Curating Color Palettes in Four Simple Steps

By: Bonnie Christine

Story Adapted From Pattern Magazine – Volume 4

Pattern Magazine is Bonnie Christine's quarterly print and digital publication for surface pattern designers, artists, and creative entrepreneurs who believe that how you live shapes what you make. This story first appeared in Volume 4, Expansion & Exposure, the spring 2026 issue.

In four simple steps.

I needed a break: a long walk outside, a breath of fresh air. Time away from my desk and the roadblock of creativity I’d been wrestling with all morning.

My steps led me to my garden (no surprise there), and, as I let my mind reset, my attention fell on one of my dahlias.

The color caught my eye. I couldn’t help but notice how the soft pinks of the petals played so beautifully with the green of its leaves. Stepping closer, I began studying this blooming flower and the blush layers and the rich golds and creams in its center. Right in my garden, the most cohesive, beautiful color palette.

I took a few photos, brought this newfound inspiration back to my desk, and let this dahlia shape the colorways of my project. It did so seamlessly.

Ever since, I have looked to nature as the source for my color palettes, gathering inspiration with each passing season. Now I get to share my simple process with you!

There is beauty and authenticity in creating a color palette from your lived experience. The world needs your perspective, what you notice and gather for inspiration. This simple process makes a palette that is unique to you, a color combination that aligns with a beautiful moment you experienced in nature.

The next time you’re gardening or enjoying a walk in the sunshine, focus on enjoying the colors around you. You may just find the perfect inspiration for your next palette.

From Garden To Palette

Pause

The next time you’re outside, take a few moments to study the colors next to each other. How many shades of brown are layered in the bark of the tree in your backyard? See a flower growing between the sidewalk? Pause and count the colors on the petals, leaves, and stem; notice how they complement each other. You may be surprised by how many beautiful color combinations you find.

Photograph

Begin curating your palette by taking photos of the colors you see, such as the bright red tomatoes at your farmers' market, or the golden and black of a honeybee on a lavender flower. Look for combinations that naturally draw your eye, photograph them, and fill your photo library with inspiration. Then use one to three photos to build the foundation of your color palette.

Play

Start exploring the colors in these photos with the eyedropper tool in Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, or Canva. Extract and select the colors from these photos, and continue until you have somewhere between ten and twelve colors that you like.

This part is so fun!

Perfect

Now it’s time to refine these colors into a palette. Look for contrast between your tones; you'll want to include enough dark colors to anchor your palette. As you build, include a few neutrals, such as creams, beiges, grays, and browns, to create a solid foundation and help the other colors pop. Along with these neutrals, consider your background color, like an off-white or cream. Once you have a palette you love, test it by applying it to some of your work. Play around with various combinations and fine-tune until it’s just right.

Wanting More?

This story comes from Volume 4 of Pattern Magazine, Expansion & Exposure. The whole spring issue, with every story and photograph, is at bonniechristine.com/patternmagazine.