Painting with a Limited Color Palette in Watercolor: How (and Why) to Keep It Simple

Let’s talk about painting with a limited color palette.

This is something I come back to again and again. Not because it’s trendy or technical, but because it’s fun, it takes the pressure off, and it helps you really get to know your paints.

In this post, I’m going to walk you through what a limited color palette actually is, why it’s such a helpful tool for watercolorists (especially if you're just getting started), and how to choose a few standout colors that work together beautifully. You’ll also learn a few watercolor techniques that pair really well with a limited palette so you can get the most out of every brushstroke!

What is a limited color palette?
Why paint with fewer colors?
How to choose your colors
Watercolor techniques to try with a limited color palette
FAQs about limited palettes
Final thoughts: simple doesn't mean boring!

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What is a limited color palette?

A limited color palette simply means you’re using fewer paint colors on purpose. For me, it usually means two to four paints. Instead of pulling out your full collection of supplies, you’re intentionally simplifying.

And here’s the thing. It doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It actually gives you more freedom to experiment and opens you up to new realizations about how to work with your supplies. When you’re not juggling fifteen colors, you can slow down, notice how the paint interacts, and elevate your skills as a result!

Two loose watercolor paintings with limited palettes

Why paint with fewer colors?

There are so many good reasons to try painting with a limited color palette. Here are a few of my favorites:

Limited palettes create instant harmony in your piece. Everything naturally feels like it belongs together since it all comes from the same few colors.
It reduces decision fatigue. No agonizing over which of the 15 greens in your various palettes to use. You’ve already picked your core colors.
It makes you better at color theory, which makes you a better watercolorist. You get to know each pigment more closely as you make it the focus of your piece.
It’s a low-pressure way to experiment. You can test out colors you don’t normally reach for and see how they feel.

You’ll be surprised at how much you can do with just a few colors. And how much you’ll learn in the process.

How to choose your colors

This part can be really fun, and I encourage you to treat it like a moment to play and explore, not a decision to agonize over.

Here are some helpful ideas for how to pick your colors! Remember, we’re keeping this limited, so start with just two colors.

Complementary colors

These are the colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. They’re combinations that are supposed to naturally make each other "pop," so it’s a good place to start. Complementary colors include:

Red and Green
Blue and Orange
Yellow and Purple

And the cool thing is, you can use any variation within each color family and it still counts as complementary! For example, a light mint green and pink are complementary since they’re part of the red and green families!

Add a third support color if needed

You might want to include something neutral or grounding, like a Payne’s Gray or a Burnt Umber. That way, you have two colors that complement each other and one for contrast.

And don’t forget, the white of the paper counts as a color too. Especially if you're utilizing whitespace in a loose floral piece!

In this example, I chose red and blue as the main colors and added a few dashes of green for variation.

Try a triad of primary colors

One of my favorite ways to explore a limited palette is to choose a yellow, blue, and pink and then mix every color using only those colors. My favorite triad is Nickel Azo Yellow, Phthalo Blue (Green Shade), and Quinacridone Magenta, but you can play around with it.

Let me show you a couple examples of using only a triad of primaries.

This Dahlia bloom was painted with only three colors, and so was this Magnolia branch.

Here is a different triad of colors. Here you can see how changing your limited palette can change the look and feel of a whole piece. In this exercise, I used Green Gold, Alizarin Crimson, and Phthalo Blue (Green Shade). I used Green Gold as my "yellow" in this triad.

Techniques to Try with a Limited Color Palette

When you’re only working with two or three paints, how you use them becomes just as important as which ones you choose. Limiting your palette is a great way to refine your technique and see how far each pigment can really go.

Here are four techniques that pair beautifully with a limited palette.

1. Create Dimension with Paint Consistency

A single color can look completely different depending on how much water you use. That means you can create different hues, shadows, and highlights, all with a single pigment. Try this by painting a page of leaves using one color but different amounts of water.

This Valentine's Heart wreath uses just one color for the roses, Alizarin Crimson, and I created a lot of variation in the hue just by adding more water or pigment!

2. Try Wet-into-Wet with a Single Color

You don’t need lots of different colors to create interest. Just let the paint bloom and pool. A wet-into-wet wash using one hue can give you beautiful variation within a single flower or shape.

3. Layer the Same Color for Depth

No need to reach for darker paints. Just build up layers of the same pigment. With transparent watercolors, this creates soft dimension without ever muddying your limited palette. Learn more about layering (aka glazing) in this blog post about essential watercolor techniques for beginners.

We practiced glazing with the same transparent color in this recent bouquet project:

4. Use the White of the Paper as a Color

When your palette is small, the white of the page becomes a powerful design tool. Leave intentional whitespace to give shape to your flowers, and let your limited palette shine!

FAQ: Limited Palette Watercolor

How many colors should I use?

For most beginner-friendly limited palette projects, stick to two to four colors total.

Can I mix my own colors?

You sure can! It's a great way to figure out how specific paints interact. If you're just starting out, use the color as-is first and then build in some complexity by mixing colors.

Tip: Take notes as you go so you can recreate your favorite mixes!

What if I choose colors that don’t look good together?

That’s part of the learning process! Swatching helps, and so does just painting and noticing what you like. Even “bad” combos teach you something.

What paper should I use?

I always recommend Arches 140lb Cold Pressed Watercolor Paper. It’s not the cheapest paper out there, but it is the best. Even if you’re just practicing, I recommend using “the good supplies” to save yourself the time and effort of "re-learning" water control when you eventually switch to high-quality paper.