free to use web design color schemes

[boreal cryptid]

despite being an artist, and not having problems with colors in art, i absolutely can't choose normal color scheme for website.

if i don't have some kind of free template or randoma11y - i stuck forever. ESPECIALLY if i have to make light/dark theme versions with the same --var() lists in :root.

so... this topic is for color schemes. not just colors that look good together, but work for web design specifically. (gradients are okay too!)

some bonus features i'd like to point (optional):

• good contrast for accessibility?
• light/dark mode?
• :root --vars?
• details about what color you use for which element specifically (link, link hover, header text, etc)?

some free to use colors from templates i've found:

• colors from kalechips's templates (light/dark mode, --vars, good contrast)
• colors from ribozone templates (light/dark mode, --vars, idk about contrast but looks ok)
• colors from punkwasp's Aurora template (dark mode, idk about contrast but looks ok)

if you're okay with sharing your own palettes for others to use (with or without credits), then please do! :)

[boreal cryptid]

everforest theme!

it really is so easy on eyes... not sure about the contrast in the "soft" version, but i guess "hard" version is okay. this theme is supposed to be for UI of different programs, but i decided to try it for my website too...



here's the palette guide.

it needs some time to "export" the whole palette to the :root and adapt it for website format, but so far... goes okay. i will share my results later! 
i think the same could be said for others such UI themes.

gruvbox



P.S. any other artists who struggle with webdesign colors despite being ok with colors in drawing?... 

[kurohaato]

The OG Material design docs includes some colorful palettes! It also lists colors for dark and light backgrounds and recommended font opacities. Material 1 can feel a little sterile at times but it's a great place to start color-wise if you want something bright.

[Dan Q]

I've always liked Coolors.co. Just keep tapping space for random schemes, then "lock" colours that you like and continue. It uses a variety of established mathematical mechanisms for generating complementary colour sets.

In recent years it's become a bit "premium-focussed", but the core free product is still solid (and doesn't try to force AI down your throat like the pro version!).

[boreal cryptid]

The OG Material design docs includes some colorful palettes! It also lists colors for dark and light backgrounds and recommended font opacities.

omg thank you for the recommendation! i really like that it provides examples with design snippets. it's visual, and works for me.

I've always liked Coolors.co.
/font]

yeah, i've tried this one! locking colors a good feature... i guess my issues with it are: i'm not sure about proportions of colors, and if those combinations are accessible, plus there are no visuals for UI (like with website above).
(or is there?.. i just can't load this from my low internet speed rn... i should check it later from wi-fi...)
thank you both for recommendations! 

[ABlueRose]

I like to use lospec for color pallets. I've only used it for game-assets, never my website. Using a color pallet would probably be a really cool idea, and add a nice touch to it all. I might have to make a new page on my site specifically to mess with this lol

[virtualpet2001]

ooh this is helpful. i am an artist and love good color schemes but im very bad at creating good palettes generally. the current color scheme of my site is "Ok" but could definitely use work to make the individual colors contrast eachother better. so this is useful thank you!