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USING COLOR

Angels

Is there any aspect of our lives that is not enhanced by using color? Look around you. We admire and enjoy its presence in the outdoors and use it to create a harmonious environment indoors. We use it to make a statement about ourselves in the things that we own, as well as in our physical appearance.

It is well documented that color evokes an emotional response. Some colors, such as shades of blue, have a calming effect, while red and yellow tend to excite. Advertisers spend large amounts of time and money researching the effects on the human psyche. Using color in the creation of products, as well as in packaging and commercials, can influence our buying habits.

As for me, I just love using color! Every color has something to recommend it. Think of rich chocolate brown, soft dove grey and cool mint green. Or how about vibrant crimson red, flashy peacock blue and bright sunny yellow. I could go on!

Abstract Art In fact, it's nearly impossible to make a list of every color there ever was, because the names keep changing! Consider Crayola, the giant among crayon-makers. Over the years, in addition to adding many new colors to their line-up, they have retired others and updated old stand-bys with new names. If you have ever wondered what happened to some of your childhood favorites, you can visit their website, at http://www.crayola.com/colorcensus/history/chronology.cfm. (Link will open a new window.)

There have been many scientific discoveries that add to our understanding of color. If you wish to delve into the actual nature of color or how we (and other living creatures) perceive it, a quick web search using the word "color" will deliver any number of sites. However, for the purpose of using color to - well, color, the following information will suffice!

Break out the BIG box of crayons and keep them handy as you read the following sections. Color along to see for yourself how it works.

Understanding the Basics

PRIMARY COLORS

The first step in using color is understanding the basics.

"Primary" means "first". There are only 3 colors which are recognized as Primary Colors. These colors stand alone. They cannot be made by mixing any other colors. And they are the colors from which all other colors can be made! They are: RED, YELLOW and BLUE.

SECONDARY COLORS

"Secondary" means "second". Secondary Colors are made by mixing 2 Primary Colors. They are: ORANGE, GREEN, and VIOLET. The Primary colors, Yellow and Red, make Orange. Blue and Yellow make Green. Blue and Red make Violet.

TERTIARY COLORS

"Tertiary" means "third". Tertiary Colors are made from mixing a Primary Color with one of its Secondary Colors. They are: ORANGE-YELLOW, RED-ORANGE, RED-VIOLET, VIOLET-BLUE, BLUE-GREEN and YELLOW-GREEN. These colors are often displayed on a "Color Wheel", as shown below.

COLOR WHEEL

A Color Wheel is a very useful artist's tool for demonstrating the relationships between the colors.

Look at the Color Wheel above. The Secondary Colors are situated between the 2 Primary Colors that made them. The Tertiary Colors are between the Primary Color and Secondary Color that made them. Take a moment to see how this is.

COMPLIMENTARY COLORS
Another way in which a Color Wheel can be used is to find colors that compliment each other. In fact, they are called Complimentary Colors! These colors are situated directly opposite of each other. For example, Yellow and Violet are Complimentary Colors. When you put these colors side by side, both colors seem to pop out. Using color in this way can create some very striking effects!

But What About the Other Colors?
Don't worry, I haven't forgotten all of those other wonderful colors, such as Browns, Greys, Pastels and all the rest!

First of all, there are a multitude of ways to mix the Primary Colors with their Secondary and Tertiary Colors. For example, if Blue-Violet has a greater ratio of Blue to Red, the result is a deeper color of Purple. More Red, on the other hand, would result in a color sometimes known as Magenta. An expanded Color Wheel will display a greater variety of these.

Varying amounts of White added to any color gives lighter hues of that same color. Add White to Red to get Pink. White added to Orange results in a light Peach.

Mixing Complimentary Colors results in tones of Grey to Black. Add more Red to that and you will see shades of Brown appear. Adding Greys and Browns to other colors produces darker and more complex colors.

All in all, a Color Wheel is a very useful tool. I highly recommend purchasing one and keeping it handy. Most art stores carry them.

Practice Using Color

Now that you know your Color Basics, have fun using color on my Free Coloring Pages! I suggest trying your knowledge of Complimentary Colors on the Pop Art, Abstract and Geometric Coloring Pages.

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