The color design is a crucial aspect of image editing. With the color picker in Photoshop Elements, you can precisely select and analyze colors from your images. In this guide, you will learn how to effectively use the color picker to determine the color values of pixels in your artwork and optimize your designs.
Key Insights
- The color picker shows you the RGB and hexadecimal values of a selected color.
- You can deliberately select colors for text and graphical elements.
- With the color picker, you can ensure that the colors you choose are harmoniously integrated into your design.
Step-by-Step Guide
First, ensure that your artwork is open in Photoshop Elements. Once you have prepared your work, you can start using the color picker directly.

To select a color from your artwork, access the color picker. It is located in the toolbar. Click on the tool and move the cursor over the area of the image from which you want to sample a color.
After you click on an area with the color picker, you need to note a few things. The foreground and background colors will be updated, and the information about the selected color will be displayed to you. For example, if you notice a red color, you can click on it and immediately get the corresponding color value.
If you want to know more about the exact color you have selected, you can double-click on the foreground color. This will open a dialog box showing the exact RGB values. You can use these values for websites or other applications.
Suppose you want to ensure that an area in your design is truly pure white or black. Click on the relevant area to get the RGB values. Perfect white should be 255 in all three RGB components, while pure black should include 0 for all.

With these color values, you can check the brightness and the exact color and make adjustments if necessary. This gives you a clear idea of the quality of your color choice.

If you want to add text to your image, you can already choose a suitable red with the color picker that harmonizes with your artwork. Click again on the desired color and draw a text box with the text tool.
The text will automatically be displayed in the color of the color picker, so you can immediately see how well the color matches your artwork.

Adjustments can be made at any time. Thanks to the color picker, you can vary the visibility and intensity of the color through the dialog box to find the perfect shade for your project.

If you create objects like lines or other graphical elements, the color picker helps you design them in the same color already used in the artwork. Just click on the desired color area in the image.

The flexibility of editing various elements with the color picker and ensuring the harmonization of colors in your design will significantly improve your workflow.

Summary – Building Skills in Using the Color Picker in Photoshop Elements
By purposefully using the color picker in Photoshop Elements, you can not only select colors but also analyze their values and visibly improve your design. Use these tools to fully unleash your creativity and further develop your artworks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use the color picker in Photoshop Elements?Click on the color picker tool and select the desired color from your artwork.
What are RGB color values?RGB color values describe the intensity of red, green, and blue in a color on a scale from 0 to 255.
Can I adjust colors in my artwork?Yes, you can make changes to the colors of your text or graphical elements at any time with the color picker.
How do I find out if a color is really white or black?Check the RGB values: Pure white has a value of 255, and pure black should have 0 for all components.