Choosing colours can completely change the feel of a piece of resin art, and it’s something I spend a lot of time exploring in my Create & Bloom workshops. You don’t need to be an expert in colour theory to create a beautiful palette; understanding just a few simple principles can make choosing colours much easier.
Whether you’re working from a photograph, choosing pigments for an abstract piece or simply standing in front of your craft supplies wondering which colours actually work together, this guide will help you create a palette with confidence.
Why does colour theory matter in resin art?
Colour theory is simply about understanding how colours relate to one another. You don’t need to follow strict rules, but knowing why certain colours naturally work together can help you create pieces that feel balanced and intentional rather than accidental.
It can also help prevent one of the most common frustrations in resin art, choosing several beautiful colours individually, only to find they don’t work together once they’re poured.
Start with the colour wheel
The colour wheel is one of the easiest ways to understand which colours naturally work together. Primary colours, red, yellow and blue, form the basis of the wheel, with secondary and tertiary colours sitting between them.
You don’t need to memorise it. Think of the colour wheel as a tool you can refer to whenever you’re unsure what to pair together. It can help you create harmonious palettes, striking contrasts and more intentional colour combinations.
Three easy ways to build a colour palette
1. Analogous colours
Analogous colours sit next to each other on the colour wheel, such as blue, teal and green. They naturally blend beautifully together and are a great choice when you want your resin art to feel calm and harmonious.
2. Complementary colours
Complementary colours sit opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as blue and orange or purple and yellow. They create much stronger contrast and can make a piece feel bold and energetic. Use them thoughtfully, as mixing complementary colours together too much can create muddy tones.
3. Monochromatic colours
A monochromatic palette uses different shades, tints and depths of the same colour. Try combining a pale blue, rich navy and shimmering blue mica, for example. It’s one of the simplest ways to create a sophisticated palette without worrying about colours clashing.
How many colours should I use in resin art?
There’s no strict rule, but if you’re unsure, start with three colours. Choose one main colour to dominate the piece, a second colour to support it and a third to add contrast or interest. You can then introduce a metallic, glitter or neutral as an accent.
Using fewer colours can often create a stronger finished piece. Too many competing colours can make the artwork feel busy and can increase the chance of colours blending into muddy tones.
How to create a colour palette from a photograph
Photographs are one of my favourite ways to develop a colour palette. A landscape, holiday photograph, flower, sunset or even a favourite place can contain a ready-made combination of colours that already work beautifully together.
Choose three to five colours from the image rather than trying to recreate every shade. Look for one dominant colour, one or two supporting colours and a small accent colour. You can then match these to mica powders, pigment pastes, glitters or other effects in your resin collection.
This is a technique we use in my colour theory workshops at Create & Bloom, and it’s a lovely way to create artwork that has a personal story behind it.
Why do resin colours sometimes turn muddy?
Muddy colours usually happen when too many colours are mixed together or when complementary colours blend more than intended. For example, blue and orange can look incredible next to each other, but once thoroughly mixed they can create brown or grey tones.
Think about how your colours will move once the resin is poured. Leaving areas of separation, using smaller amounts of contrasting colours and avoiding excessive mixing can help keep your colours clean and vibrant.
Mica powders, pigment pastes and glitters – how do they affect colour?
The type of colourant you choose can completely change the finished effect. Mica powders add shimmer and movement, pigment pastes can create stronger opaque colour, while glitters and flakes add sparkle, texture and highlights rather than colouring the resin itself.
Try combining different finishes rather than relying on colour alone. A palette of navy, soft pink and warm neutral, for example, can feel completely different when you introduce a shimmering mica, an opaque pigment and a touch of glitter.
Always check that the colourant you’re using is suitable for resin and follow the recommended amount, as adding too much can affect the way your resin cures.
Trust your creative instinct
Colour theory is there to guide you, not restrict you. Some of the most exciting combinations happen when you experiment, break the rules and discover something unexpected. Use these principles as a starting point, then allow your own style to take over.
Keep photographs, nature, interiors, fashion and everyday colour combinations that catch your eye. The more you experiment with colour, the easier it becomes to recognise palettes that feel like you.
Ready to experiment with colour?
Explore the pigments, mica powders, glitters and creative effects available at Create & Bloom Crafts and start building a colour palette for your next resin project.