Color Wheel Practice

Color Wheel Chart

The color wheel is an important tool in art. It has many purposes but the foremost is to illustrate relationships between colors. Color wheels vary in complexity; the most basic show as little as 12 colors whereas the more complex display actual color sets. Regardless, the color wheel serves as a foundation because students must master color principles in order to understand the role color plays in artwork.

Depending on what level you are at, you may already know that when you mix certain colors (i.e. yellow and red) you create another color (i.e. orange). The same concept works for the remaining colors; however, you may not be aware of all the color sets and effects. For instance, what are cool and warm colors, and how do these colors sets affect the viewer? Learning these sets is a skill that takes time to master, but is important for art students to learn and appreciate.

For this assignment, you will need to look at the websites and use them as references. These websites provide visuals on color wheels and list many of the color concepts. Once you feel competent you will then need to develop a color wheel chart of your own. This chart MUST contain the 12 basic colors, and also show three of the color sets (how you show the color sets is up to you). The size is also unrestricted; however, it must be large enough to use as a reference for further projects. There is an empty circle below to start with. Keep in mind that you will add to this color wheel! It will serve as your reference for the duration of this course.

Prior to creating the color wheel chart, please answer the questions below. This will help both you, and myself, determine whether you understand the basic color concepts.

Websites to visit:

http://www.colormatters.com/colortheory.html

http://emptyeasel.com/2007/03/16/using-the-color-wheel-color-theory-tips-for-artists-and-painters/

Part I

1. List the 12 basic colors:

2. What are the primary and secondary color sets?

3. What are the warm and cool colors?

4. What are the complimentary, monochromatic, and tertiary color sets?

Part II

Now it is time to create a color wheel chart of your own! It is best to begin with the standard circular shape; however, feel free to extend beyond this circle and work on a separate sheet if you need to. The circle is merely a guideline. Remember, for this assignment you need to list the 12 basic colors along with a minimum of 3 color sets. You will need to think “outside the box” as to how you show this. Be creative!

Helpful Hint: It will probably benefit you to divide the color wheel into 12 equal spaces

(Your Name)’s Color Wheel Chart

Follow-up Activity: Cut and paste your color wheel chart into your artist sketchbooks. As the course continues, there will be times to add additional color sets and information to your chart. Again, this color wheel is your reference for the duration of the semester so make sure you HOLD ON TO IT!