How to Use Solid Color Palettes with ColorLab

Using halftones in your work is a fast and easy way to get an authentic retro feel to your art. Where you used to have to be a pro at using filters (which was often limited and lacked realism), ColorLab gives you the authenticity and control of real halftone printing like never before.

Still, it's great to be able to map out your pieces before committing to your final halftones. Maybe you'd like to experiment with different color profiles, or do quick color studies before putting the real work in. That's where solid color palettes come into play. Expertly tuned in to match the real color options on the ColorLab Color Chart, the solid color palettes are a great way to experiment, conceptualize, and have fun.

In this two part tutorial we will be using Procreate, but this demonstration will apply for any software where ColorLab is available.

Part one

Part two

Can't Watch the Video? Here's what you missed

1. Before you begin, you'll need to have your linework already completed. If you don't know how to add your premade art to a paper texture, or aren't sure how to draw using our paper textures, you can refer to the tutorial here.
2. Create a new layer underneath your line work layer. Set the layer's blend mode to Multiply.  
3. Access the solid color palettes through the color swatch menu and select the color you would like to use.
4. Begin painting using the color you have selected. You will keep every element that uses this color on the same layer.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 with each subsequent color until your piece is fully colored.
6. Turn off each layer's visibility by clicking on the eye button (Photoshop) or checkmark (Procreate).
7. Select the contents of the layer by right-clicking>select pixels (Photoshop) or tapping>select (Procreate). This selects all of the pixels that have been colored in on this layer.
8. Scroll to your Yellow halftone layer. If you are not using our included paper textures then you will need to make your own yellow layer by creating a new layer and setting the blend mode to multiply. Referring to the color's formula, match the yellow brush that you need, and paint on to the yellow layer using that brush and the yellow swatch.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 with the red and blue brushes as needed to complete the color formula for the layer you have selected.
10. Once that layer is fully colored, you can repeat steps 7 through 9 with a new layer, converting each solid color into color halftones.