How to Choose Colours for Your Mandala: 7 Beautiful Colour Palettes for Beginners
Have you ever opened your box of coloured pencils, looked at a beautiful mandala, and suddenly had no idea which colours to choose?
You are not alone.
With so many colours available, choosing a palette can sometimes feel harder than colouring the mandala itself.
The good news? You don’t need complicated colour theory or dozens of shades to create a beautiful mandala.
A simple combination of 3–5 colours is often all you need. The key is choosing colours that work well together and repeating them throughout your design.
In this guide, we’ll explore 7 easy colour palettes using colours you can easily find in a basic set of coloured pencils.
1. Soft Pink & Purple
Colours to use:
- Pink
- Light pink
- Purple
- Lavender
- White
This is an easy palette if you want your mandala to have a soft, gentle and feminine feel.
Use pink and lavender for the larger petals, purple for smaller details, and leave a few sections white to create contrast.
Try this: Use your darkest purple only in the center or in a few small details. This will naturally draw attention to the center of your mandala.
2. Blue & White
Colours to use:
- Light blue
- Sky blue
- Blue
- Dark blue
- White
You really can’t go wrong with blue.
A blue palette is especially easy for beginners because different shades of the same colour naturally work together.
Start with light blue and gradually introduce darker blue as you move through the mandala.
Try this: Leave some small sections white instead of colouring everything. The white will make the blues stand out.
3. Peach, Orange & Yellow
Colours to use:
- Yellow
- Light orange
- Orange
- Peach
- Red
Want something bright and cheerful?
This warm combination is perfect.
Use yellow in the centre, peach and light orange for the middle sections, and stronger orange or red as small accents.
You don’t have to use every colour equally. Let one or two colours dominate while the others add small pops of colour.
4. Green & Yellow
Colours to use:
- Light green
- Green
- Dark green
- Yellow
- Brown
This palette takes inspiration from nature and works particularly well with floral and leaf-inspired mandalas.
Use yellow to brighten the design and green for the main petals and leaves. A little brown can be used for tiny details or as an accent.
Try this: Don’t feel like every leaf needs to be green. Adding a little yellow can make the design feel more playful.
5. Pink, Blue & Purple
Colours to use:
- Pink
- Blue
- Lavender
- Purple
- White
If you want something colourful without making the mandala look too busy, try this combination.
Pink adds warmth, while blue and purple create a cooler balance.
The secret is repetition.
Instead of choosing a new colour for every section, repeat the same colours around the mandala.
For example:
Pink → Blue → Purple → Pink → Blue → Purple
This simple pattern can make a detailed mandala look much more coordinated.
6. Earthy & Warm
Colours to use:
- Brown
- Beige
- Yellow
- Orange
- Green
If you love warm, natural colours, this palette is for you.
Brown and beige create a neutral base, while yellow and orange add warmth. A little green brings the palette to life.
This combination works beautifully for floral, nature-inspired and detailed mandalas.
Try this: Use beige or light brown in larger areas and save the stronger orange and green for smaller details.
7. Classic Rainbow
Colours to use:
- Red
- Orange
- Yellow
- Green
- Blue
- Purple
Sometimes you simply want to use all the colours!
A rainbow palette can look beautiful on a mandala because the circular design naturally lends itself to a gradual movement through different colours.
You don’t need multiple shades of every colour.
Just use the basic colours you already have.
Try this: Follow the same colour order around different sections instead of randomly placing colours everywhere.
A Simple Rule: Don’t Use Too Many Colours
When you’re starting out, it’s tempting to use every colour in your pencil box.
But you don’t have to.
Start with 3–5 colours and repeat them throughout your mandala. This keeps the design visually balanced and makes choosing colours much easier.
For example:
3 colours:
Pink + Purple + White
4 colours:
Blue + Light Blue + Dark Blue + White
5 colours:
Pink + Purple + Blue + Lavender + White
Once you become comfortable, you can experiment with larger palettes.
Let Your Mandala Guide You
You don’t need to decide every colour before you begin.
Look at the design first.
For floral mandalas
Try pink, purple, yellow, green and orange.
For geometric mandalas
Try blue, purple, white and one contrasting colour.
For nature-inspired designs
Try green, yellow, brown and orange.
For a soft and calming look
Try blue, lavender, pink and white.
And remember: there is no “correct” colour combination for a mandala.
The same mandala can look completely different when coloured with a different palette—and that’s part of the fun.
One Last Tip Before You Start
Before putting colour on your mandala, make a tiny colour swatch on a spare piece of paper.
Place your chosen colours next to each other.
Do they look good together?
If yes, you’re ready to begin.
If something feels off, simply replace one colour.
You don’t need to plan the entire mandala perfectly.
Choose a few colours. Take your time. And let the pattern guide you.
Ready to Colour?
Whether you’re colouring for creativity, a quiet break, or simply because you enjoy beautiful patterns, mandala colouring is a wonderful way to slow down and create something of your own.
Choose your palette, pick your mandala, and start with one small section.
Explore the Mandalas by Kanika collection for printable mandala colouring pages, practice sheets and mindful creative products.
