Want to Master Colour Mixing? Start with a Colour Chart
- Elena Valerie
- Apr 16
- 4 min read
What We Learned at the Workshop: Mastering Your Palette in One Day with Colour Charts
Over the course of one full day, we dove deep into the fascinating world of colour mixing, palette control, and tonal values — and left with not only a powerful set of tools, but a deeper connection to our paints.
If you're new to the idea of colour charts or wondering what all the fuss is about, let me explain why this seemingly simple exercise is such a powerful breakthrough for artists at any stage of their journey.
🎨 What Are Colour Charts?
Colour charts are a structured way to explore your paint palette. They help you uncover how each colour behaves — its personality, if you will — and how it interacts with others. They also help you understand tinting strength, transparency, tonal value, and colour harmony. These aren’t just pretty swatches; they’re your own handmade reference book for future paintings.
And unlike theoretical colour wheels, these charts are based on the actual paints you own and use. That’s why they’re so important. No more guessing. You’ll know exactly what happens when Cadmium Yellow meets Burnt Sienna, or how your Ultramarine behaves in glazes versus tints.
🖌 What We Did in the Workshop
We began the day by creating our Basic Palette Colour Chart.
Each chart began with five rows:
Row 1 – Pure pigment from the tube
Row 2 – Half-transparent colour mixed with medium
Row 3 – Glazing layer using oil (shows transparency and chroma)
Row 4 – Colour lightened with white to a mid-value
Row 5 – The lightest tint, just barely off-white but still recognisable as that colour
We did this on white canvas sheets so we could observe transparency clearly, especially in the glazing step. By the end, participants were able to identify which paints had stronger tinting power, which colours stayed vibrant even when mixed with white, and how the same pigment could behave so differently depending on how it was used.
In the afternoon, we built on that foundation by creating Predominant Colour Charts.
Each participant selected one colour from their palette (for example, Spectrum Yellow) and created a whole chart where that colour predominated in every mixture. For each pairing, we mixed the dominant colour with every other palette colour — making sure the dominant colour remained visible without completely overpowering the mix.
Then came the value breakdown:
Top row: the dominant mixture
Middle rows: gradually lightened steps
Bottom row: the lightest possible version of the mix, still identifiable as a colour (not just white)
We worked carefully on our palettes before applying any colour to the chart to maintain clean, consistent results. It was a mindful, meditative process — and by the end, each artist had the beginning of their own personal book of colour wisdom.
📘 About the Colour Chart Pack
To make the process smoother, I designed a Colour Chart Template Pack. This includes:
10 pre-designed charts on Canson canvas paper, featuring clean removable tape grids (9x5 squares)
Detailed step-by-step instructions for both chart types
These removable grids keep the charts neat and professional-looking — no muddy edges or accidental smudges. After peeling away the tape (while the paint is still wet!), you're left with crisp, clear swatches that look like they belong in a design studio.
You can use these charts over and over again — not just as reference, but as a creative playground. You’ll be able to:
Quickly find the colour mixture you need while painting
Explore colour harmony by placing charts side-by-side and seeing how predominant tones play off each other
Understand which colours overpower others and how to balance them
Build a visual memory of your palette’s potential
Colour chart templates with removable grids, ideal for organizing and customizing palettes. Includes instructions for easy use.
🧠 Why This Matters
Every artist hears “know your materials,” but how often do we really get to know them? The truth is, no one can teach you colour mixing better than your own hands, eyes, and experience. These charts aren’t homework — they’re discovery tools.
They help you break through the guesswork, build confidence, and create more harmonious, intentional paintings.
Whether you're just starting your oil painting journey or have years of experience, understanding your palette through colour charts is one of the best investments you can make in your artistic practice.
Interested in joining the next workshop or grabbing your own Colour Chart Template Pack?📩 Get in touch to register early or ask any questions. Let’s master colour, one square at a time.
What Participants Said
It’s always such a joy to spend the day with passionate, curious artists—and hearing your kind words after the workshop makes it all the more special:
"Thank you for another amazing day Elena! It is worth putting in the hours on colour charts. Love it 🥰"
"Thank you so much for your educational enthusiasm for our art journey!! You are amazing."
"You are amazing @Elena Valerie 👏👏 Thank you for all you do & the wisdom you pass on 🩷"
Thank you all for bringing your energy, openness, and creativity to the workshop. Seeing you light up with understanding and confidence as you build your colour charts is exactly why I love doing this. 🎨
