Color theory and having a grasp on color wheel basics is so important with watercolors! In this post, I want to discuss the importance of color bias, color wheel basics, and some color schemes that you should try in your next painting. Check out the post below to grab your free download of my color wheel template!
Remember to check out my FREE online course, Watercolor Basics for the Absolute Beginner, if you want to learn more.
Growing up, my parents always told me I had an eye for color. I didn’t know exactly what they meant by that. But they eventually told me it was because I always chose the right colors for any drawing project. As an adult now, I’m still intrigued by colors and their potential even though my house is pretty minimal in color: white, sage, mint green, and light wood, organic colors.
Painting with watercolors poses its own unique challenges because there are variables like granulation, chroma, and transparency to consider. In this video, we’ll cover just the basics of what color theory is, what a color wheel is, color bias, and basic color schemes.
Color Theory
Color theory is a set of rules that explains what happens when you mix colors. These rules apply to every art form, including watercolors. Color theory was originally formed by the three primary colors: red, yellow, and blue.
From there, you can mix primary colors to create secondary colors: orange, green, and purple.
And from there, you can mix a primary and secondary color to create tertiary colors. These are the hyphenated color names.
This representation of colors and color mixtures is what create the foundation of a color wheel.
Color Wheel Basics and Color Bias
There are variations when it comes to a color wheel. In its most basic form, you have the primary, secondary, and tertiary colors represented. And when you split the color wheel in the middle, you have warm colors on one side and cool colors on the other.
Let’s look a little closer at these colors, specifically the primary colors, because you may have noticed that there is more than one type of primary color. Meaning that each primary color has a color bias. This also means that no primary color is completely pure.
This is what I mean. Notice my two reds here. This one has a yellow bias and looks warmer compared to this red that has a blue bias and is cool.
Same goes for the yellow and blue. Each has a different bias towards another primary color.
The primary color bias will lead to a leaning towards a secondary color.
For example, a warm red has a yellow bias and will lean towards orange.
A warm blue has a red bias and will lean towards purple.
A cool yellow has a blue bias and will lean towards green.
This is key to understanding how to mix colors because you’ll notice that mixing certain primary colors with certain biases will create a wide array of results.
So in short, if you want bright, clean colors – choose colors that lean towards the same secondary color. A cool yellow with a cool blue because they both lean towards green. Or a cool red with a warm blue will learn towards purple.
But sometimes the muddy, muted colors are preferred. And that’s okay! As long as you’re not experimenting on the fly as you’re painting. You want to make informed choices when it comes to color so that you’re not surprised by what happens on the paper.
And if you were to mix all three primary colors, you’d get black.
Three Easy Color Schemes
There are a few basic color schemes that you should be aware of. Try these out with basic shapes to help you get started.
Monochromatic
A one-color scheme that includes variations of that one color.
If I find a color that really speaks to me in the moment, I like to paint a monochromatic painting to make the most of it. That’s how I felt when I painted these little wreaths and these snowscapes. The key to a monochromatic painting is showing a wide range of values.
Complementary
Two colors that are on opposite sides of the color wheel
Using complementary colors can create a lot of great contrast. Used wrongly, and the colors will compete against each other. Make sure that you use various values of each color so as not to overwhelm the viewer.
Mixing complementary colors will also result in a neutral colors. Learn more about this in my Skillshare class!
Analogous
Three colors that are next to each other on the color wheel
I like to use this color scheme a lot when I’m painting florals because it helps the viewer’s eye move effortlessly from one to the next. Even so, make sure that one of the colors is slightly more dominant in value so that they don’t compete against each other. Everything is about the right balance!
If you haven’t painted a color wheel yet, you can download my color wheel templates using the link in the description below. Although it’s a free download, you can show your appreciation by paying what you want.
Thanks so much for watching! I hope you learned something new.
I know this was a quick intro to color basics, so if you want to learn more, you can take my Skillshare class on how to paint watercolor greys and other courses where I explore color.
Watch the video on Color Theory and Color Wheel Basics
Thanks so much for reading this post on color theory and color wheel basics! I hope you learned something new.
If you paint one of my color wheels, please tag me on social media @AudreyRaDesign and use the hashtag #PaintWithAudrey.
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