Color Secrets All Artists Use

Of all the tools used to create art, the color wheel is a revered guide, depicting the intricate interplay between hues. A staple for artists, designers, and creative minds alike, this circular diagram is a cornerstone of color theory, aiding in the crafting of harmonious palettes.

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Simple color wheel with primary colors yellow, red and blue in the middle, surrounded by secondary colors green, orange and violet, then tertiary colors.

The building Blocks: Primary Colors

You may have seen a version or two of a color wheel in elementary school or while doing some redecorating in your room. At its core, the traditional color wheel showcases primary colors – red, blue, and yellow, the fundamental building blocks of all other hues. Artists can happily utilize just these colors.

Painted image of a young girl in blue polka dott shirt and striped skirt standing with butterflies on her head. All the colors are blue tones. — Butterflies – Hanna Ilczyszyn

Blue and red astronaut sitting on an elevated platform with a fishing pole fishing into a galaxy swirl of blue and red. — Butterflies – Hanna Ilczyszyn

Mixing it up: SEcondary Colors

From the fusion of the primaries emerge the secondary colors – orange, green, and violet. Remember mixing colors as a child to create, surprise, a new color? Again, artists can stay within the primary and secondary color ranges to make beautiful images.

Dark Green background with yellow cheetah standing, looking straight ahead with a green color — Twin Cheetah with an Emerald Collar – Christian Baloga

Closeup of a woman's face in orange on an orange background — Twin Cheetah with an Emerald Collar – Christian Baloga

Go Outside the lines: Tertiary Colors

Moving farther out on the wheel, tertiary colors marry a primary and a neighboring secondary color, offering a spectrum of nuanced tones. Here’s where artists can spread their colorful wings!

Abstract image with streaks of yellow, blue, green and orange — Are Material – Torin Craig

Orange and blue horses dance around with blue and orange rabbits against a green and blue background — Are Material – Torin Craig

Color Relationships

Yet, the wheel’s significance extends beyond simply arranging and categorizing color. There is an entire theory behind color relationships. As the wheel gets more intricate, it unveils a dance of color relationships, with complementary hues positioned in opposition, and igniting vibrant contrasts to captivate the eye. Analogous colors, those colors that sit next to each other on the wheel, create calm unity. Triadic colors, three colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel, create harmony and vibrant balance.

Stripes of orange, peach, yellow, brown, red and teal waterfall over an edge with a teal 1950's car parked at the edge. — Euphoria – Romantic Appeal

Abstract, surreal image of face in pink, teal, orange and white, outlined in black — Euphoria – Romantic Appeal

In the hands of an artist, the color wheel is more than a diagram; it is a trusted ally. With its guidance, artists navigate the realm of color harmony, contrast, and balance, painting worlds that speak to the soul.

Maybe you aren’t even aware when you put together an outfit or add new pillows to your couch that you are engaging in color theory. Do you have favorite color combinations? Do you lean towards certain colors when you purchase art? Leave a comment below.

The building Blocks: Primary Colors

Mixing it up: SEcondary Colors

Go Outside the lines: Tertiary Colors

Color Relationships

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The building Blocks: Primary Colors

Mixing it up: SEcondary Colors

Go Outside the lines: Tertiary Colors

Color Relationships

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Like this:

1 thought on “Color Secrets All Artists Use”

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