How to Practice Color Theory

Whether you’re a graphic designer or a visual artist, you have to work with a variety of colors on a daily basis. Color theory helps you to pinpoint the various emotions and attitudes that different hues and color combinations convey. To practice and integrate color theory into your latest art projects, choose a variety of hues or color schemes to communicate a certain message. If you’d like to cater to a specific emotion or mindset, use both color theory and color psychology to figure out which feelings are associated with different colors.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Choosing Hues and Color Schemes for a Project

1
Create basic color schemes with primary and secondary colors. Take a look at your color palette before starting on a new creative project. Red, yellow, and blue are primary colors, which work together to create secondary colors like orange, green, and purple. As you embark on new colorful projects, review these different color mixtures, and how each hue connects with other shades.
- “Hue” is another term for a generic color.
- Look at a color wheel to see how different hues bleed and connect with one another.
- To review, red and yellow form orange; yellow and blue form green; and blue and red form purple.
2
Use the additive color mixing model to create digital color schemes. Imagine 3 separate red, blue, and green spotlights intersecting in a large Venn diagram, forming smaller slivers of yellow, cyan, magenta, and a white center portion. Remember that different colors can be formed when different shades of light combine. Since the additive color mixing model focuses on how colors of light are viewed by the eye, try applying it to a potential logo, or other types of professional, digital publications.^{[1]XResearch source}
- The additive color mixing model focuses on how the human eye perceives color.
- Use an online mixture tool to see how different colors appear on screen with the additive color mixing model: https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/primarycolors/additiveprimaries.
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3
Implement the subtractive color mixing model in your print publications. The subtractive color mixing model combines the wavelengths of different colors to create new shades. To better understand this model, imagine a Venn diagram of 3 separate cyan, magenta, and yellow circles. Envision slivers of blue forming between cyan and magenta, green forming between cyan and yellow, and red forming between magenta and yellow. Note that, when combined, cyan, magenta, and yellow form black.^{[2]XResearch source}
- This model is used by color printers, and helps the human eye process color on printed material.
- Different colors have different light wavelengths, which cancel one another out in this model. For instance, red has a long wavelength, green has a medium wavelength, and blue has a short wavelength.^{[3]XResearch source}
4
Go with warm tones like reds, oranges, and yellows to create bright color schemes. Associate warm colors with bright, sunny hues. On the color wheel, remember that red, red-orange, orange, orange-yellow, yellow, and yellow-green are all on the warm spectrum since they’re sunny, fiery tones. Note that warm tones have longer color wavelengths, with red being the longest and yellow-green being the shortest.
- Warm tones are often associated with sunsets, campfires, and other bright color combinations.
Connect cool colors with darker, more subtle hues. As you examine the color wheel, place green, green-blue, blue, indigo, blue-purple, and purple on the cool color spectrum, as opposed to the warm spectrum. Create reflective and soothing color schemes by combining different varieties of these colors. As you factor in the additive and subtractive color models, note that cool colors have shorter wavelengths, with green being the longest and purple being the shortest.
6
Play around with tone, tint, and shade to create new colors. When designing a color palette for a new project, try tweaking different hues to make them lighter or darker. To “tint” a shade, mix white into the original hue. If you’d prefer to create a darker color, use black to add “shade.” If you’re looking for some kind of middle ground, incorporate a splash of gray to a hue to add “tone.” Use different variations of both primary and secondary colors to create new shades.
- For instance, robin’s egg blue is a tinted alteration of a generic blue hue. On the other hand, navy blue is a shaded variation.
7
Create a synchronized color scheme with analogous colors. If you’re trying to create a subtle, stylish backdrop for piece of art or an interior design, try using different color variations of the same hue. Add white, black, or gray to a color to modify the hue, then combine different variations to create a fun color scheme. Experiment with both light and dark versions of different colors, whether you’re working on an art project, a graphic design publication, or an interior renovation.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of Georgia Cooperative ExtensionDivision of the University of Georgia focused on research and community educationGo to source}
- For instance, if you’re trying to paint a sky backdrop for a piece of art, try using an analogous blue color scheme. Use darker blues for the base of the sky, then blend into lighter shades of blue.
8
Make your project pop with complementary colors. Look at a color wheel to find hues that are opposite of one another on the color wheel, like red and green. These opposing hues emphasize one another with their differing color values. Keep in mind that complementary colors don’t have to be generic hues—tinted and shaded colors also have respective opposites on the color wheel, as well.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of Georgia Cooperative ExtensionDivision of the University of Georgia focused on research and community educationGo to source}
- For example, try making a more engaging logo by including 2 complementary colors in your brand’s identity. If you’re running an ocean-themed jewelry store, try mixing light blue and peach to design an effective, eye-popping logo.
Did you know? Split complementary is another color scheme you can use in your art and design projects. Instead of using 2 opposing colors, create a tri-color scheme with 3 colors that aren’t quite complements of one another.
For instance, maroon, coral, and green tones are a good example of split complementary colors.
9
Develop a dynamic color scheme with triadic colors. Choose 3 colors that are an equal distance away from one another on the color wheel to create a triadic color scheme. If you’d like to add more depth to an aspect of your design or art project, use triadic colors to provide harmony and emphasis without the direct contrast of complementary colors. To find a triadic color scheme, place an equilateral triangle on top of a color wheel, and use all 3 colors that the triangle points to.
- For instance, purple, orange, and green are equally separated from each other, which forms a color triad.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Communicating Messages with Color

1
Associate different blues with a feeling of security. Incorporate shades of blue into your art and design projects to give off a calming and secure vibe. While color alone can’t completely define the mood of a design or piece of art, you can use it to set an emotionally-driven stage for your project. Use blue to establish a comfortable, relatable environment for potential viewers, so these people are more inclined to engage with your work.^{[6]XResearch source}
- In some high-risk areas, blue lights are successfully used to prevent suicide attempts.
- Many stores use blue paint on the walls, as it has a serene effect on the customers.
2
Connect green hues with a sense of luck and harmony. Imbue your art, interiors, and other creative projects with a sense of luck, health, and positivity by including the color green. Choose from different green tones to convey this message, whether you’re painting a bedroom or designing the backdrop for a website. Before you decide on a final color scheme, note that green can also be attributed to jealous emotions.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Since green is associated with luck and wealth, use a shade of this color when designing a website for a financial consulting firm, or an investment agency.
3
Generate positive, fun vibes with the color yellow. Warm yellow is a great option when designing a friendly, engaging backdrop, or logo. People tend to associate brightness, happiness, and sunny imagery with the color yellow, which can make it a great option for a classroom, gym, or other interior. Since yellow is especially bright, use it sparingly as a backdrop for websites and other forms of media with a lot of text.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Yellow is a color with a lot of intensity, so it can generate a lot of strong emotions from a viewer.
4
Embrace originality and optimism with orange tones. Select this warm color to create an engaging, enthusiastic presentation. If you’re trying to bring attention to an aspect of your creative project, opt for some shade of orange to draw in the eye. Additionally, you can use this color to generate feelings of warmth and excitement.^{[9]XResearch source}
- For example, if you’re trying to start a cooking channel on YouTube, try using a shade of orange in your logo. This could help provide an energetic attitude to your channel.
- People tend to have divisive opinions about the color orange. Don’t be surprised if some people either really enjoy or really dislike its use in different designs.
5
Demonstrate passion and excitement with the color red. Use the color red to your advantage when designing a bedroom, eating area, or other intense creative project. Note that people tend to feel amplified around this color, whether they’re feeling eager and excited or passionate and angry. Opt for red in your creative projects whenever you’re trying to make a statement, or when you’re trying to appeal to an intense, serious audience.^{[10]XResearch source}
- The color red is associated with different things. While some people attribute the color to romance and love, others connect it to dangerous feelings and situations.
6
Associate calmness and intuition with pink. Add a soft, romantic attitude to your art, interior, or brand identity with a splash of pink. Note the feminine and sensual associations people have with the color pink, even if they’re connected to common stereotypes. If you’re trying to create a romantic atmosphere in your creative project, opt for pink, as opposed to passionate red or energetic yellow.^{[11]XResearch source}
- For instance, if you’re designing a website for a floral business, using a pink color scheme to cater to hopeless romantics and similar clientele.
7
Create an aura of fantasy and mystery with purple hues. Embrace a sense of royalty and intrigue by adding different shades of purple into your projects. Note the historical significance of purple, and how it’s typically associated with wealthy, royal concepts and individuals. If you’re working on a project that caters naturally to a person’s sense of imagination, a purple color scheme is a great option for you to consider.^{[12]XResearch source}
- For example, if you’re working on a piece of art with a mysterious, mystical vibe, try using different shades of purple in the backdrop, or incorporate the color throughout the design.
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