This post is revised from one of my most popular blog posts, one where I discuss color theory in terms of using mica pigments with polymer clay. http://zoeowyn.blogspot.com/2009/05/color-theory-with-mica-pigment-powders.html
I think its time to revisit the concept of color theory but this time, lets look at how it works with coloring-in.
Color theory is the study of mixing color and the visual impact of certain color combinations. There are many aspects to be taken into consideration when studying color. The form of the color —opaque pigment, translucent inks, transparent light—impact how colors interact and mix.
When coloring I use colored pencils, eye-shadows, markers, crayons, these are all solid and reflect light; therefore they are discussed in terms of opaque pigments.
Lets start by looking at the color wheel:
There are three primary colors when dealing with opaque pigments: red, yellow, and blue. These are base, or pure colors. These colors, or hues, cannot be achieved through mixing.
Hue is the name of a color (red, purple). It’s easy to remember: Hue and Hugh are both names. Hue is a color’s name, just as Hugh is a man’s name.
The three primary hues are the basis of the color wheel. Think of a rainbow in a circle, showing the range of hues that can be created when the primary colors are mixed. A basic color wheel shows primary and secondary hues.
Secondary colors are achieved by mixing two primary colors.
Yellow+ red= orange
Red+ blue=violet
Blue+yellow=green
Tertiary, or intermediate, hues are the next level of color blends.
Green+blue=aquamarine
Orange+red= Orange-red
and so on…
Analogous colors are hues that are next to each other along one side of the color wheel. Think of the colors as being in “rainbow order.”
The analogous colors of greens, blues, and purples were used to color this mosaic octopus image
Complementary colors are in opposite positions on a color wheel.
Blue-orange
Yellow-violet
Red-green
The complementary colors of pink and teal were used to color this floral and octopus image. Only two colors were used, the variety of color was achieved utilizing tints and shades-discussed in next week’s color theory post.
Split complementary hues are colors that are in opposite position on a color wheel, with one of the colors of the pair, shifted to the left or right
blue – yellow – orange-red
Blue, yellow, and orange-red are the three split complementary colors used to color in this image.
Coloring page examples from When Octopods Dream and Celestial Love Song