Color Theory

October 16th, 2007 | by Art Supplies |

Arts is a game of colors, colors are the basis of every painting. If it is said that colors are the blood line of a painting then it won’t be far from truth, thus all artists use colors generously. However, for this they need large and continuous supply of colors. Usually the painters keep a large amount of each color in stock. They do this to avoid such situations where they find themselves short of a particular color when they are in the middle of making a new painting.

There are three basic colors – red, yellow and blue – all of these colors combine together to make other colors. Whether you wish to achieve violet or green combine two or more of the basic colors and you will get your desired results. But you must keep in mind that colors are not only meant to add effect to the painting, each color have a purpose in the world of arts. Colors are used to convey emotions and moods. For example dark colors like black, gray etc are meant to convey gloom whereas red stands for blood shed as well as love. The painting depends upon the choice of colors to completely convey the message of the painter to the general public. There are many books available in market that can be helpful in the matter. Also, different sectors also arrange workshops and seminars to provide guidance. These workshops and seminars prove to be helpful in giving advices on how to use the colors, how to improve your painting abilities as well as offer you techniques that can be useful.

The colors are generally arranged in the form of a color wheel to help in understanding the relationship that different colors have with one another. This color wheel includes three basic/primary colors, three secondary colors and six tertiary colors.

 Primary colors include red, yellow and blue, these are the basis of all other colors and these cannot be achieved by mixing of any other color
  • Secondary colors are acquired by mixing of two basic or primary colors. These are violet, orange and green
  • Tertiary colors are six in total and are a result of combination of one primary color with two secondary colors. Green-Blue, Blue Violet, Red-orange, Violet-Red, Orange-Yellow and Yellow-Green are the six tertiary colors.
 But there is more to colors that meet the eyes. If you arrange the colors in a color wheel you will also find many other sets of colors. These are listed below

·         The colors that are exactly opposite to one another in the color wheel are the complimentary colors

·         Analogous colors usually dominate the painting and are the three adjacent colors from the same family

·         Colors like red, orange and yellow are classified as the warm colors on the color wheel

·         The cool colors of the color wheel include green, blue and violets

 In short, the colors are the life line of any painting, whether you want to depict happiness or show sorrow you can use color to your advantage.

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