COLOR THEORY FINE ART I

COLOR WHEEL A tool used by artists to help them create unique colors, and decide on which colors to use when adding color to a work of art. 12 colors on the standard color wheel

PRIMARY COLORS Can not be created- must be found in nature, or come from the tube. Essential for creating other colors.

SECONDARY COLORS Created by mixing two Primary colors.

INTERMEDIATE OR TERTIARY COLORS Colors created by mixing a Primary and Secondary color together.

COMPLEMENTARY COLORS Lie opposite one another on the wheel, and make each other POP!

COMPLIMENTARY COLORS Color theory is very important in the marketing world- you need to grab someone’s attention, and fast!

NEUTRAL COLORS Neutrals colors do not occur on the color wheel. They carry no real “mood”. How do you make a neutral?

CREATING NEUTRALS Mixing complementary colors together will give you a neutral.

MONOCHROMATIC COLORS Different shades and tints of one color.

TINTS AND SHADES

ANALOGOUS COLORS 3-5 colors that lie next to one another on the color wheel.

YOUR COLOR WHEEL Must be completed before you begin your next project. Must be completed using only Blue, Red and Yellow paint. Must have 12 parts (3 wedges in each corner)

GUIDELINES FOR USING PAINT LESS IS MORE Once the paint is out of the tube, it cannot go back in. Take less than you think you will need! ONE COLOR AT A TIME Only work with one section of your wheel with one color at a time. WORK EFFICIENTLY Acrylic paint dries quickly. Mixing the same color can be difficult. Focus and work efficiently, but don’t be sloppy LET IT DRY If you make a mistake, let it dry, you can always paint OVER it.

HOW TO CLEAN UP PAPER TOWEL Use paper towel to wipe the excess paint off your brush and your palette. MASSAGE BRUSHES Use your fingers to work paint out of the bristles under the running water. DISH RACK Palettes should be standing in the dish rack. Water cups should be standing in the dish rack. Brushes should be bristle-up in the dish rack.

What we’re NOT doing: Leaving brushes in the sink. Dragging brushes on the bottom of the sink. Flinging brushes under the water. Leaving paint on the tables. Leaving a mess for someone else to clean. Waiting until the very last minute to start cleaning up – I will not write passes. Telling me that this is the janitor’s job.

CLEAN UP GRADE Cleaning up your materials properly is basic STUDIO MAINTENANCE. A STUDIO is a shared space where artists work. If one person slacks off, you all lose points. -5 for every dirty brush/table you leave behind.