3 Color Challenge Palette & Tips
Table of Contents
Purple
Yellow
Orange
Download The Cozy Collection Color Palette Sheet (3 Color Challenge)
Ever look at a full marker set and suddenly have no clue which colors to pick? That’s where a 3-color challenge can actually be pretty fun.
With just three shades, you get to focus more on where each color goes, how they work together, and what kind of mood you want the page to have. For this one, we’re breaking down the palette, the coloring order, and a few easy tips you can use on your own page.
What Is a 3 Color Challenge?
A 3-color challenge is a coloring challenge where you pick just three colors and use them across the whole page. You can repeat them in different areas, layer them for more depth, or use lighter and darker shades based on those same three colors.
A Quick Tip First:
For a page like this, it helps to have a rough idea of where the light is coming from before you start coloring. Lightly sketch the light direction with a pencil so you can see which areas stay bright and which fall into shadow.
Tip: Keep the pencil lines very light so they’re easy to erase later.
Pick Your Three Favorite Colors
You can grab any three markers or build a Curated Palette with colors you already know you like together. For this page, we went with purple, yellow, and orange to keep the palette balanced but still playful.
Purple works as the cool base, yellow carries most of the warm main areas, and orange comes in as the accent to add contrast and small pops of color.
Start With Purple
Once you’ve got your three colors, start with the one you want to see the most. For this page, we went with purple and used it across the bigger areas first, then brought it back in a few smaller details.
Tip: One easy trick is to start with one even layer of purple, let it dry, then add a second layer only along the edges, under objects, and in the corners. You’ll get a darker shade without bringing in a fourth color.
Bring In Yellow
Next, bring in yellow for the characters and bigger areas like the washer. Since it’s the brightest color in the palette, it naturally pulls your eye toward the main parts of the page.
Tip: Keep yellow mostly in the areas catching the light. Where the two colors meet, let the darker area dry first so the yellow stays clean and doesn’t pick up any extra ink.
Finish With Orange
Orange comes in last for the little pops of color. We used it on the shoes, bottles, laundry, and a few small details to break up the purple and yellow and give the page a warmer finish. Repeating it in just a few spots is enough to make the whole palette feel more pulled together.
Tips for a 3 Color Challenge
1. Swatch all three colors first
Try the three colors side by side before you start. If one doesn’t quite work with the others, it’s easier to switch it out before you get too far into the page.
2. Decide where the big color areas go first
Before coloring, quickly pick which color will go on the largest parts, like the background, characters, or machines. This helps you avoid ending up with too much of one color in one corner.
3. Don’t put the same color on everything that touches
When two objects sit right next to each other, switch colors when you can. It makes small details easier to see, even with such a limited palette.
4. Let the first layer dry before going darker
If you want more depth without adding a fourth color, let the first layer dry and go over a few shadow areas again with the same marker.
The Cozy Collection Book
This cozy laundry scene from The Cozy Collection was our pick for the 3-color challenge. It brings 40 Coco Wyo favorites into one spiral book, plus 5 exclusive designs, so there’s always something different to color depending on the vibe that day.
The book, 48 markers, and little extras all stay together in one carry box too, which makes it easy to keep nearby or take along for a coloring day with friends. There’s also a little Mood Check-In on every page, so the colors can follow whatever mood you’re in that day!
FAQs
Do I need to plan the whole page before I start?
Not really. It helps to pick your main color and roughly decide where the light and shadow will go, then you can figure out the smaller details as you color.
How do I know where to add shadows?
Look for spots under objects, along edges, and anywhere the light would not hit directly. Starting with just a few small shadow areas keeps it easier for beginners.
What coloring tools work well for a page like this?
Alcohol markers are a great option for smooth color and easy layering. We used alcohol markers for this page, but colored pencils or water-based markers can work too depending on the look you like.
How do I keep marker colors from bleeding into each other?
Let one area dry before coloring right next to it, especially when a dark shade meets a lighter one. Using the fine tip near edges can help too.
