Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned watercolorist, having a custom color chart is invaluable. Fortunately, making a neat and functional chart doesn’t have to involve tedious measuring—there’s a much easier way to do it!
There are artistic people out there who excel at math and measuring. I am not one of them, so making watercolor charts has never been a favorite task of mine (here’s how I used to do it). Over time, as my collection of palettes grew, I kept searching for an easier way. Then, one day, I had a light bulb moment: why not use a traceable template and a light box? Today, I’ll show you my foolproof method for making a watercolor chart that will guide your painting for years to come.
Creating your own watercolor color chart is essential because mass-printed charts cannot capture the true appearance of a pigment. Just take a look at the difference between the charts below!
Putting together a watercolor chart also gives you a chance to get to know your palette. As you paint each swatch, you will make observations about the paint’s appearance and its blending ability. Then, once you’re finished, you’ll use the chart as a reference for finding the perfect colors for your watercolor project. In the instructions below, I’ll show you exactly how to make one.
• Watercolor Palette – (I made today’s chart for a Winsor & Newton Cotman 24-Color Set)
• Printable Chart Templates
• Watercolor Paper – affiliate link
• Light Box – affiliate link
• Fine-Tipped Pen – (I like the Pilot Falcon EF Fountain Pen) – affiliate link
• Size 3 Paintbrush – affiliate link
• Spray Mister – affiliate link
• Double-Sided Tape – affiliate link
• Cleaning Cloth
The majority of watercolor manufacturers sell metal palettes in two standard sizes: 4-3/4″ x 2-3/4″ (12 cm x 7 cm) or 8-5/8″ x 2-3/4″ (22 cm x 7 cm). Begin by measuring your palette to ensure that it fits one of those two dimensions.
If your palette is one of those two sizes, you can use TPK’s Watercolor Printable Palette Chart Templates PDF. If your palette is not a standard size, consider using a program like Photoshop or Photopea to make a template that’s similar to the ones pictured below.
Next, cut out the template that fits your watercolor chart. Then, use a pencil to trace its outline onto a piece of watercolor paper (affiliate link).
Cut out the watercolor paper, then put it in your watercolor palette to make sure it fits. If it’s too large, carefully trim the edges as needed.
If you’re making a color chart for a brand-new palette, unwrap all of the pans. Then, adjust them to fit snugly in the palette. To do this, center each pan beside a metal tab, then push the tab inward to secure it.
You might find that the hardened pigment inside certain pans is at risk of falling out. If that’s the case, consider adding a dab of superglue to the bottom of the pan to secure the pigment to it.
Once all of your watercolors are secure and properly situated, use a spray mister (affiliate link) to moisten all of the pigments.
Now, use a small amount of tape to affix your chart template to the back of your watercolor paper. Then, scrounge up a cleaning cloth, fresh water, a fine-tipped pen (I like to use a Pilot Falcon EF [affiliate link]), and a size 3 paintbrush (affiliate link). Be sure to keep your mister or blunt art syringe at hand for re-hydrating dried-out colors!
Place your template and your watercolor paper on top of a light box. Once you do that, you’ll see the black rectangles on the template shining up through the watercolor paper. Dampen your paintbrush, then pick up pigment from the top-left pan. Fill in half of the corresponding rectangle with the most opaque version of the hue you can create.
Then, before the paint dries, swish off your brush to remove any remaining pigment. Moisten the brush with plain water and use the water to “pull” the hue downward. The result should be a translucent version of the watercolor that blends seamlessly with the more opaque version.
The result will be a color rectangle that features a rich hue at the top, a medium tone in the middle, and a light tone at the bottom.
If you’re new to the world of watercolor, the “pulling” technique might seem a little strange. If that’s the case, check out the minute-long video demonstration below:
Continue to use that same technique for each of the pigments in the top row.
Then, use your fine-tipped pen to write the name of each color under its swatch. The lines on the template will help you create straight, orderly text.
Continue labeling the colors, using your best judgment to align each name neatly under its swatch.
Now, repeat the same steps to complete the bottom row of colors.
Then, once all of the paint and ink on the chart has dried, tuck the chart into the top of the palette. I like to use double-sided tape (affiliate link) to affix the chart to the top of the lid. However, if you prefer a removable color chart, you can skip using the tape.
When you’re done, you’ll have a neat, useful watercolor chart to enjoy for years to come. Trust me: I have neat watercolor charts, and I have sloppily-slapped-together watercolor charts. The palettes with the neat charts are the only ones I use. Cracking them open feels like a breath of fresh air!
I’ve used several techniques to make color charts. So far, the template method is my favorite! You can see another template chart I made in the YouTube short below:
Here’s a photo of the chart from that YouTube short, along with a smaller standard-sized watercolor tin chart.
To make the chart below, I used the measuring method. It’s got a bit more of a whimsical look because of the calligraphy and the more casual swatches.
At the end of the day, the best watercolor chart is the one that works for you. Do you like a more orderly chart? Follow today’s tutorial! Do you prefer a little more whimsy? Try the measuring method. Don’t really care about order or neatness? Just freehand-paint some swatches, then add labels.
I hope that today’s tutorial proves helpful next time you pick up a new watercolor palette (or decide to give an old palette a makeover)! I promise you’ll be glad you took the time to make a chart that sparks joy during every painting—or watercolor calligraphy—session. Thanks so much for reading, and enjoy making your chart!
Warmly,
*This post contains affiliate links to Amazon
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