Harmonious Color Schemes; no-nonsense approach using the Color Wheel
4.5/5
()
About this ebook
This book offers instruction on the use of the Color Wheel that has been in use for many years, developed by The Color Wheel Company. The Color Wheel represents twelve colors, three primary, three secondary and six tertiary colors.
As you learn to use The Color Wheel you will see how it serves to simplify color mixing for the artist by using a controlled group of colors and creating harmony in artwork.
The front side of the Color Wheel illustrates the color mixes that result when using the primary colors. Black shades and white tints are also illustrated.
The back side of the Color Wheel illustrates a group of stacked geometric shapes representing spatial degrees of separation which, when used, will prove to create harmonious color schemes. This might include one color for a monochromatic color scheme to six colors using an expanded complementary color scheme. White is always a given paint tube to be added to your palette, but black is not necessary when you learn how to make a dark using complementary colors.
So then why are there so many paint colors out there to choose from when all you need is a few? The answer is that the manufacturers are making money from it. The more colors they make, the more colors you think you need, so the more you will buy. Manufacturers feed on this notion and in essence, it disables us from actually learning and understanding how to mix color. Knowing “What’s in your Tube” is the second half of the equation. Using pure color is about knowing what is actually in your tube of paint.
There are no magic potions for mixing color. The good news, though, is that through practice you will gain knowledge and confidence in your color mixing. The practical knowledge is the easy part; the work comes when you practice it. I frequently remind my students that there is a reason why art is often referred to as artwork....it is work!
This method is suitable for the beginner student as well as the professional artist. It can be applied to any subject or style of art including abstract, expressionism or impressionism and can be applied to all painting mediums including beyond paint such as fiber art and interior decorating. Color harmony is essential to all good art no matter the medium, subject or style.
Whether you are just beginning your art journey or have been struggling to mix color, this systematic approach will help you get on the right track. No more failed piles of color. No more random color selections. The hit or miss mixing process will become a thing of the past.
I have found that most students and artists don’t take the time to paint color charts or do the color studies before a painting. For that reason, I offer workshops on this subject. This book will serves as a reference guidebook, and teaching tool for years to come.
Color mixing can take a lifetime of exploration because of the endless combinations possible. For that I am grateful. "Happy are the painters for they shall not be bored” -Winston Churchill. I have been painting for over forty years and still, it is fun and fresh every time I return to my easel.
If you don’t already own a Color Wheel, you may want to have one to follow along. If you do, dust it off and let’s get going!
Elaine Farmer
Born into a family of musicians, Elaine began her own artistic journey at an early age. She studied art worldwide through classes and workshops with renowned artists. Landscapes have always been her love, where shapes, textures and lighting always offer an endless source of subjects and challenges.She has a deep connection to the natural world around her and enjoys taking part in translating natures’ inspirations to canvas. Her current body of work focuses on the New England landscape with emphasis on historical settings throughout the New England area. She holds the Hudson River Valley Artists in high regard for their valuable studies en plein air along with their classical academic approach to painting. She strives to remain faithful to this process when creating her own art by experiencing the mood of the landscape en plein air, and walking off the beaten path to render small drawing or painting studies, usually for use on larger studio pieces.Elaine has been a professional artist since 1985, began teaching in 1991 and continues to offers fine art classes and workshops. Through her teaching experiences her students have led her to focus on developing an easy to understand color mixing method for use by working artists, teachers and the novice painter.A national award winning artist, Elaine is an active art exhibit participant in juried shows as well as having gallery representation.She has served as a juror in a number of area art exhibits, serves on the Londonderry Arts Council, and is an active advocate of the fine arts in her community.
Related to Harmonious Color Schemes; no-nonsense approach using the Color Wheel
Related ebooks
The Designer's Guide to Color Combinations Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mastering Color: The Essentials of Color Illustrated with Oils Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Swatch This, 3000+ Color Palettes for Success: Perfect for Artists, Designers, Makers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Designer's Dictionary of Color Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Special Subjects: Basic Color Theory: An Introduction to Color for Beginning Artists Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Loosen Up Your Painting Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Mastering Color Mixing with Watercolors Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Quick & Clever Acrylics Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sketch like a Boss! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Oh My Gouache!: The beginner's guide to painting with opaque watercolour Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Understanding the Power of Color Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsColored Pencil Basics for Beginners Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Beginner's Watercolor E-Book: Start Painting Today Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/515-Minute Watercolor Masterpieces: Create Frame-Worthy Art in Just a Few Simple Steps Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Pen, Ink and Watercolor Sketching on Toned Paper: Pen, Ink and Watercolor Sketching Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Pen, Ink and Watercolor Sketching Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Fundamentals of Oil Painting: A Complete Course in Techniques, Subjects and Styles Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Watercolor: You Can Do It!: From Concept to Finished Painting Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Draw in 4! Over 100 4-Step Sketches to Boost Your Drawing Confidence Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Painting Water in Watercolour Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/57 Step Method to Abstract Painting Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Anna Mason's Watercolour World: Create Vibrant, Realistic Paintings Inspired by Nature Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How To Oil Paint Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Paint Flowers In Water Colors Step by Step Lessons Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Painting Flowers: Create Beautiful Watercolour Artworks With This Step-by-Step Guide Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Art Studio Secrets: More Than 300 Tools and Techniques to Inspire Creativity Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Different Techniques of Watercolor and how to use them in Backgrounds and Paintings: Step by Step Lessons Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Fundamentals of Drawing in Colour: A complete professional course for artists Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Visual Arts For You
Lettering Alphabets & Artwork: Inspiring Ideas & Techniques for 60 Hand-Lettering Styles Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Morpho: Anatomy for Artists Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Art Models: Life Nudes for Drawing, Painting, and Sculpting Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Art Models 10: Photos for Figure Drawing, Painting, and Sculpting Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Expressive Digital Painting in Procreate Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Anatomy for Artists: The Complete Guide to Drawing the Human Body Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Journal with Purpose Layout Ideas 101: Over 100 inspiring journal layouts plus 500 writing prompts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Draw Anything Anytime: A Beginner's Guide to Cute and Easy Doodles (Over 1,000 Illustrations) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Art Models 3: Life Nude Photos for the Visual Arts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/515-Minute Watercolor Masterpieces: Create Frame-Worthy Art in Just a Few Simple Steps Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Journal with Purpose: Over 1000 motifs, alphabets and icons to personalize your bullet or dot journal Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sharpie Art Workshop: Techniques & Ideas for Transforming Your World Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Color Creatively: Over 50 Tips and Tricks for Adult Coloring Books Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Botanical Drawing: A Step-By-Step Guide to Drawing Flowers, Vegetables, Fruit and Other Plant Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Dynamic Anatomy: The Original Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Draw Every Little Thing: Learn to Draw More Than 100 Everyday Items, From Food to Fashion Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Complete Book of Drawing: Essential Skills for Every Artist Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Daily Creativity Journal Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Anatomy for Fantasy Artists: An Essential Guide to Creating Action Figures & Fantastical Forms Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Drawing School: Fundamentals for the Beginner Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Watercolor Success in Four Steps: 150 Skill-Building Projects to Paint Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Learn to Draw: Manual Drawing - for the Absolute Beginner Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Drawing and Sketching Portraits: How to Draw Realistic Faces for Beginners Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Art Starts with a Line: A Creative and Interactive Guide to the Art of Line Drawing Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Art of Cartooning: The Complete Guide to Creating Successful Cartoons! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow To Draw Faces Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Related categories
Reviews for Harmonious Color Schemes; no-nonsense approach using the Color Wheel
25 ratings3 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Read all you can on color theory, only tons of visual information will make you GRASP the idea in a MENTAL image!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is a really great, thorough and practical overview of color theory. Highly recommend!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One of the great modern books on color theory. A difficult subject.
2 people found this helpful
Book preview
Harmonious Color Schemes; no-nonsense approach using the Color Wheel - Elaine Farmer
HARMONIOUS COLOR SCHEMES
a no-nonsense approach using the color wheel
Written and Illustrated by
Elaine Barrette Farmer
Smashwords Edition
Published on Smashwords by:
Elaine Barrette Farmer
Harmonious Color Schemes: A No-Nonsense Approach Using the Color Wheel
Text and Illustrations Copyright 2013 by Elaine Barrette Farmer
ISBN: 978-0-9899549-0-7
All rights reserved. All images in this e-book are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without written consent of the author. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
Smashwords Edition License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal use only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1 COLOR WHEEL INTRODUCTION
History of the Color Wheel and its Theory Contributors
What is Color Theory?
The Front Side of the Twelve Step Color Wheel
The Back Side of the Color Wheel
Tinting with White
Tone or Shade with Black
Chapter 2 THE TWELVE BASIC COLOR GROUPS
Color Bias
PRIMARY COLORS
Red
Yellow
Blue
SECONDARY COLORS
Orange
Green
Violet
TERTIARY COLORS
Red-Orange
Yellow-Orange
Yellow-Green
Blue-Green
Blue-Violet
Red-Violet
HIGH INTENSITY COLORS
LOW INTENSITY COLORS
Chapter 3: WHAT’S IN YOUR TUBE? THE TECHNICAL STUFF
ASTM Labeling
Alternative Names
Binders
Cadmium
Color Code (Manufacturers Inventory Code)
Color Index Name (C.I. Name)
Color Index Number (C.I. No.)
Chemical Description
Granulating/Staining (ST) (Watercolor only)
Health Labeling for the USA
Lake Pigments
Lightfastness or Permanence Rating
Manufacturers Grade of Paints
Opaque Color
Organic vs Inorganic
Semi-Transparent Color
Series Number
Tinting Strength
Translucent Color
Transparent Color
Toxicity Labeling
Identify your Colors
Create an Inventory of your Colors
Chapter 4: COLOR SCHEMES DEFINED AND ILLUSTRATED
Identify the Dominant Color
TRIAD Color Scheme
TRIAD with a different dominant Blue
TETRAD with the original BLUE
COMPLEMENTARY Color Scheme
Identify the Dominant Color of a Neutral
Change the Composition to Create Dominance
Record your Color Schemes
Summary
Chapter 5: TRIAD COLOR SCHEMES
Primary colors in a TRIAD Color Scheme
Secondary colors in a TRIAD Color Scheme
Tertiary colors in a TRIAD Color Scheme I
Tertiary colors in a TRIAD Color Scheme II
High Intensity colors in a TRIAD
Low Intensity colors in a TRIAD
Chapter 6: TETRAD COLOR SCHEMES
Square Tetrad
Rectangle Tetrad
Chapter 7: COMPLEMENTARY COLOR SCHEMES
RED/GREEN Complementary
ORANGE/BLUE Complementary
YELLOW/VIOLET Complementary
Chapter 8: SPLIT COMPLEMENTARY AND ANALOGOUS COMPLEMENTARY COLOR SCHEMES
Split Complementary
Analogous Complementary Color Schemes
Chapter 9: ANALOGOUS AND MONOCHROMATIC COLOR SCHEMES
Analogous Color Scheme
Monochromatic Color Scheme
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CONNECT WITH ELAINE
CONTRIBUTORS
INTRODUCTION
Overview
This book offers instruction on the use of the Color Wheel that has been in use for many years, developed by The Color Wheel Company. The Color Wheel represents twelve colors, three primary, three secondary and six tertiary colors.
As you learn to use The Color Wheel you will see how it serves to simplify color mixing for the artist by using a controlled group of colors and creating harmony in artwork.
The front side of the Color Wheel illustrates the color mixes that result when using the primary colors. Black shades and white tints are also illustrated.
The back side of the Color Wheel illustrates a group of stacked geometric shapes representing spatial degrees of separation which, when used, will prove to create harmonious color palettes.
Most students and artists are not inclined to spend precious creative time studying color theory in depth although I do recommend it. I believe that using this tool is the easiest way to simplifying color mixing and achieve harmony in your paintings simply and accurately. The Color Wheel is readily available in local art supply stores and online; you may already own one.
The Knowledge you will Gain
You will learn about the twelve basic colors on The Color Wheel, the color bias for each, and their history as well as physical and emotional interpretations. You will also learn how to select color schemes based on the dominant color and choose a color scheme of limited colors. The essence of this approach is to Simplify, simplify, simplify!
—Henry David Thoreau (Where I Lived and What I Lived For
Walden).
The Misnomer
Students come to me frustrated by not being able to get the right pre-mixed colors. I began to understand that their frustration came from the lack of knowledge regarding what colors to choose before they start a painting. In addition, they were trying to color match
all the colors they saw in their reference photos and felt they needed a tube color for each of those colors in the reference.
Too Many Colors
While living in England for three years, I stepped into a local art supply shop to purchase some supplies and I observed that the artist supplies available were fewer than that in our American counterparts. Then, on a painting trip near Siena, Italy, on visiting an art supply shop I again found that there were fewer artist supplies, similar to England. Like so many other products in our country today, we have so many choices, too many sometimes. So, I began wondering why we have so many different artists’ colors available on the market. That led to paying attention to the ingredients in tube colors which led me to the research for the section What’s in your Tube?
An aspect to mixing accurate colors that is seldom addressed.
No Perfect Color, No Magic Potions
There are no perfect tube colors that match the blue of the sky. It doesn’t come from a pre-mixed tube called Perfect Blue Sky or some other made up name by the manufacturers. The question that begs asking then is "Why are there so many paint colors out there to choose from? The answer is simple. It all comes down to money making for manufacturers. The more colors they make, the more colors you think you need, so the more you will buy. Manufacturers feed on the idea that we need to have all those beautiful colors to create our works of art. In essence, it disables us from actually learning and understanding how to mix color. Color mixing is not difficult when you use a controlled palette with just a few pure colors. Knowing
What’s in your Tube" is the second half of the equation. In addition to using pure colors, I will review the use of a wider range of colors that I call convenience colors. High key and neutral colors can also be added. My rule of thumb is to first understand color mixing using a controlled palette. Then you can add the convenience colors later if you like. The fact remains that with just 12 pure colors in your paint box, you have all the colors you need.
I believe