When I first started coloring, making a color swatch for my markers or pencils sounded tedious.
But when I got my first set of alcohol markers, I quickly realized the caps don’t always represent the true color.
So I created my first color swatch book.
I use this color chart book to keep all my colors, blends, and palettes together
Keep all your references organized in one place.
If you’re not ready to buy the book, you can download a free color swatch page here.
Here’s how you can make your own color swatch.
Before you begin
I’m not sure why, but when I received my alcohol markers, they were all out of order.
I spent some time putting them in numerical order so the color swatch would be easier to make.
If your markers, pencils, gel pens, or crayons come in order or are out of numerical order, but in color order, you may want to leave them as is.
How you order them is a personal choice. Do what you feel works for you.
Step 1- Grab a set of your favorite markers or pencils.
I started with the ones I use the most: these alcohol markers from Amazon.
Step 2 – Color and label
Color the little section with the alcohol marker (or whatever you’ve chosen), and label the swatch with the label on the marker.
Step 3 – Repeat
Do this over and over again until you’re finished.
I like to do this when I first get a set of new pencils or markers. It can feel like a meditation.
How I like to make color swatches:
I found it tedious when I first started doing color codes or swatches.
But as I started to buy more markers, I found it more relaxing. Now it’s become a bit of a ritual.
I like to put on a fun, happy movie, enjoy a beverage (like hot chocolate or an adult beverage depending on my mood), get comfy, and color away.
It’s an excellent way to discover your new markers and test how they work.
This ritual will help you:
- Get familiar with the colors you now have available to you.
- Discover how to use your markers – if there are any angles or techniques that work well
- See how close to the lines you can get with the saturation
If you learn to enjoy making color swatches, it can be a really fun experience.
Make Your Own Color Swatches, Palettes, and Blends!
Keep all your references organized in one place.
