At first glance, the theory of color may seem complicated, but to understand the basic principles you need to start applying them in your own creative life. Whether you’re a painter, a home renovator, or looking to put together a stunning outfit; Understanding color theory is the key to creating harmonious color schemes and creating them with confidence.
What is color theory?
The study of color theory has a long and multifaceted history starting with Aristotle. At that time, philosophers discussed color combinations and how they could be used to create new ones. Next, scientists study the effects of light and how it affects what colors we can see and why.
A more modern method of studying color appeared around the 18th century when we began to define the words we still use as early colors. From there the artistic tradition of color theory became detached from the scientific. While science focused on our approach to color, artists focused on how color can be created, assembled, and used.
In today’s artistic world, color theory is defined as a practical direction for visual artists and designers to help them come up with color schemes, blend colors, and define colors the way we see them. And the main tool used to help artists understand these relationships is the color wheel.
What is a color wheel?
The color wheel is an illustrative tool used to help us define colors and their relationship to each other, the first being invented by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666 and has been used in various variations ever since. You’re probably familiar with the color wheel taught in most art classes, but did you know it’s not the only one?
There are two main methods of color production, subtraction, and additive. But why? It returns to all the light and explains the way our eyes see color. An added color wheel reflects how different light wavelengths can create visible color. The subtraction color wheel shows us how a color looks to us when white light, such as sunlight, is reflected from an object.
If you are confused, try to think like this. Have you ever looked closely at a computer or TV screen? If you see it starts with black and then a pixel or point of light, which illuminates the screen and shows you the picture. These national digital screens use a combination color method, starting with black and then mixing different amounts of colored light they can create all the colors in the spectrum of visible light. In this color wheel, the primary colors are red, green, and blue.
A subtraction color wheel is what we usually think of as the painter's color wheel. Subtraction colors start from white and then colors are used so that the surface reflects a different color to our eyes. It can be paint, dye, pigment, or anything else. On a subtraction color wheel, the primary colors are red, yellow, and blue.
For the purpose of painting, you really only need to know about this color wheel. Still, isn't it interesting how light affects what our eyes see? The painter's color wheel colors are divided into 3 main groups: primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.
Painter's color wheel
Primary colors: red, yellow, and blue
These three primary colors are the basis of the color wheel. These are called primary colors because their actual color pigments cannot be made by mixing any other color combination and all other colors of the color wheel are derived from these three colors. It is important to have a true red, blue and yellow to help with the mix of different colors when painting.
Second color: purple, orange, and green
Secondary colors are created by mixing equal parts of two primary colors together.
Red + blue = purple
Red + yellow = orange
Blue + yellow = green
Third color: blue-purple, red-purple, red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, and blue-green
In total, there are six third colors. Tertiary colors are made by mixing equal parts of primary and secondary colors together.
Blue (primary) + violet (secondary) = blue-purple
Red (primary) + violet (secondary) = red-purple
Red (primary) + orange (secondary) = red-orange
Yellow (primary) + orange (secondary) = yellow-orange
Yellow (primary) + green (secondary) = yellow-green
Blue (primary) + green (secondary) = blue-green
Shades, tints, and tones
If you have a favorite color that is not represented on the color wheel, there may be a reason for it! Different tints, shades, and tones can be taken from these 12 basic colors. An aura is when an artist adds white to make a light color. For example, pink is actually a hint of red. Americana Acrylics has a great variety of colors, including pink!
A shadow is created when an artist adds black to darken a color. Go a little further with black paint, so try adding just a touch to see what deep and dramatic shades you can create from your favorite colors. Similarly, a tone is created when gray is added. Try it when you want an even finer version.
When painting, mixing the colors you use with a small amount of white or black is an easy way to create a natural look highlight and shade color. Try this technique yourself and see what you can mix! Some artists will create a complete painting using shades and tints from just one color for a monochromatic look.
How else are colors classified?
One of the main uses of color wheels is to help us recognize the visual relationship between colors. Seeing the color placement on the color wheel, we can come up with different color groupings that work well with each other for different purposes. Below are some basic color schemes that you can specify when choosing colors for your palette.
Basic color scheme
Complementary colors:
Complementary colors are two colors that are directly from each other on the color wheel. These pairs are usually high-contrast and bold. While these complete contrasts may not seem to work well, together they brighten and strengthen each other for a high-impact look.
Similar colors:
A similar color scheme consists of three neighboring colors on the color wheel. Choose one color from the primary color and two colors on either side to create your own similar color scheme. Their proximity to the color wheel makes similar color schemes harmonious and subtle.
Triadic color:
A triadic color scheme consists of three colors that are evenly spaced on a color wheel in the shape of a triangle. Triadic color schemes are bolder than a similar color scheme and create some wonderful contrasts and vibrant looks.
Split-complementary colors:
A split-complement color scheme is similar to a complementary color scheme. Instead of using two colors directly from each other on the color wheel, it uses three colors: one primary color and then two adjacent colors. Split-complementary color schemes serve as the dominant color of one color and the other two are used as accent colors, so as not to look too busy.
Tetradic color:
Also called a rectangular color scheme, a tetradic color scheme distinguishes 4 colors in a rectangular shape. This will help you choose two complementary color pairs that work well together, allowing for a colorful but harmonious combination.
Square color:
A square color scheme is an equal distance of 4 colors from each other. The square color schemes are bold, vibrant, and balanced. Choose a square over a rectangular color scheme if you are going for a high-contrast look.
Color wheel project
Having your own color wheel to refer back to can be useful for any artistic space. Below are some color wheel canvas ideas from the EArtPik Project Gallery that you can draw yourself and use to decorate your studio.