An Introduction to Color Theory

Note: It is important to note that dealing with color on the computer screen is quite different than dealing with it in paint, markers, crayons, pastels, pencils etc. There is a limit to the number of colors that can be represented accuratly on a computer monitor and each monitor will desplay colors differently. On that note, please do not take these graphics as the definitive in color theory, but rather as a crude example that is not real accurate in the world of artistic mediums. I hope you find these examples helpful to you in understanding color and how to use it.

Color Inspiration

Is using the color wheel too much work for your style? There are many places to from which you can borrow color schemes. Look around your day-to-day life. Many things in nature are examples of the color schemes I described in the previous e-mail. You may also see these various color schemes in some of your favorite artists' work, your favorite sweater or bedding.

If you are scared of combining colors I high recommend starting a notebook of some variety. In this notebook keep pictures you've taken of nature, cut-outs from magazines and junk mail that have color combinations you find pleasing and take notes about them. Even try match up your cardstocks, markers, paints, color pencils and other supplies to the colors in the samples. Then, when you feel stuck you can randomly pick a page in the notebook and work with that color scheme.

Another way to get more comfortable with color is to play with it. For some this means playing with stuff that can be undone. If it isn't a final piece of art it's safer to experiment. One of the best ways to do this is to put together a swatch book with your cardstocks and papers. Punch a hole in a corner and put them on one of the loose-leaf rings you can get at office supply stores. Then you can pull out colors and see how they work together. This can also be done with paint chips. There are also some places on the web where you can play with the 256 color web-safe palette one of my favorites is http://www.paletteman.com/ they also have preset color schemes you can explore.

Color Schemes | Tutorial Index | Color Resources