How to Paint Neon Colors Into a Dark Palette

Neon lights enliven and draw the eye in, which is why they’re often used to highlight a product, an important message, or a special event. They’re also a great option for illuminating an interior space or creating a dramatic backdrop.

Neon was first used as a color in 1910, when Georges Claude electrified a glass tube filled with neon gas and discovered it gave off an intense red-orange glow. Neon is a noble gas, meaning it’s inert and does not react with other elements in normal conditions. However, it can form unstable compounds or weak bonds called clathrates and Van der Waals molecules under specific circumstances.

This palette is a fantastic choice for re-creating fluorescent signs and lighting up nighttime images of cityscapes. It features shades that are bright enough to pop against a dark background, but not so bright they’re overwhelming. The softer shades of this palette, such as Shocking Pink and Lime Green, give the palette an earthy feel, while hints of Medium Blue and Hot Magenta balance out the brightness.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try mixing in a few other bright colors from this palette, like Web Dark Orange and Spring Bud. This will help to create a more vibrant palette that’s still balanced and easy on the eyes. Just be sure to use a darker neutral, such as Light Grey or Graphite Black, so that the colors don’t clash. This will also help to create a realistic blacklight effect.