diff --git a/docs/source/configuration.rst b/docs/source/configuration.rst
index bbefffec..98111267 100644
--- a/docs/source/configuration.rst
+++ b/docs/source/configuration.rst
@@ -155,15 +155,12 @@ Common configuration is a subdictionary that is a value of ``ext`` key in
     Defines themes used when certain conditions are met, e.g. for 
     buffer-specific statuslines in vim. Requires a custom matcher and theme.
 
-Colorschemes
-============
+Color definitions
+=================
 
-:Location: :file:`powerline/colorschemes/{extension}/{name}.json`
+:Location: :file:`powerline/colors.json`
 
-``name``
-    Name of the colorscheme.
-
-.. _config-colorscheme-colors:
+.. _config-colors-colors:
 
 ``colors``
     Color definitions, consisting of a dict where the key is the name of the 
@@ -174,6 +171,22 @@ Colorschemes
       "aabbcc"]``). This is useful for colorschemes that use colors that 
       aren't available in color terminals.
 
+``gradients``
+    Gradient definitions, consisting of a dict where the key is the name of the 
+    gradient, and the value is a list containing one or two items, second item 
+    is optional:
+
+    * A list of cterm color indicies.
+    * A list of hex color strings.
+
+Colorschemes
+============
+
+:Location: :file:`powerline/colorschemes/{extension}/{name}.json`
+
+``name``
+    Name of the colorscheme.
+
 .. _config-colorscheme-groups:
 
 ``groups``
@@ -184,11 +197,11 @@ Colorschemes
 
     ``fg``
         Foreground color. Must be defined in :ref:`colors 
-        <config-colorscheme-colors>`.
+        <config-colors-colors>`.
 
     ``bg``
         Background color. Must be defined in :ref:`colors 
-        <config-colorscheme-colors>`.
+        <config-colors-colors>`.
 
     ``attr``
         Optional list of attributes. Valid values are one or more of 
@@ -203,8 +216,8 @@ Colorschemes
 
     ``colors``
         A dict where the key is the color to be translated in this mode, and 
-        the value is the new color. Both the key and the value must be 
-        defined in :ref:`colors <config-colorscheme-colors>`.
+        the value is the new color. Both the key and the value must be defined 
+        in :ref:`colors <config-colors-colors>`.
 
     ``groups``
         Segment highlighting groups for this mode. Same syntax as the main 
diff --git a/powerline/__init__.py b/powerline/__init__.py
index 5275a53c..5296cde9 100644
--- a/powerline/__init__.py
+++ b/powerline/__init__.py
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ class Powerline(object):
 
 		# Load and initialize colorscheme
 		colorscheme_config = self.load_colorscheme_config(ext_config['colorscheme'])
-		colorscheme = Colorscheme(colorscheme_config)
+		colors_config = self.load_colors_config()
+		colorscheme = Colorscheme(colorscheme_config, colors_config)
 
 		# Load and initialize extension theme
 		theme_config = self.load_theme_config(ext_config.get('theme', 'default'))
@@ -39,7 +40,6 @@ class Powerline(object):
 		self.import_paths = common_config['paths']
 		theme_kwargs = {
 			'ext': ext,
-			'colorscheme': colorscheme,
 			'common_config': common_config,
 			'segment_info': self.get_segment_info(),
 			}
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ class Powerline(object):
 			sys.stderr.write('Error while importing renderer module: {0}\n'.format(e))
 			sys.exit(1)
 		options = {'term_truecolor': common_config.get('term_24bit_colors', False)}
-		self.renderer = Renderer(theme_config, local_themes, theme_kwargs, **options)
+		self.renderer = Renderer(theme_config, local_themes, theme_kwargs, colorscheme, **options)
 
 	def get_config_paths(self):
 		config_home = os.environ.get('XDG_CONFIG_HOME', os.path.join(os.path.expanduser('~'), '.config'))
@@ -72,6 +72,9 @@ class Powerline(object):
 	def load_colorscheme_config(self, name):
 		return load_json_config(self.config_paths, os.path.join('colorschemes', self.ext, name))
 
+	def load_colors_config(self):
+		return load_json_config(self.config_paths, 'colors')
+
 	@staticmethod
 	def get_local_themes(local_themes):
 		return {}
diff --git a/powerline/colorscheme.py b/powerline/colorscheme.py
index 335cc3b9..7fd85422 100644
--- a/powerline/colorscheme.py
+++ b/powerline/colorscheme.py
@@ -1,95 +1,108 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 
+from copy import copy
+
+
 DEFAULT_MODE_KEY = None
 ATTR_BOLD = 1
 ATTR_ITALIC = 2
 ATTR_UNDERLINE = 4
 
 
+def get_attr_flag(attributes):
+	'''Convert an attribute array to a renderer flag.'''
+	attr_flag = 0
+	if 'bold' in attributes:
+		attr_flag |= ATTR_BOLD
+	if 'italic' in attributes:
+		attr_flag |= ATTR_ITALIC
+	if 'underline' in attributes:
+		attr_flag |= ATTR_UNDERLINE
+	return attr_flag
+
+
+def pick_gradient_value(grad_list, gradient_level):
+	'''Given a list of colors and gradient percent, return a color that should be used.
+
+	Note: gradient level is not checked for being inside [0, 100] interval.
+	'''
+	return grad_list[int(round(gradient_level * (len(grad_list) - 1) / 100))]
+
+
 class Colorscheme(object):
-	def __init__(self, colorscheme_config):
+	def __init__(self, colorscheme_config, colors_config):
 		'''Initialize a colorscheme.'''
 		self.colors = {}
-		self.modes_groups = {DEFAULT_MODE_KEY: {}}
+		self.gradients = {}
+
+		self.groups = colorscheme_config['groups']
+		self.translations = colorscheme_config.get('mode_translations', {})
 
 		# Create a dict of color tuples with both a cterm and hex value
-		for color_name, color in colorscheme_config['colors'].items():
+		for color_name, color in colors_config['colors'].items():
 			try:
 				self.colors[color_name] = (color[0], int(color[1], 16))
 			except TypeError:
 				self.colors[color_name] = (color, cterm_to_hex[color])
 
-		# Create highlighting groups for all modes
-		for group_name, group_props in colorscheme_config['groups'].items():
-			group_attr_flag = self._get_attr_flag(group_props.get('attr', []))
-			self.modes_groups[DEFAULT_MODE_KEY][group_name] = {
-				'fg': self.colors[group_props['fg']],
-				'bg': self.colors[group_props['bg']],
-				'attr': group_attr_flag,
-				}
+		# Create a dict of gradient names with two lists: for cterm and hex 
+		# values. Two lists in place of one list of pairs were chosen because 
+		# true colors allow more precise gradients.
+		for gradient_name, gradient in colors_config['gradients'].items():
+			if len(gradient) == 2:
+				self.gradients[gradient_name] = (
+					(gradient[0], [int(color, 16) for color in gradient[1]]))
+			else:
+				self.gradients[gradient_name] = (
+					(gradient[0], [cterm_to_hex[color] for color in gradient[0]]))
 
-			# Create mode-specific highlighting for this group
-			for mode, translations in colorscheme_config.get('mode_translations', {}).items():
-				if not mode in self.modes_groups:
-					self.modes_groups[mode] = {}
-				if group_name in translations.get('groups', {}):
-					# Override entire group if present in the translations group dict
-					self.modes_groups[mode][group_name] = {
-						'fg': self.colors[translations['groups'][group_name]['fg']],
-						'bg': self.colors[translations['groups'][group_name]['bg']],
-						'attr': self._get_attr_flag(translations['groups'][group_name].get('attr', [])),
-						}
-				else:
-					# Fallback to color translations from the translations colors dict
-					self.modes_groups[mode][group_name] = {
-						'fg': self.colors[translations.get('colors', {}).get(group_props['fg'], group_props['fg'])],
-						'bg': self.colors[translations.get('colors', {}).get(group_props['bg'], group_props['bg'])],
-						'attr': group_attr_flag,
-						}
+	def get_gradient(self, gradient, gradient_level):
+		if gradient in self.gradients:
+			return tuple((pick_gradient_value(grad_list, gradient_level) for grad_list in self.gradients[gradient]))
+		else:
+			return self.colors[gradient]
 
-	def get_group_highlighting(self, group):
-		'''Return highlighting information for all modes of a highlighting group.'''
-		group_highlighting = {}
-		for mode, mode_group in self.modes_groups.items():
-			try:
-				group_highlighting[mode] = mode_group[group]
-			except TypeError:
-				for try_group in group:
-					if try_group in self.modes_groups[mode]:
-						group_highlighting[mode] = mode_group[try_group]
-						break
-			finally:
-				if mode not in group_highlighting:
-					raise KeyError('Highlighting groups not found in colorscheme: {0}'.format(group))
-		return group_highlighting
+	def get_highlighting(self, groups, mode, gradient_level=None):
+		trans = self.translations.get(mode, {})
+		for group in groups:
+			if 'groups' in trans and group in trans['groups']:
+				try:
+					group_props = trans['groups'][group]
+				except KeyError:
+					continue
+				break
 
-	def get_highlighting(self, group, mode=None):
-		'''Return highlighting information for a highlighting group and mode.
+			else:
+				try:
+					group_props = copy(self.groups[group])
+				except KeyError:
+					continue
 
-		If no mode is specified, or the mode doesn't exist, highlighting for
-		the default mode is returned.
-		'''
-		if not mode or mode not in self.modes_groups:
-			mode = DEFAULT_MODE_KEY
-		try:
-			return self.modes_groups[mode][group]
-		except TypeError:
-			for try_group in group:
-				if try_group in self.modes_groups[mode]:
-					return self.modes_groups[mode][try_group]
-			raise KeyError('Highlighting groups not found in colorscheme: {0}'.format(group))
-		return self.modes_groups[mode][group]
+				try:
+					ctrans = trans['colors']
+					for key in ('fg', 'bg'):
+						try:
+							group_props[key] = ctrans[group_props[key]]
+						except KeyError:
+							pass
+				except KeyError:
+					pass
+
+				break
+		else:
+			raise KeyError('Highlighting groups not found in colorscheme: ' + ', '.join(groups))
+
+		if gradient_level is None:
+			pick_color = self.colors.__getitem__
+		else:
+			pick_color = lambda gradient : self.get_gradient(gradient, gradient_level)
+
+		return {
+			'fg': pick_color(group_props['fg']),
+			'bg': pick_color(group_props['bg']),
+			'attr': get_attr_flag(group_props.get('attr', [])),
+			}
 
-	def _get_attr_flag(self, attributes):
-		'''Convert an attribute array to a renderer flag.'''
-		attr_flag = 0
-		if 'bold' in attributes:
-			attr_flag |= ATTR_BOLD
-		if 'italic' in attributes:
-			attr_flag |= ATTR_ITALIC
-		if 'underline' in attributes:
-			attr_flag |= ATTR_UNDERLINE
-		return attr_flag
 
 cterm_to_hex = {
 	16: 0x000000, 17: 0x00005f, 18: 0x000087, 19: 0x0000af, 20: 0x0000d7, 21: 0x0000ff,
diff --git a/powerline/config_files/colors.json b/powerline/config_files/colors.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e4636a93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/powerline/config_files/colors.json
@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+{
+	"colors": {
+		"black": 16,
+		"white": 231,
+
+		"green": [2, "719e07"],
+		"darkestgreen": 22,
+		"darkgreen": 28,
+		"mediumgreen": 70,
+		"brightgreen": 148,
+
+		"cyan": [6, "2aa198"],
+		"darkestcyan": 23,
+		"darkcyan": 74,
+		"mediumcyan": 117,
+		"brightcyan": 159,
+
+		"blue": [4, "268bd2"],
+		"darkestblue": 24,
+		"darkblue": 31,
+
+		"red": [1, "dc322f"],
+		"darkestred": 52,
+		"darkred": 88,
+		"mediumred": 124,
+		"brightred": 160,
+		"brightestred": 196,
+
+		"magenta": [5, "d33682"],
+
+		"darkestpurple": 55,
+		"mediumpurple": 98,
+		"brightpurple": 189,
+
+		"violet": [13, "6c71c4"],
+
+		"orange": [9, "cb4b16"],
+		"darkorange": 94,
+		"mediumorange": 166,
+		"brightorange": 208,
+		"brightestorange": 214,
+
+		"yellow": [3, "b58900"],
+		"brightyellow": 220,
+
+		"gray0": 233,
+		"gray1": 235,
+		"gray2": 236,
+		"gray3": 239,
+		"gray4": 240,
+		"gray5": 241,
+		"gray6": 244,
+		"gray7": 245,
+		"gray8": 247,
+		"gray9": 250,
+		"gray10": 252,
+
+		"base03": [8, "002b36"],
+		"base02": [0, "073642"],
+		"base01": [10, "586e75"],
+		"base00": [11, "657b83"],
+		"base0": [12, "839496"],
+		"base1": [14, "93a1a1"],
+		"base2": [7, "eee8d5"],
+		"base3": [15, "fdf6e3"],
+
+		"system_load_good": 106,
+		"system_load_bad": 178,
+		"system_load_ugly": 202,
+
+		"weather_temp_cold": 67,
+		"weather_temp_hot": 166,
+		"weather_condition_cold": 117,
+		"weather_condition_hot": 228
+	},
+	"gradients": {
+		"green_yellow_red": [
+			[190, 184, 178, 172, 166, 160],
+			["8ae71c", "c2e821", "e9d926", "eaa72b", "eb7830", "ec4b35"]
+		]
+	}
+}
diff --git a/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/ipython/default.json b/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/ipython/default.json
index 3a9f7355..b45bed45 100644
--- a/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/ipython/default.json
+++ b/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/ipython/default.json
@@ -1,23 +1,5 @@
 {
 	"name": "Default color scheme for IPython prompt",
-	"colors": {
-		"black": 16,
-		"white": 231,
-
-		"darkcyan": 74,
-
-		"gray0": 233,
-		"gray1": 235,
-		"gray2": 236,
-		"gray3": 239,
-		"gray4": 240,
-		"gray5": 241,
-		"gray6": 244,
-		"gray7": 245,
-		"gray8": 247,
-		"gray9": 250,
-		"gray10": 252
-	},
 	"groups": {
 		"virtualenv": { "fg": "white", "bg": "darkcyan" },
 		"prompt": { "fg": "gray9", "bg": "gray4" }
diff --git a/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/shell/default.json b/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/shell/default.json
index 57cff291..0320d807 100644
--- a/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/shell/default.json
+++ b/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/shell/default.json
@@ -1,58 +1,5 @@
 {
 	"name": "Default color scheme for shell prompts",
-	"colors": {
-		"black": 16,
-		"white": 231,
-
-		"darkestgreen": 22,
-		"darkgreen": 28,
-		"mediumgreen": 70,
-		"brightgreen": 148,
-
-		"darkestcyan": 23,
-		"darkcyan": 74,
-		"mediumcyan": 117,
-		"brightcyan": 159,
-
-		"darkestblue": 24,
-		"darkblue": 31,
-
-		"darkestred": 52,
-		"darkred": 88,
-		"mediumred": 124,
-		"brightred": 160,
-		"brightestred": 196,
-
-		"darkestpurple": 55,
-		"mediumpurple": 98,
-		"brightpurple": 189,
-
-		"darkorange": 94,
-		"mediumorange": 166,
-		"brightorange": 208,
-		"brightestorange": 214,
-
-		"brightyellow": 220,
-
-		"gray0": 233,
-		"gray1": 235,
-		"gray2": 236,
-		"gray3": 239,
-		"gray4": 240,
-		"gray5": 241,
-		"gray6": 244,
-		"gray7": 245,
-		"gray8": 247,
-		"gray9": 250,
-		"gray10": 252,
-
-		"gradient1": 190,
-		"gradient2": 184,
-		"gradient3": 178,
-		"gradient4": 172,
-		"gradient5": 166,
-		"gradient6": 160
-	},
 	"groups": {
 		"user": { "fg": "white", "bg": "darkblue", "attr": ["bold"] },
 		"superuser": { "fg": "white", "bg": "brightred", "attr": ["bold"] },
diff --git a/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/shell/solarized.json b/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/shell/solarized.json
index b850b34f..fe3216cd 100644
--- a/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/shell/solarized.json
+++ b/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/shell/solarized.json
@@ -1,23 +1,5 @@
 {
 	"name": "Solarized Dark",
-	"colors": {
-		"base03": [8, "002b36"],
-		"base02": [0, "073642"],
-		"base01": [10, "586e75"],
-		"base00": [11, "657b83"],
-		"base0": [12, "839496"],
-		"base1": [14, "93a1a1"],
-		"base2": [7, "eee8d5"],
-		"base3": [15, "fdf6e3"],
-		"yellow": [3, "b58900"],
-		"orange": [9, "cb4b16"],
-		"red": [1, "dc322f"],
-		"magenta": [5, "d33682"],
-		"violet": [13, "6c71c4"],
-		"blue": [4, "268bd2"],
-		"cyan": [6, "2aa198"],
-		"green": [2, "719e07"]
-	},
 	"groups": {
 		"user":               { "fg": "base3", "bg": "blue", "attr": ["bold"] },
 		"superuser":          { "fg": "base3", "bg": "red", "attr": ["bold"] },
diff --git a/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/tmux/default.json b/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/tmux/default.json
index d701c78a..37146011 100644
--- a/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/tmux/default.json
+++ b/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/tmux/default.json
@@ -1,38 +1,5 @@
 {
 	"name": "Default color scheme for terminal prompts",
-	"colors": {
-		"black": 16,
-		"white": 231,
-
-		"brightred": 160,
-
-		"darkestblue": 24,
-		"darkblue": 31,
-		"mediumblue": 38,
-		"brightblue": 117,
-		"brightestblue": 153,
-
-		"gray0": 234,
-		"gray1": 235,
-		"gray2": 236,
-		"gray3": 239,
-		"gray4": 240,
-		"gray5": 241,
-		"gray6": 244,
-		"gray7": 245,
-		"gray8": 247,
-		"gray9": 250,
-		"gray10": 254,
-
-		"system_load_good": 106,
-		"system_load_bad": 178,
-		"system_load_ugly": 202,
-
-		"weather_temp_cold": 67,
-		"weather_temp_hot": 166,
-		"weather_condition_cold": 117,
-		"weather_condition_hot": 228
-	},
 	"groups": {
 		"background:divider": { "fg": "gray5", "bg": "gray0" },
 		"session": { "fg": "black", "bg": "gray10", "attr": ["bold"] },
diff --git a/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/vim/default.json b/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/vim/default.json
index 5e602bcb..42b69d6a 100644
--- a/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/vim/default.json
+++ b/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/vim/default.json
@@ -1,58 +1,5 @@
 {
 	"name": "Default color scheme",
-	"colors": {
-		"black": 16,
-		"white": 231,
-
-		"darkestgreen": 22,
-		"darkgreen": 28,
-		"mediumgreen": 70,
-		"brightgreen": 148,
-
-		"darkestcyan": 23,
-		"darkcyan": 74,
-		"mediumcyan": 117,
-		"brightcyan": 159,
-
-		"darkestblue": 24,
-		"darkblue": 31,
-
-		"darkestred": 52,
-		"darkred": 88,
-		"mediumred": 124,
-		"brightred": 160,
-		"brightestred": 196,
-
-		"darkestpurple": 55,
-		"mediumpurple": 98,
-		"brightpurple": 189,
-
-		"darkorange": 94,
-		"mediumorange": 166,
-		"brightorange": 208,
-		"brightestorange": 214,
-
-		"brightyellow": 220,
-
-		"gray0": 233,
-		"gray1": 235,
-		"gray2": 236,
-		"gray3": 239,
-		"gray4": 240,
-		"gray5": 241,
-		"gray6": 244,
-		"gray7": 245,
-		"gray8": 247,
-		"gray9": 250,
-		"gray10": 252,
-
-		"gradient1": [190, "8ae71c"],
-		"gradient2": [184, "c2e821"],
-		"gradient3": [178, "e9d926"],
-		"gradient4": [172, "eaa72b"],
-		"gradient5": [166, "eb7830"],
-		"gradient6": [160, "ec4b35"]
-	},
 	"groups": {
 		"background": { "fg": "white", "bg": "gray2" },
 		"background:divider": { "fg": "gray6", "bg": "gray2" },
@@ -74,12 +21,7 @@
 		"file_vcs_status_M": { "fg": "brightyellow", "bg": "gray4" },
 		"file_vcs_status_A": { "fg": "brightgreen", "bg": "gray4" },
 		"line_percent": { "fg": "gray9", "bg": "gray4" },
-		"line_percent_gradient1": { "fg": "gradient1", "bg": "gray4" },
-		"line_percent_gradient2": { "fg": "gradient2", "bg": "gray4" },
-		"line_percent_gradient3": { "fg": "gradient3", "bg": "gray4" },
-		"line_percent_gradient4": { "fg": "gradient4", "bg": "gray4" },
-		"line_percent_gradient5": { "fg": "gradient5", "bg": "gray4" },
-		"line_percent_gradient6": { "fg": "gradient6", "bg": "gray4" },
+		"line_percent_gradient": { "fg": "green_yellow_red", "bg": "gray4" },
 		"line_current": { "fg": "gray1", "bg": "gray10", "attr": ["bold"] },
 		"line_current_symbol": { "fg": "gray1", "bg": "gray10" },
 		"col_current": { "fg": "gray6", "bg": "gray10" },
@@ -102,12 +44,7 @@
 				"gray9": "gray4",
 				"gray10": "gray5",
 				"white": "gray6",
-				"gradient1": "gray5",
-				"gradient2": "gray5",
-				"gradient3": "gray5",
-				"gradient4": "gray5",
-				"gradient5": "gray5",
-				"gradient6": "gray5"
+				"green_yellow_red": "gray5"
 			}
 		},
 		"i": {
@@ -123,12 +60,7 @@
 				"gray8": "mediumcyan",
 				"gray9": "mediumcyan",
 				"gray10": "mediumcyan",
-				"gradient1": "mediumcyan",
-				"gradient2": "mediumcyan",
-				"gradient3": "mediumcyan",
-				"gradient4": "mediumcyan",
-				"gradient5": "mediumcyan",
-				"gradient6": "mediumcyan"
+				"green_yellow_red": "gray5"
 			},
 			"groups": {
 				"mode": { "fg": "darkestcyan", "bg": "white", "attr": ["bold"] },
diff --git a/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/vim/solarized.json b/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/vim/solarized.json
index 2cad7df0..825a4272 100644
--- a/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/vim/solarized.json
+++ b/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/vim/solarized.json
@@ -1,23 +1,5 @@
 {
 	"name": "Solarized Dark",
-	"colors": {
-		"base03": [8, "002b36"],
-		"base02": [0, "073642"],
-		"base01": [10, "586e75"],
-		"base00": [11, "657b83"],
-		"base0": [12, "839496"],
-		"base1": [14, "93a1a1"],
-		"base2": [7, "eee8d5"],
-		"base3": [15, "fdf6e3"],
-		"yellow": [3, "b58900"],
-		"orange": [9, "cb4b16"],
-		"red": [1, "dc322f"],
-		"magenta": [5, "d33682"],
-		"violet": [13, "6c71c4"],
-		"blue": [4, "268bd2"],
-		"cyan": [6, "2aa198"],
-		"green": [2, "719e07"]
-	},
 	"groups": {
 		"background":             { "fg": "base3", "bg": "base02" },
 		"background:divider":     { "fg": "base00", "bg": "base02" },
diff --git a/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/wm/default.json b/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/wm/default.json
index 412e5d5b..210b4e4b 100644
--- a/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/wm/default.json
+++ b/powerline/config_files/colorschemes/wm/default.json
@@ -1,38 +1,5 @@
 {
 	"name": "Default color scheme for window managers",
-	"colors": {
-		"black": 16,
-		"white": 231,
-
-		"brightred": 160,
-
-		"darkestblue": 24,
-		"darkblue": 31,
-		"mediumblue": 38,
-		"brightblue": 117,
-		"brightestblue": 153,
-
-		"gray0": 234,
-		"gray1": 235,
-		"gray2": 236,
-		"gray3": 239,
-		"gray4": 240,
-		"gray5": 241,
-		"gray6": 244,
-		"gray7": 245,
-		"gray8": 247,
-		"gray9": 250,
-		"gray10": 254,
-
-		"system_load_good": 106,
-		"system_load_bad": 178,
-		"system_load_ugly": 202,
-
-		"weather_temp_cold": 67,
-		"weather_temp_hot": 166,
-		"weather_condition_cold": 117,
-		"weather_condition_hot": 228
-	},
 	"groups": {
 		"background:divider": { "fg": "gray5", "bg": "gray0" },
 		"session": { "fg": "black", "bg": "gray10", "attr": ["bold"] },
diff --git a/powerline/config_files/config.json b/powerline/config_files/config.json
index e2ae7c13..4c8ad85f 100644
--- a/powerline/config_files/config.json
+++ b/powerline/config_files/config.json
@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@
 				"soft": " "
 			}
 		},
-		"spaces": 1
+		"spaces": 1,
+		"colors": "default"
 	},
 	"ext": {
 		"ipython": {
diff --git a/powerline/renderer.py b/powerline/renderer.py
index 684b702e..9fdb7015 100644
--- a/powerline/renderer.py
+++ b/powerline/renderer.py
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 
-from powerline.colorscheme import DEFAULT_MODE_KEY
 from powerline.theme import Theme
 
 
 class Renderer(object):
-	def __init__(self, theme_config, local_themes, theme_kwargs, **options):
+	def __init__(self, theme_config, local_themes, theme_kwargs, colorscheme, **options):
 		self.__dict__.update(options)
 		self.theme_config = theme_config
 		self.theme = Theme(theme_config=theme_config, **theme_kwargs)
 		self.local_themes = local_themes
 		self.theme_kwargs = theme_kwargs
+		self.colorscheme = colorscheme
 
 	def add_local_theme(self, matcher, theme):
 		if matcher in self.local_themes:
@@ -27,6 +27,14 @@ class Renderer(object):
 		else:
 			return self.theme
 
+	def get_highlighting(self, segment, mode):
+		segment['highlight'] = self.colorscheme.get_highlighting(segment['highlight_group'], mode, segment.get('gradient_level'))
+		if segment['divider_highlight_group']:
+			segment['divider_highlight'] = self.colorscheme.get_highlighting(segment['divider_highlight_group'], mode)
+		else:
+			segment['divider_highlight'] = None
+		return segment
+
 	def render(self, mode=None, width=None, side=None, output_raw=False, segment_info=None, matcher_info=None):
 		'''Render all segments.
 
@@ -43,10 +51,10 @@ class Renderer(object):
 			theme.segment_info.update(segment_info)
 
 		# Handle excluded/included segments for the current mode
-		segments = [segment for segment in segments
+		segments = [self.get_highlighting(segment, mode) for segment in segments
 			if mode not in segment['exclude_modes'] or (segment['include_modes'] and segment in segment['include_modes'])]
 
-		segments = [segment for segment in self._render_segments(mode, theme, segments)]
+		segments = [segment for segment in self._render_segments(theme, segments)]
 
 		if not width:
 			# No width specified, so we don't need to crop or pad anything
@@ -73,11 +81,11 @@ class Renderer(object):
 					segment['_space_right'] += space_side
 			segments_spacers[0]['_space_right'] += distribute_len_remainder
 
-		rendered_highlighted = u''.join([segment['_rendered_hl'] for segment in self._render_segments(mode, theme, segments)]) + self.hlstyle()
+		rendered_highlighted = u''.join([segment['_rendered_hl'] for segment in self._render_segments(theme, segments)]) + self.hlstyle()
 
 		return self._returned_value(rendered_highlighted, segments, output_raw)
 
-	def _render_segments(self, mode, theme, segments, render_highlighted=True):
+	def _render_segments(self, theme, segments, render_highlighted=True):
 		'''Internal segment rendering method.
 
 		This method loops through the segment array and compares the
@@ -89,10 +97,6 @@ class Renderer(object):
 		statusline if render_highlighted is True.
 		'''
 		segments_len = len(segments)
-		try:
-			mode = mode if mode in segments[0]['highlight'] else DEFAULT_MODE_KEY
-		except IndexError:
-			pass
 
 		for index, segment in enumerate(segments):
 			segment['_rendered_raw'] = u''
@@ -102,7 +106,7 @@ class Renderer(object):
 			next_segment = segments[index + 1] if index < segments_len - 1 else theme.EMPTY_SEGMENT
 			compare_segment = next_segment if segment['side'] == 'left' else prev_segment
 			outer_padding = ' ' if (index == 0 and segment['side'] == 'left') or (index == segments_len - 1 and segment['side'] == 'right') else ''
-			divider_type = 'soft' if compare_segment['highlight'][mode]['bg'] == segment['highlight'][mode]['bg'] else 'hard'
+			divider_type = 'soft' if compare_segment['highlight']['bg'] == segment['highlight']['bg'] else 'hard'
 
 			divider_raw = theme.get_divider(segment['side'], divider_type)
 			divider_spaces = theme.get_spaces()
@@ -130,13 +134,13 @@ class Renderer(object):
 			if render_highlighted:
 				if divider_type == 'soft':
 					divider_highlight_group_key = 'highlight' if segment['divider_highlight_group'] is None else 'divider_highlight'
-					divider_fg = segment[divider_highlight_group_key][mode]['fg']
-					divider_bg = segment[divider_highlight_group_key][mode]['bg']
+					divider_fg = segment[divider_highlight_group_key]['fg']
+					divider_bg = segment[divider_highlight_group_key]['bg']
 				else:
-					divider_fg = segment['highlight'][mode]['bg']
-					divider_bg = compare_segment['highlight'][mode]['bg']
+					divider_fg = segment['highlight']['bg']
+					divider_bg = compare_segment['highlight']['bg']
 				divider_highlighted = self.hl(divider_raw, divider_fg, divider_bg, False)
-				contents_highlighted = self.hl(self.escape(contents_raw), **segment['highlight'][mode])
+				contents_highlighted = self.hl(self.escape(contents_raw), **segment['highlight'])
 
 			# Append padded raw and highlighted segments to the rendered segment variables
 			if segment['draw_divider'] or (divider_type == 'hard' and segment['width'] != 'auto'):
diff --git a/powerline/segment.py b/powerline/segment.py
index 0175ff04..0efd3949 100644
--- a/powerline/segment.py
+++ b/powerline/segment.py
@@ -45,6 +45,10 @@ segment_getters = {
 		}
 
 
+def scalar_to_list(value):
+	return value if type(value) is list else [value]
+
+
 def gen_segment_getter(ext, path, theme_configs, default_module=None):
 	data = {
 			'default_module': default_module or 'powerline.segments.' + ext,
@@ -66,8 +70,8 @@ def gen_segment_getter(ext, path, theme_configs, default_module=None):
 		divider_highlight_group = segment.get('divider_highlight_group')
 		return {
 			'type': segment_type,
-			'highlight_group': highlight_group,
-			'divider_highlight_group': divider_highlight_group,
+			'highlight_group': scalar_to_list(highlight_group),
+			'divider_highlight_group': scalar_to_list(divider_highlight_group) if divider_highlight_group else None,
 			'before': get_key(segment, module, 'before', ''),
 			'after': get_key(segment, module, 'after', ''),
 			'contents_func': contents_func,
diff --git a/powerline/segments/vim.py b/powerline/segments/vim.py
index 228e1ddc..91f80e25 100644
--- a/powerline/segments/vim.py
+++ b/powerline/segments/vim.py
@@ -241,7 +241,8 @@ def line_percent(segment_info, gradient=False):
 		return percentage
 	return [{
 		'contents': percentage,
-		'highlight_group': ['line_percent_gradient' + str(int(5 * percentage // 100) + 1), 'line_percent'],
+		'highlight_group': ['line_percent_gradient', 'line_percent'],
+		'gradient_level': percentage,
 		}]
 
 
diff --git a/powerline/theme.py b/powerline/theme.py
index db503866..14a79021 100644
--- a/powerline/theme.py
+++ b/powerline/theme.py
@@ -18,8 +18,7 @@ def requires_segment_info(func):
 
 
 class Theme(object):
-	def __init__(self, ext, colorscheme, theme_config, common_config, top_theme_config=None, segment_info=None):
-		self.colorscheme = colorscheme
+	def __init__(self, ext, theme_config, common_config, top_theme_config=None, segment_info=None):
 		self.dividers = theme_config.get('dividers', common_config['dividers'])
 		self.spaces = theme_config.get('spaces', common_config['spaces'])
 		self.segments = {
@@ -28,7 +27,7 @@ class Theme(object):
 			}
 		self.EMPTY_SEGMENT = {
 			'contents': None,
-			'highlight': defaultdict(lambda: {'fg': False, 'bg': False, 'attr': 0})
+			'highlight': {'fg': False, 'bg': False, 'attr': 0}
 			}
 		self.segment_info = segment_info
 		theme_configs = [theme_config]
@@ -45,14 +44,6 @@ class Theme(object):
 	def get_spaces(self):
 		return self.spaces
 
-	def add_highlight(self, segment):
-		segment['highlight'] = self.colorscheme.get_group_highlighting(segment['highlight_group'])
-		if segment['divider_highlight_group']:
-			segment['divider_highlight'] = self.colorscheme.get_group_highlighting(segment['divider_highlight_group'])
-		else:
-			segment['divider_highlight'] = None
-		return segment
-
 	def get_segments(self, side=None):
 		'''Return all segments.
 
@@ -92,7 +83,6 @@ class Theme(object):
 				else:
 					continue
 			for segment in parsed_segments:
-				segment = self.add_highlight(segment)
 				segment['contents'] = segment['before'] + unicode(segment['contents'] if segment['contents'] is not None else '') + segment['after']
 				# Align segment contents
 				if segment['width'] and segment['width'] != 'auto':