Color Theory

Blending Color Theory and Practical Experience

Color is far from an exact science. When we see blue, it's merely an interpretation our brain makes of the way light bounces off an object.

Scientifically, the light bounces in measurable ways. But the experience of blue is purely subjective.

Our human brains react to different hues, tints, tones and shades in surprisingly predictable ways.

Most people can tell when a color scheme just doesn't look right.

Understanding why it clashes will be easy with a little color theory practice.

Using a Color WheelA Primary Color Wheel blends

both scientific theory and subjective preferences. It's simply a tool to help you choose color schemes and paint colors with confidence.

Primary ColorsRed, Yellow and Blue are the 3

primary colors. All colors can be created by starting with these 3 colors.

Secondary ColorsSecondary colors are created by

combining 2 primary colors. The 3 secondary colors are Orange, Green and Purple.

Tertiary ColorsTertiary colors are created by

combining a primary color with a secondary color.

Let’s PracticePaint the basic color wheel.Begin with the primary colors.

Then mix and paint the secondary colors. Finish with the tertiary colors.

Remember your paint brush care and painting guidelines.

You will glue your color wheel paper in your sketchbook once it dries.