Pastel colors are colors with high value and low saturation. They fit perfectly with fashion, web, and any other designs with their pale color combinations.
Here, we'll explore the default pastel color palette in Photoshop. We'll also learn how to make a pastel color scheme with the color picker tool. You'll discover some useful solid pastel color codes. Finally, we will create a pastel palette with Adobe Color.
Learn to create your own solid pastel color codes with a quick video from the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:
What You'll Learn in This Tutorial on Pastel Color Palettes in Photoshop
- How to access the default pastel colors in Photoshop
- How to create your own pastel color scheme using the default Color Libraries
- How to create a Photoshop pastel color palette using the Color Picker tool
- How to create a pastel color palette in Photoshop with Adobe Color
- Useful pastel color code Photoshop examples
Tutorial Assets for Making a Pastel Palette
The following assets were used during the production of this Photoshop color palette tutorial:
- Photo of French Macaroons (No longer available. You can try this one instead.)
- Photo of Riga (a picture of pastel colors)
1. How to Access the Default Pastel Color Palettes in Photoshop
Step 1
There are two ways to open the default color libraries in Photoshop. Let's start with the Color Picker tool, click on the Foreground Color, and then select Color Libraries.
Step 2
Press the Book button to see all the available libraries.
Step 3
The second way to open the color library is to go to Window > Swatches and then hit Icon in the top-right corner of the Swatches panel.
And here you can see all the available default color libraries.
Step 4
The main difference between these two methods is that when you open the color library in the Swatches panel, it automatically adds all the colors as swatches. If you open the color library in the Color Picker, it shows you the colors in the right column and different variations of the selected color in the left column. You'll see a variety of colors of pastel.
I can recommend the following libraries where you can find pastel colors:
- ANPA colors
- Pantone+ Solid Uncoated
- Pantone+ Pastel&Neons
Here are some examples of the Photoshop pastel color palette I created with these libraries:
2. How to Create Your Own Pastel Color Scheme Using the Default Color Libraries
Step 1
Let's create our own pastel color codes. Open the ANPA color library with a lot of solid pastel colors. As you can see, the first four solid pastel colors of this library have a pretty low saturation with high value settings and could be useful for creating your own pastel color schemes. You can even find some white pastel colors to work with.
Step 2
To add a new swatch, you should select the variation of the color that you like, and then hit Picker and select Add to Swatches. Now we have access to the desired color in our Swatches panel.
Step 3
Let's add four more colors using the same method. I chose purple, turquoise, green, and yellow. As you can see, it's pretty easy to create your own pastel preset Photoshop color schemes using the ANPA color library.
Imagine all the pastel colors you can create from now on. You could even try creating white pastel colors for your design.
3. How to Create a Photoshop Pastel Color Palette Using the Color Picker Tool
Now let's create a pastel gradient Photoshop color scheme using a color picker and the image of the sunset. This will give us our pastel color palette. You can work with other pastel color pictures.
Open your picture of pastel colors. Open the Color Picker tool, and then select the colors sequentially and add them to swatches.
That's your pastel color palette! This is how our pastel gradient Photoshop color scheme looks:
And here's another example of pastel preset Photoshop swatches created with colors from another image:
Try this out with different pastel color pictures. Discover all the pastel colors you can get.
4. How to Create Pastel Color Palette Photoshop Swatches Using Adobe Color
Step 1
In this section of our pastel color Photoshop tutorial, let's try Adobe Color for creating pastel palettes. In the left column, you can see different harmony rules, and before creating your new pastel palette, you need to select the one you want to use.
Step 2
I chose the Square harmony rule for my Photoshop pastel color palette. To get pastel color code Photoshop presets, you need to keep the points near the center of the circle.
Step 3
Be sure that the Saturation setting of each color is about 20-40% and the Value setting is about 80-100%.
Step 4
Once you've found the colors you like, you can save them to your Creative Cloud library. Just select the existing library (or create a new one) and then press Save. Also, you can find pastel color swatches for Photoshop to download for free in the Adobe Color explore panel. Play around with pastel tones and choose the pastel color swatch you'd like to work with!
5. Pastel Palette Photoshop Color Codes
Step 1
Now I want to show you some very useful pastel color codes for your projects. Let's start with the Hex pastel color codes:
#f7959d#f8b586#f5f394#d1f6b3#b9cef0#f3b6eb
Want to modify your pastel tone? You could play with the Hue, Saturation, and Brightness settings to change the look of the palette.
Step 2
Let's look at the pastel color codes for the CMYK color mode:
- C=1 M=38 Y=0 K=0
- C=1 M=18 Y=0 K=0
- C=25 M=8 Y=0 K=0
- C=15 M=0 Y=2 K=0
- C=2 M=4 Y=8 K=0
- C=2 M=11 Y=18 K=0
Beautiful Pastel Color Scheme Downloads From Envato Elements
Now you know how to create your own pastel color swatch. But if you're obsessed with solid pastel colors and visual elements, we've got some pretty cool resources for you.
Check out this selection of pastel color scheme downloads from Envato Elements. You'll find form backgrounds and textures in all the pastel colors you can imagine!
1. Pastel Palette: Noise Background (JPG)
Create beautiful pastel noise backgrounds with this download. You'll get 15 abstract images created in various noise conditions. Use these textures for presentations, web backgrounds, book covers, etc. You can even import these to Photoshop and play around with opacity and layer masks to edit cool pastel color pictures.
2. Pastel Color Palette: Flowers (JPG, PNG, PSD)
Looking for beautiful pastel color pictures? This flower pattern is perfect to use for different occasions. Create amazing wedding invitations using this pastel color palette. Make a lovely background for a notebook cover or a love letter. This image could even inspire your next pastel color swatch!
3. Pastel Palette for Dessert Icons (SVG, PNG, AI, PSD)
If you're obsessed with all pastel color codes, this is an icon set you need to try. Get a set of 30 different and delicious desserts to use for different projects. These pastel palette icons could work perfectly for a dessert online business or to design cute social media posts.
4. 30 Pastel Watercolor Backgrounds (JPG)
This is a great pastel color download to add to your collection. You'll get 30 different pastel watercolor backgrounds in all pastel colors, including white pastel color codes. Use the watercolor texture to give some depth and craftiness to your designs. They will almost look handmade.
5. Nude Acrylic Strokes: Unique Pastel Color Palette (PNG)
If you're into unique pastel color codes, this is a design asset to die for. With this download, you'll get 57 brush strokes to give some dynamism to your designs. All pastel colors are included, even some white pastel colors. Get this set of brush strokes and start designing beautiful pastel color pictures!
Conclusion to This Photoshop Color Palette Tutorial for Solid Pastel Colors
Today we've discovered what pastel color schemes are and how to create pastel Photoshop color palettes. Have fun with the color combinations!
If you are looking for pastel color swatches for Photoshop to download, then check out Envato Elements. Find a really great number of high-quality Photoshop resources including pastel color swatches and pastel colors.
If you want to learn more about Photoshop color palettes and color-based effects, check out these tutorials:
How to Create Five On-Trend ASE Color Palettes in Adobe Software
The 5 Problems With Fundamental Color Theory
How to Create Pop Art Photo Effects With Photoshop Actions
How to Create a Photoshop Color Effect Action
30 Cool Photoshop Watercolor Effects & Filters With Texture
How to Create Moon Brushes for Photoshop
30 Cool Photoshop Photo Effects to Add Style & Wow
How to Create a Photo-to-Cartoon Effect in Photoshop
How to Make a Risograph Texture Effect
Summer Color Palette Inspiration: Trending Palettes and Templates
Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Janila Castañeda. Janila is a staff writer with Envato Tuts+.
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