| Much research and experimentation has been done on | | | | like blue-violet or blue green. You could also vary the |
| color and how it can effect a persons mood and | | | | intensity and values as well. It can be difficult to create |
| behavior. Certain colors can calm a person, while | | | | balance with this color scheme. To avoid ruining |
| others can stimulate excitement or cheerfulness. That | | | | harmony, choose one dominant color and use the |
| being said, you may want to think carefully on the type | | | | complimentary color as accents. For instance in a |
| of color scheme you choose for your next painting. | | | | yellow and violet complementary color scheme, you |
| This article will talk about five different color schemes | | | | could make the main subject and background violets |
| you can use to plan out your next painting. The tips in | | | | and accent remaining parts of the painting in yellows. |
| this article can be applied to any painting medium. | | | | TRIADIC COLOR SCHEME |
| Painting is all about harmony. Harmony in a painting is | | | | The triadic color scheme uses three colors that are |
| when the arrangement of colors and objects are | | | | evenly spaced or equidistant from one another on the |
| pleasing to the viewers eyes. As a painter you can | | | | color wheel. This scheme produces strong contrast |
| either put too much into a painting or not enough. If | | | | but still retains harmony. This color combination is more |
| your painting is too chaotic you may scare the viewer | | | | challenging for beginners. You can get carried away |
| away. On the other hand, if your painting lacks | | | | by making all three colors too intense thereby |
| something, it may be perceived as boring, and your | | | | destroying the balance in your painting. You should |
| viewer will not be engaged, so it's important to have | | | | allow one color to dominate and use the two other |
| balance in your color arrangements. | | | | colors to accent the rest of the painting. |
| ANALOGOUS COLOR SCHEME | | | | MONOCHROMATIC COLOR SCHEME |
| This color scheme uses colors that are next to one | | | | This color scheme is probably the easiest for |
| another on the color wheel. With an analogous color | | | | beginners to work with. The monochromatic color |
| scheme, one color is usually the dominant one, while | | | | scheme uses variations in value and intensity of only |
| the others serve as an accent to the dominant color. | | | | one color. Beginners like this color scheme because |
| You are limited in colors when using this scheme but | | | | they only need to create a value plan using one color, |
| that does not mean your paintings have to be boring. | | | | which makes things a lot easier. Your painting will not |
| Just vary the intensity (how dull or bright a color is) and | | | | be as exciting as other schemes that utilize more than |
| value (how light or dark a color is) to make your | | | | one color, but your painting will produce a peaceful and |
| painting more interesting and pleasing to the eye. An | | | | soothing effect. |
| example of three colors next to each other on the | | | | SPLIT COMPLEMENTARY COLOR SCHEME |
| color wheel, that can be used in an analogous color | | | | The split-complimentary color scheme uses three |
| scheme are orange, yellow and yellow-orange. Use | | | | colors and is a twist on the complimentary color |
| only a few different colors with the analogous color | | | | scheme. Instead of using the colors compliment, you |
| scheme. If you add too many, you may destroy the | | | | will use the two colors adjacent to its compliment on |
| harmony in your painting. | | | | the color wheel. For instance, Red, Yellow-Green and |
| COMPLEMENTARY COLOR SCHEME | | | | Blue-Green could be a split complimentary color |
| The complimentary color scheme is a good choice if | | | | scheme. |
| you want strong contrast in your painting. | | | | Don't let color theory intimidate or discourage you. |
| Complimentary colors are colors that are opposite | | | | Working with color in your paintings takes some getting |
| each other on the color wheel. Examples of | | | | used to. With time and practice you will begin to |
| complementary color schemes are reds with greens, | | | | develop the eye of a good painter. A great way to |
| oranges with blues and violets with yellows. You | | | | learn more about the use of color in paintings is to |
| shouldn't feel limited when using this color scheme. For | | | | view the art of experienced painters. Make some |
| instance, instead of using plain orange, you could use | | | | plans to head out to a museum or visit an online |
| colors on either side like red-orange and yellow orange. | | | | gallery. God Bless and Happy painting! |
| Instead of using plain blue, you could use combinations | | | | |