Painting with Pantone Colors

I’ll admit it: keeping up with the Pantone Color of the Year is still pretty new to me. My introduction to it happened a few years ago when I stumbled upon an African artist who mentioned incorporating Pantone colors into their work. At the time, the chosen colors were yellow and gray, and I was just beginning my journey with abstract painting and exploring color harmony. To be honest, I had no idea what I was doing back then.

Color has always had a strong influence on me, often finding its way into my paintings without much conscious effort. This year, I kept noticing a gorgeous peachy tone everywhere. I was captivated by its warmth and softness—it seemed to glow. I even got a new phone in that exact shade of peachy pink! Naturally, my curiosity led me to look up Pantone’s Color of the Year, and there it was: Peach Fuzz. No wonder I’d been seeing it everywhere!

Peach Fuzz, to me, is a soft, delicate orange-pink. It has a comforting warmth that pairs beautifully with blues, olive greens, soft sages, and even purples. Once I started incorporating it into my art, I fell in love with the inviting glow it brought to my pieces.

I won’t pretend it was easy at first. Working with such a delicate color presented a challenge. I had to experiment with different combinations to understand what colors Peach Fuzz wanted to "dance" with on the canvas. But the challenge was worth it. Over time, it became a staple in my work, and now I can’t imagine my recent pieces without it.

I’m genuinely excited to see what the next Pantone Color of the Year will be and how it will inspire my art. Until then, I’ll keep embracing Peach Fuzz and the warmth it brings to my work.

How to Mix Peach Fuzz:

To create your version of Peach Fuzz, try mixing Winsor & Newton Burnt Sienna with Quinacridone Magenta. Add white little by little until you achieve the soft orange-pink tone you’re after. Adjust as needed to make it uniquely yours!