When supplying colors to Chart options, you can use a number of formats. You can specify the color as a string in hexadecimal, RGB, or HSL notations. If a color is needed, but not specified, Chart.js will use the global default color. There are 3 color options, stored at `Chart.defaults`, to set:
You can also pass a [CanvasGradient](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/CanvasGradient) object. You will need to create this before passing to the chart, but using it you can achieve some interesting effects.
An alternative option is to pass a [CanvasPattern](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/CanvasPattern) or [CanvasGradient](https://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/Web/API/CanvasGradient) object instead of a string colour.
Using pattern fills for data graphics can help viewers with vision deficiencies (e.g. color-blindness or partial sight) to [more easily understand your data](http://betweentwobrackets.com/data-graphics-and-colour-vision/).
Using the [Patternomaly](https://github.com/ashiguruma/patternomaly) library you can generate patterns to fill datasets.