diff --git a/mode/python.py b/mode/python.py
index cf886c9..7f14889 100644
--- a/mode/python.py
+++ b/mode/python.py
@@ -550,6 +550,37 @@ class PythonContext(context.Context):
                 for k in range(last, y2):
                     self.namelines[k] = (curr, None)
 
+# white is for delimiters, operators, numbers
+default = ('default', 'default')
+
+# magenta is for reserved words
+lo_magenta = ('magenta202', 'default')
+hi_magenta = ('magenta505', 'default')
+
+# red is for comments
+lo_red = ('red300', 'default')
+hi_red = ('red511', 'default')
+
+# orange is unused
+hi_orange = ('yellow531', 'default')
+lo_orange = ('yellow520', 'default')
+
+# yellow is for class names
+hi_yellow = ('yellow551', 'default')
+lo_yellow = ('yellow330', 'default')
+
+# green is for strings
+lo_green = ('green030', 'default')
+hi_green = ('green050', 'default')
+
+# cyan is for keywords and some operators
+lo_cyan = ('cyan033', 'default')
+hi_cyan = ('cyan155', 'default')
+
+# blue is for functions and methods
+lo_blue = ('blue113', 'default')
+hi_blue = ('blue225', 'default')
+
 class Python(mode.Fundamental):
     description = '''
     This programming mode is designed to edit Python source files. It
@@ -561,7 +592,6 @@ class Python(mode.Fundamental):
 '''
     name        = 'Python'
     extensions  = ['.py']
-    #detection   = ['python']
     detection   = [re.compile('^#!(?:.+[/ ])python')]
     tabbercls   = PythonTabber
     grammar     = PythonGrammar
@@ -571,27 +601,27 @@ class Python(mode.Fundamental):
     closetags   = {')': '(', ']': '[', '}': '{'}
     commentc    = '#'
     colors      = {
-        'python.def':                ('blue', 'default', 'bold'),
-        'python.class':              ('yellow', 'default', 'bold'),
-        'python.decorator':          ('magenta', 'default'),
-        'python.reserved':           ('magenta', 'default', 'bold'),
-        'python.keyword':            ('cyan', 'default', 'bold'),
-        'python.builtin':            ('cyan', 'default', 'bold'),
-        'python.method':             ('default', 'default'),
-        'python.function':           ('default', 'default'),
-        'python.system_identifier':  ('cyan', 'default', 'bold'),
-        'python.private_identifier': ('default', 'default'),
-        'python.hidden_identifier':  ('default', 'default'),
-        'python.identifier':         ('default', 'default'),
-        'python.integer':            ('default', 'default'),
-        'python.float':              ('default', 'default'),
-        'python.imaginary':          ('default', 'default'),
-        'python.operator':           ('default', 'default'),
-        'rawstring.start':           ('green', 'default', 'bold'),
-        'rawstring.data':            ('green', 'default', 'bold'),
-        'rawstring.null':            ('green', 'default', 'bold'),
-        'rawstring.escaped':         ('magenta', 'default', 'bold'),
-        'rawstring.end':             ('green', 'default', 'bold'),
+        'python.def':                hi_blue,
+        'python.class':              hi_yellow,
+        'python.decorator':          lo_magenta,
+        'python.reserved':           hi_magenta,
+        'python.keyword':            hi_cyan,
+        'python.builtin':            hi_cyan,
+        'python.method':             default,
+        'python.function':           default,
+        'python.system_identifier':  hi_cyan,
+        'python.private_identifier': default,
+        'python.hidden_identifier':  default,
+        'python.identifier':         default,
+        'python.integer':            default,
+        'python.float':              default,
+        'python.imaginary':          default,
+        'python.operator':           default,
+        'rawstring.start':           lo_green,
+        'rawstring.end':             lo_green,
+        'rawstring.data':            hi_green,
+        'rawstring.null':            hi_green,
+        'rawstring.escaped':         hi_magenta,
     }
     config = {
         'python.lib': '.',