Thanksgiving Color Palette in Coloring
Table of Contents
When you think of Thanksgiving, what’s the first color that pops into your mind?
Maybe it’s the deep orange of a pumpkin pie, the golden glow of autumn leaves, or the rich red of cranberry sauce. Let’s walk through simple ways to create a palette perfect for cozy coloring sessions.
Classic Thanksgiving Color Palette Ideas
The most traditional color palette for thanksgiving are rooted in nature and family traditions. They bring a sense of nostalgia and warmth that feels like home, making them a timeless choice for crafts, décor, and coloring pages.
Pumpkin Pie Color
Warm Pumpkin Orange captures the glow of the harvest, bringing warmth and abundance to any Thanksgiving setting. At the heart of this palette is #DA5700 (Baked Pumpkin), supported by #581A01 (Rich Mocha), #742408 (Spiced Brown), #715E23 (Herbal Olive), and #FF9302 (Fresh Pumpkin) to keep the mood cozy and full of flavor.
Perfect for: building warm autumn palettes, highlighting cozy pumpkin tones in coloring pages, or creating rustic seasonal illustrations.
Chocolate Brown
With its earthy depth, Chocolate Brown sets a cozy tone that makes Thanksgiving designs feel both inviting and grounded. The palette highlights #7B3F00 (Chocolate Brown) as the main shade, with #581A01 (Dark Roast), #845842 (Nutmeg Brown), #E99F62 (Pumpkin Spice), and #BF1228 (Cranberry Sauce) rounding out the cozy mix.
Perfect for: adding depth to autumn palettes, grounding cozy Thanksgiving illustrations, and enriching coloring pages with warm, earthy tones.
Golden Yellows & Amber Tones
Like the glow of candlelight or an autumn sunset, golden yellows and amber tones bring warmth and coziness. The palette centers on Golden Yellow (#FFDF00) and Amber (#FFBF00), with touches of Gold (#FFD700), Yellow (#FFFF00), Freesia (#F6C324), Amber Yellow (#F8B845), and Mustard Yellow (#FFDB58).
Perfect for: creating radiant autumn palettes, adding golden highlights to coloring pages, or designing warm seasonal illustrations with a soft glow.
Cranberry
Cranberry red reflects warmth and celebration, adding contrast and liveliness. Alongside Burgundy (#9B121E), Crimson (#BF1228), Burnt Orange (#AC511C), Olive Green (#54671E) and Dark Brown (#69411E).
Perfect for: building bold autumn palettes, bringing festive reds into coloring pages, or adding vibrant contrast to seasonal illustrations.
Sage & Olive Greens
These earthy greens echo harvest vegetables and calm foliage. They balance the richness of oranges and reds, completing the natural Thanksgiving palette.
Main colors: Sage Green (#8A9A5B) and Olive Green (#BAB86C)
Perfect for: enriching autumn palettes with calm greens, blending earthy shades in coloring pages, or adding balance to seasonal illustrations.
Modern Thanksgiving Color Palettes for Coloring Pages
If you want to break away from the traditional orange-and-brown combo, these modern color palettes for Thanksgiving will bring a fresh twist to your coloring pages.
Pastel Autumn Shades
Use Pastel Orange (#FEB346), Brown (#633729), Ochre (#CB6E2D), Pearl (#EDE3C7), Sage (#BFB498), and Dark Pastel Red (#C03B22) to create a lighthearted palette with soft charm.
Perfect for: children's coloring pages, cute animal scenes, or storybook-inspired settings.
Jewel Tones
If you love bold contrast and rich depth, go for Emerald Green (#2E8B57), Sapphire Blue (#1C4E80), and Amethyst Purple (#7C4DFF) with Gold (#FFD700) accents.
Perfect for: magical forests, nighttime Thanksgiving dinners, elegant décor accents, or sophisticated indoor scenes.
How to Create Your Own Thanksgiving Color Palette
The best part about Thanksgiving colors is how personal they can be. You don’t have to follow rules too strictly, just think of what makes you feel cozy, festive, then build your palette from there. Here’s a simple way to get started:
Step 1: Pick your hero color
This is your main mood setter. Think of the first picture that comes to mind when you imagine Thanksgiving, maybe a bright pumpkin, golden leaves or a rich tablecloth.
- Pumpkin Orange #D2691E (playful and bright)
- Wine Red #8B0000 (rich and grounding)
- Maple Gold #DAA520 (warm and celebratory)
Step 2: Add 2–3 supporting colors
These give your palette depth and story. If your hero color is Pumpkin Orange, try pairing it with:
- Earth Brown #8B4513 (wood, table)
- Autumn Gold #FFD700 (leaves, candles)
- Olive Green #556B2F (stems, napkins)
A simple rule to follow: one bold, one neutral, and one soft shade for balance.
Step 3: Balance warm and cool tones
Warm tones like orange, red, and yellow feel cozy, while cooler shades like green or slate grey bring calm.
Too many warm shades can feel heavy, so add a touch of cool to balance things out for example, Cool Slate (#708090) in dishes or background details.
Step 4: Test before you commit
Always swatch your palette first. Color a small shape, like a leaf, with all your chosen shades to see how they work together.
If something feels off, try a lighter or darker variation instead of scrapping the whole palette.
Step 5: Apply in sections
When you start your coloring page, work in stages background first, then the main subject, then smaller details. You can try this ratio:
- Hero color: 50%
- Supporting tones: 30–35%
- Accents: 15–20%
FAQs
What colors are most traditional for Thanksgiving?
Classic Thanksgiving colors include pumpkin orange, rustic browns, golden yellows, cranberry reds, and earthy greens. They’re inspired by harvest time and autumn landscapes.
How do I keep my palette from feeling too busy?
Start with one hero color, add two or three supporting shades, and balance warm with cool tones. Using clear ratios (like 50% hero, 30% support, 20% accent) helps everything look harmonious.
Can I use bright colors in a Thanksgiving design?
Sure thing! Adding bright or unexpected tones, like teal or coral, can make your palette feel modern and playful while still keeping that cozy Thanksgiving spirit.
What colors should I avoid using in a Thanksgiving palette?
Avoid neon brights or icy tones that clash with autumn’s warmth. If a color doesn’t feel cozy, abundant, or grounded, it may not suit a Thanksgiving palette.
What’s the difference between warm and cool Thanksgiving palettes?
Warm palettes glow with oranges, golds, and reds, evoking candlelight and harvest. Cool palettes lean on sage, olive, and muted grays, offering calm and balance. Warm feels festive, cool feels serene.
Can I use the same palette for Thanksgiving and Christmas?
Yes, with care. Deep reds, greens, and neutrals cross over easily. Add oranges and golds for Thanksgiving, then shift to pine, metallics, and crisp whites for Christmas.
Can I use pink in a Thanksgiving palette?
Absolutely! Soft blush or dusty rose adds warmth and elegance when paired with neutrals or oranges. Just avoid overly bright pinks unless balanced with grounding tones.
