Color Theory for Artists

As an artist working with pigments, color theory is essential to producing color harmony in your paintings. Understanding your choices for color wheels, color schemes, and pigment selection will make each painting an enjoyable creative process.

Color Wheels

Sir Isaac Newton created the first circular diagram logically ilustrating color relationships in 1666. But since then, others have been developed. Here are two popular ones to start with.

Traditional Color Wheel

Munsell Color Wheel

Understanding Pigments

Pigment selection is key to controling intensity. Each tube of paint will have its pigment(s) listed. Single pigments will allow you more control of your color mixing.

Pigment Database

Complementary Color Palette

The key to mixing neutrals, or to decreasing the intensity of a color, is to use its complement. A very easy way to learn to mix neutrals is to set up your palette with complementary colors across from each other. You will quickly be able to remember them by using your color memory.

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