, dense clouds and areas where water is no longer transparent.
Palettes for water, sky, snow and ice
Explore transparent, stormy and luminous combinations. Observe how the same structure changes from an open sky to deep water or ice.
Calm sea · Natural
Five pencils organized around this combination, balancing light, main color, nuance and depth.
Open Calm sea · Natural in the AtlasCalm sea · Natural
Five pencils organized around this combination, balancing light, main color, nuance and depth.
Open Calm sea · Natural in the AtlasCalm sea · Natural
Five pencils organized around this combination, balancing light, main color, nuance and depth.
Open Calm sea · Natural in the AtlasCalm sea · Natural
Five pencils organized around this combination, balancing light, main color, nuance and depth.
Open Calm sea · Natural in the AtlasCalm sea · Natural
Five pencils organized around this combination, balancing light, main color, nuance and depth.
Open Calm sea · Natural in the AtlasCalm sea · Natural
Five pencils organized around this combination, balancing light, main color, nuance and depth.
Open Calm sea · Natural in the AtlasCalm sea · Higher contrast
Five pencils organized around this combination, balancing light, main color, nuance and depth.
Open Calm sea · Higher contrast in the AtlasCalm sea · Higher contrast
Five pencils organized around this combination, balancing light, main color, nuance and depth.
Open Calm sea · 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 water, sky and ice palettes
Simple answers for adapting combinations to your pencils, paper and way of coloring.
Does water always have to be blue?
No. It reflects the sky, the bottom and nearby objects. It can contain greens, violets, grays, ochres or warm sunset colors.
How do I make ice look transparent?
Alternate sharp and soft edges, preserve light areas and introduce cool shadows beside small reflections from the surroundings.
How do I make a sky gradient without bands?
Use very light layers, widen the transition area and change direction between layers. Do not try to reach the final intensity in one pass.
Where should I put darks in water?
In deep areas, interrupted reflections, wave bases and overlapping elements. Avoid outlining the entire surface with the same contour.
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