Introduction to Color Theory

for Artists
Serena Archetti 13 Mar

You've picked up a brush, and you're about to add the

base colors to your latest masterpiece. But then you
hesitate. What color should you use?

Most people choose colors based on trial and error or gut

feeling, which doesn't always give the best results. But
what if there was an easier way to select the colors for
your paintings? A method that takes the guesswork out of
choosing colors, and instead gives you a systematic way
to create stunning harmonious color schemes every time.

Well, there is such a thing. It's called color theory.

On top of finally saying goodbye to the color picking

struggles, you will find that understanding color theory
can help you improve your skills, create more successful
pieces, and even help you sell more art.

Color theory is a science, and it might seem like a scary

topic - I used to feel like there was just too much
information to remember that, the more I read about it
online, the least I understood about it!

But, I promise you, if you're reading this, you can

understand the basics of color theory. In this article, I'm
going to break it down for you and make it as easy to
understand and remember as possible.

So, let's get started!

What is Color Theory for Artists?

As artists, we use color theory to make sure our artwork
looks visually appealing, communicate ideas, messages,
and stories. But color theory at its core is about the
physics of light, and how our eyes and brain processes it.

Simply put, the definition of color theory is a system to

understand what colors are, how they interact with one
another, how they can evoke different emotions and
meanings, and how we can use them to communicate
visually.

This blog post will mainly focus on the artistic applications

of color theory and not the scientific side of things.
If you're interested in learning more about the science of
light and color, I suggest checking out this book from
Margaret Livingstone: Vision and Art: The Biology of
Seeing.

How We See Colors

Before we get started, it's important to understand how
we see colors.

Light is energy, specifically within the range we

call visible light on the electromagnetic spectrum. This
spectrum is made up of many different wavelengths we
see as colors, with violet at one end and red at the other.

Each wavelength corresponds to a specific frequency that

our eyes can detect. When these frequencies hit our
retina, our brain interprets them and sees them as
different colors.

Our eyes have two types of cells that help us see: rods
and cones. Rods are responsible for our vision in low
light conditions, and they don't distinguish between
different colors. Cones, on the other hand, are activated
in well-lit situations, and they help us see color.

We have three types of cones that each responds to a

different wavelength of light: short (S), middle (M), and
long (L) cones. When the three types of cones work
together, they create what we see as color.
Each type of cone responds to a specific range of colors,
and by combining the responses of all three we can see
the whole spectrum of colors.

The figure below shows the wavelength each type of cone

is sensitive to:

Wavelengths each type of cone is sensitive to,

As you can see, the S-cones are most sensitive to short

wavelengths (blue light), M-cones are most susceptible
to middle wavelengths (green light), and L-cones are
most sensitive to long wavelengths (red light).

When all three types of cones are stimulated equally, we

see the color white. And when they're not stimulated at
all, we see the color black.

All other colors are a combination of these three primary

colors.
So, the definition of primary colors is colors that can't be
created by mixing other colors together. This means all
other colors are a mix of two or more primary colors.

By combining all three primary colors in different

strengths, we can make up all the color combinations
detectable by humans. In fact, there is up to an amazing
million colors we can see by adjusting how much red,
green or blue is within the light.

How Objects Get Their Color

Now we know how our eyes see color, but how you might
ask do objects get their color? When light shines on an
object, it will absorb some light in specific wavelengths
and reflect the rest. The waves that reflect into our eyes
make up the colors we see.

For example, if you shine a bright light on a red apple, the

apple will absorb all colors except for red, which will be
reflected and travel to our eyes, making the apple look
red.

Additive and Subtractive Colors

When light is emitted from a light source and enters our
eyes directly, the wavelengths will add up together to
become brighter and brighter. We call this process
Additive.
In the image above, we have three flashlights of the
primary colors RGB. When we crossover the different
colored lights, they create a brighter light of a new color.
And if we add red, green, and blue together, we now have
all the wavelengths hitting our eyes simultaneously,
creating white light.

On the other hand, subtractive colours are what we see

when light hits an object and is reflected into our eyes.
The colors we see are the colors that the object has not
absorbed. Mixing primary colors creates darker secondary
colors and so on, until eventually when all the colors
are mixed equally, we will get black because it's no
longer reflecting any color.

A Little Bit About the Color Wheel

If you have ever taken an art class, you would have come
across the color wheel. A color wheel is a visual tool that
artists use to help understand color relationships.

There are many different types of color wheels, each with

its own purpose. So, it can be confusing to navigate all
the options and choose the right color wheel for your
project, but don't worry, we will go over the purpose of
each of them and see their strengths and
weaknesses together.

Anatomy of a Color Wheel: Primary,

Secondary and Tertiary Colors
All the color wheels share the same basic structure. It is
essentially a circle with the primary colors placed at
equal distances around the circumference,
the secondary colors, sit at the halfway point between
primary colors, and the tertiary colors between each
secondary and primary color.

You might have also noticed that the RGB has different
primary colors from the CMYK and the RYB color wheel,
this is because the RGB color model uses light while the
others are exclusively for printing inks and pigments,
which require a different set of primaries to work correctly.

The RGB Color Wheel

The RGB color wheel is the most commonly used in digital
media. It consists of the three primary colors for light,
Red, Green and Blue. When mixed, they create all possible
wavelengths that we can see. Making it perfect for
working with digital media as you can create any color
imaginable by adjusting the levels of each primary color.

Best for:

Digital Art and Video

Strengths:

It is mathematically correct in the actual world. And

because it's based on how the eyes function rather than
how pigments mix when combined, RGB wheels may
produce more appealing color harmonies than other color
modes.

Weaknesses:

Because the colors are so pure, they can appear

oversaturated and hard for us to visualise and interpret
into art.

The RGB color wheel is also an additive color wheel that

can be a little confusing for artists with a traditional art
background, starting with digital media, as they might be
more used to the RYB color wheel.

The CMYK Color Wheel

The CMYK color wheel is used in the printing industry and
is made up of the four primary colors for pigment, Cyan,
Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black), these are the four
colors that, when mixed, create all possible colors. Black
is added as a primary color because CMY can't make pure
black when mixed because they are usually not pure
enough pigments.

Best for:

Printing
Weaknesses:

There is no international standard for CMYK pigments,

and different countries can use different standards from
each other

CMYK is a limited palette and cannot show all colours

within human vision, so you will have fewer colors to work
with

The Traditional Pigment Color Wheel

The RYB Color Wheel is the oldest of the three and has
been around for centuries, making it familiar to most
artists. It starts with the three primary colors for paint,
Red, Yellow and Blue. And although this color model is
probably the most used, it does come with some flaws
that you might want to keep in mind if you decide to use it.

Best for:

Painting

Strengths:

Well known, it has lots of resources to help you use this

color wheel.

Weaknesses:

The Colors are based on old science and are spaced

unevenly across the color wheel, making it harder to
create good harmonies. The warm colors are usually
predominant, and the cold tone can be pretty dull.

Colors are not set in stone. Different paint manufacturers

can have slightly different pigment variations, so it's hard
to achieve accurate color mixing.

The YURMBY Color Wheel

Invented by Toby Sandford, this wheel mixes CMY and
RBG to create an accurate color model that is easy on the
eye, unlike the RGB wheel! I learned about this wheel from
the fantastic book "Color and Light" by James Gurney,
another recommended read for all artists who want to
delve deeper into color theory.

Best for:

All-rounder
Strengths:

Combines RGB and CMY to create a universal wheel,

which is accurate and easy to use.

Color Schemes
When it comes to color theory, color schemes are a
fantastic tool that takes most guesswork from picking
great color combinations. At its essence, a color scheme,
also known as color harmony, is a group of colors that
work together to create a pleasing look, evoke a feeling or
guide attention. There are many different color schemes
that you can use. The most popular ones are
monochromatic, analogous, complementary, triadic, split
complementary and double complementary color
harmonies. Let's take a closer look at each one.

Monochromatic Color Scheme

A monochromatic color scheme uses only one color. And
although this might sound limiting, it can be a really great
way to create some beautiful and impactful designs.
Using different shades, tints, and tones of the same color,
you can create an elegant and simple, cohesive look. But
be careful. It can be a little boring if not used correctly.

Analogous Color Scheme

The analogous color scheme is a color scheme that uses
colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. This
type of color harmony is usually quite pleasing to the eye,
as it creates a natural flow from one color to the next. The
key to using an analogous color scheme is to use one
color as your dominant color, and the other colors as
supporting colors.

Complementary Color Scheme

The complementary color scheme is one of the most
popular schemes out there, and for a good reason.
Complementary colors are two colors opposite each
other on the color wheel, and when used together, they
create a really eye-catching effect.

Split Complementary Color Scheme

A split complementary color scheme uses three different
colors. The main color, another color directly across from
it (the complementary color), and a third colour that is
next to the complement. This scheme is perfect for
projects that need a pop of color.

Triadic Color Scheme

The triadic color scheme is another popular scheme that
uses three evenly spaced colours around the color
wheel. This scheme is perfect for projects that need lots
of color. This is a more advanced color scheme because it
can be tricky to keep a good balance between all the
colors.

Double Complementary Color Scheme

Also known as a tetradic color scheme, the double
complementary scheme is even more complex than a
triadic one because it uses four colors. These are
usually two sets of complementary colors that are exact
opposites. This scheme is perfect for projects that need
lots of color and visual interest.

Balancing Colors
Once you have picked a color scheme you might be
wondering how much of each color you should use, which
colors should be more saturated and which shouldn't, or
how to translate what you see on the color scheme to a
working color palette in the first place. The good news is
that color theory is as much of a science as an art, and
science has some set rules that work virtually all the time!

Let's look at some of those guidelines together.

Choose a Primary Color

The first thing you need to do when creating a color

scheme is to choose a primary color. This is the color that
will dominate your design, and you can use it in 60-80%
of your project. The other colors in the scheme will
support and accent colors to add interest.

Mind Your Saturation

Keep your highest saturation level for the focal point of

your image or design, and then use lower saturation levels
for the secondary and tertiary colors. This will help create
a sense of hierarchy and order in your design.

Create Contrast

Contrast is key in any design, but it's especially important

when using color. You want to make sure that your colors
are different enough to create visual interest but not so
different that they are jarring. A good rule of thumb is
using light and dark, or warm and cool colors next to each
other, with the highest contrast near the image's focal
point.

Warm and Cold Colors

Another fascinating aspect of color theory is the

difference between warm and cold colors. Warm
colors usually appear to come from a fire or the sun and
generally make things look more cheerful or active. Cool
colors, on the other hand, are the colors of objects that
we usually see as cold, like ice, water, and shadow areas.
They give a feeling of coldness and stillness.

Warm Colors
Warm colors such as red, orange, and yellow can create
an energetic or dangerous feel to a painting. They are
often used to add drama or excitement. They can also
come across as inviting, welcoming and full of life, and
they generally attract the viewer's eye.

Cool Colors

Cool colors such as blue, green, and purple can create

a calming or serene feeling. They often appear in
paintings that evoke a sense of tranquillity. They can also
come across as uninviting or sad. In general, they are
less likely to attract the viewer's eye because cool colors
recede, or move back in a painting, while warm colors
come forward, stealing all the attention.

Check out my blog post on How to Effectively Use Warm

and Cold Colors in Art for in-depth tips on how to use
warm and cold colors.

Color Meaning in Art

A big part of color theory is understanding color
psychology - the way different colors can affect our
emotions, moods, and thoughts. Color psychology is a
vast topic on its own, so we will only scratch the surface
for this article.

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, I

suggest checking out this post on the meanings of
colors.

Here is a quick overview of a few of the most popular

colors and what they mean in art:

Blue: Stability, peace, and tranquillity

Green: Prosperity, hope, and growth

Yellow: Happiness, warmth, danger

Purple: Royalty, spirituality, wisdom, magic and mystery

Red: Passion, Blood, Love, Aggression

Orange: Creativity, happiness, excitement

Pink: Kindness, love, youth, sweetness, naivety

White: Light, purity, Innocence, emptiness

Gray: Durable, neutral, old, lifeless, boring

Black: Darkness, elegance, power and authority

Brown: Earthiness, dependability, strength

Theory vs Practice
Now that you have learned the basics of color theory, it is
important to learn how to apply it. This is where practice
comes in.
It is important to note that color theory is not a set of rigid
rules - it is more like a set of guidelines that can help you
when making choices about color.

While it is essential to understand the theory of color,

practice is the best way to learn about how colors work
together and what effects they can create. Get your
hands dirty and start testing with what you just learned.
Try out different color harmonies and see what works best
for you.

So experiment! Try out different color schemes and see

what you come up with. Not everything will be a success
at the start, but that's ok. As with any other art, you need
a healthy mix of skill, practice, and play to grow.

Conclusion
Knowing how to harness color is a superpower, and you
are now well on your way to becoming a color theory
superhero! Don't be afraid to experiment and play around
with different color combinations. The more you practice,
the better you will get. And who knows, you might even
create a masterpiece or two in the process!