Color Theory

How to Mix Colors this article is reprinted with permission from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit Have you ever mixed red and blue paint only to find you have "mud" instead of purple? Want to know how to create any color you may need for an art project? Now it's time to learn how. Lack of good information has made mixing colors unnecessarily difficult in the past. Before the invention of color photography, color mixing was not very well understood, and it was believed that red, ...

Color Theory – Part 1 Could you imagine a world without color? As humans, our eyes can distinguish millions of colors. Our brain’s capacity for color is the most advanced in the natural world. Although we are not born with the ability to see all colors, as we grow and learn about our surroundings, we are able to determine a basic set of colors called the primary colors. Primary colors are the colors that cannot be created by mixing colors: red, yellow and ...

Harmony in color is important for two reasons 1.) it is pleasing to the eye and 2.) it conveys a sense of balance. Balance is necessary in harmony because you have hues that compliment, attract and give a sense of completeness. Let’s explore the basic definitions first. First, remember the basic color wheel: Complimentary colors are colors lying on opposite sides of the color wheel. For example, green is the complement of red. Purple is the complement of yellow and so on. ...

Color Theory – Part 3 You understand the properties of the color wheel and its basic components: primary colors, secondary colors and tertiary colors. These colors are the basis from which all other colors are derived and are important to understand in order to make sure you mix and match them in your designs. We’ve also learned about the harmonies of color: complementary colors, analogous colors, triadic colors and split complementary colors. Now let’s learn ...

Color Theory – Part 4 Knowing the basics of color allows you to design and create pieces to send the exact message you intend with your product. Whether it’s fashion, home décor, accessories or even jewelry, it is important to know the meaning of the color scheme you select. The chart above provides a basic understanding of the meanings of the basic six colors. Reds are passionate and energetic. Oranges are cheerful and creative. Yellow gives a lively and happy ...