Pastel palette

Light near-white colors sit together, creating a gentle airy color unity.

Visual traits

• High lightness
• Gentle saturation
• Pale hues

Expected changes

• Colors are more likely to become light and pale
• Strong saturation is more likely to be restrained

Definition

A pastel palette combines colors with near-white lightness and gentle saturation to create a light, soft impression. It does not imply pastel drawing materials, a young subject, spring, or low contrast alone.

In more detail

Pale pink, blue, yellow, or green can look soft beside light neutrals. Hue combination, value contrast, and medium can be chosen separately. It is distinct from mid-value muted palettes and vivid neon palettes.

Includes

• Light pale chromatic colors
• A grouping of softly saturated colors

Excludes

• Pastel as a drawing medium
• Vivid neon colors
• Grayscale without hue

What this does not imply

• Pastel drawing materials
• A spring or child subject
• Low contrast
• A particular hue

Variability

Value contrast, color count, and hues can be adjusted separately.

Usage

• Center light pale colors

Distinguish similar expressions

• Specify medium and value contrast separately

Typical uses

• Create a soft airy color treatment
• Unify an image with light pale colors

Possible failure modes

• Excessive whiteness loses form
• Saturation becomes too strong
• Only achromatic values remain