"How am I supposed to color white?"
This is probably a question every coloring artist or illustrator has struggled with at some point.
White things are difficult, you're not sure how far to color, you don't know what colors to use —
I think a lot of people share this worry.
But actually, just by understanding how to think about white, coloring it becomes much easier.
This time, we'll share the basic mindset for coloring white things.
"White = Nothing" Is a Misconception
When we hear "white," we tend to feel like "there's no color there" or "it's better not to color it."
Because of that, people worry about things like:
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How far should I color it?
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If I add color, won't it stop being white?
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What color should I even use?
And end up stuck.
But white is never "a color with nothing in it."
Just like any other color, it has light and shadow.
Even white has stages, such as:
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Bright white
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Dark white
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Everything in between
These stages exist within white itself.
Take a Close Look at White Clothing
For example, look at an illustration of a person wearing white clothes.
Overall it reads as white, but is there really no color in it at all?
Looking closely, the shadowed areas often appear as a slightly bluish gray.
This isn't "white with no color" — it's white that holds color.
No matter what kind of white it is, there's always a difference between light and dark.
First, just remember that "white also has stages."
Look at "Difference," Not Color
Next, let's imagine a round shape.
A circle placed on a certain background might look light gray.
But change the background, and the very same colored circle can look white.
The color of the circle hasn't changed, but simply changing the background color changes the impression.
This is because our eyes judge color not by "the color itself," but by its **difference from its surroundings**.
White Is Easier to Color When There's Color Around It
For example, when you look at a yellowish flower, even if the shadowed areas contain quite a bit of color,
the surrounding color lets you naturally read it as "a white flower with a hint of yellow."
Adding color to the background or surroundings creates contrast,
and this widens the range that still reads as white (white's tolerance range).
That's why, when coloring a white subject in a coloring page,
it's a good idea to color the surrounding area first, then color the white.
Having the background colored first makes it easier — and gives you more confidence — to add color to the white.
What actually makes white read as white is, in fact, the background.
What About When the Background Is Also White?
So what happens if the background is also white?
Is it impossible to layer white on white?
For example, imagine an egg placed on a white background.
Even though the surroundings are white, it still reads clearly as a white egg, right?
That's because light and shadow create a sense of dimension.
People recognize objects through the presence of light and dark.
There is a caveat, though.
If you add color too heavily, it will no longer read as white, but as gray.
When the background is white,
white's tolerance range narrows, so:
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Keep bright areas especially light
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Don't make the shadows too dark either
Getting this balance right is essential.
White Is Determined by "Its Relationship With Its Surroundings"
In pieces with plenty of color around them, clothing or ribbons can use quite a lot of gray and still read as white.
That's because there's nothing even brighter placed nearby.
On the other hand, if you look at it in the raw line-art state, or against a white background,
the exact same color can look quite gray.
White is a color whose appearance changes based on its relationship with surrounding colors.
That's exactly why it's important to adjust the depth of color to match the surroundings.
Points for Coloring White on a White Background
To sum up, here are the key points for coloring white things on a white background:
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Create light and shadow to add dimension
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Don't put too much color on the bright areas
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Don't make the shadows too dark either
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Be careful not to overwork it into gray
The key to keeping something white isn't "coloring too little" — it's "not coloring too much."
White Isn't Only Gray
Gray is a very handy color for coloring white.
But colors other than gray can also read as white.
White is a color that reflects the colors and light around it, like a mirror.
Depending on its surroundings, white can look like a different color.
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If the background is blue, white takes on a cool, bluish tint
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If the background is warm-toned, white leans toward a soft cream
Shadowed areas in particular are strongly influenced by the background color.
Remember, shadow isn't "black" — it's a place where the surrounding colors seep in.
How to Think About Coloring White: Summary
Finally, let's recap the mindset for coloring white.
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If the background is dark
→ Even with some color added, it reads as white as long as it's brighter than its surroundings -
If the background is light
→ Don't overcolor; keep the difference from the background in mind -
If the background is a cool tone
→ Lean the white toward cool tones too -
If the background is a warm tone
→ Lean the white toward warm tones too
And here are the 3 most important points:
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Don't think of white in isolation
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White is influenced by the colors around it
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The background and surroundings are what define "white"
Let's Move Past "White = Don't Color It"
From today on, instead of thinking "white = don't color it,"
try out a variety of coloring approaches.
Observing white objects around you is also great practice.
We hope you'll enjoy experimenting with expressing white.
Thank you for reading to the end.