Color Theory Tutoring List

Tertiary Colors
Every Other Color Around the Color Wheel


A tertiary color is created by mixing equal parts of a primary and secondary color. On the color wheel, tertiary colors are positioned between primary and secondary colors.

Combinations of the six tertiary colors include:
• Yellow-green, Yellow-orange,
• Blue-green, Blue-purple,
• Red-purple, Red-orange,

Tertiary colors may be complemented by utilizing the Tertiary color opposite of the dominant color on the color wheel. It is a good practice to use the complementary Tertiary color sparingly to accent and set the contrast for the principal Tertiary color.

Tertiary colors play a critical role in color theory in visual art and design.
To establish a tertiary color, mix a principal primary color (blue, red, or yellow) plus a secondary color (purple, green, or orange). This process results in distinctive hues that encompass the color wheel.

Tertiary colors are an essential model in art color theory and schemes. It provides a greater insight into how colors work together and mix to create new hues. These hues are the colors that result from mixing a secondary color and a primary color which can be either purple, orange, or green. As a result of this combination, unique color range, depth, and variety automatically add to the artwork.
For instance, blending orange with red produces reddish-orange, and mixing blue with green produces bluish-green. These tertiary colors live positioned between their maternal

primary and secondary hues around the color wheel. This provides a more diverse and harmonious color palette.

The six-color palette, AKA tertiary colors, is essential for artists who wish to create greater dynamic and interesting pieces. They can add complexity, depth, and finesse, generate harmonious color themes, prompt heightened emotions, and enhance the look of realism in art. By using tertiary colors, artists can achieve an intense, more layered appearance in their work, it becomes more visually absorbing and emotionally resonant.

Comprehending tertiary colors allows for more sophisticated palettes concerning color theory. This is crucial in creating highly appealing, balanced artwork with contrast, harmony, and striking interest.

Square Tetrad Colors
Four Colors, Separated by Two


A Square color scheme contains four colors spaced evenly around the color wheel with two colors separating them. The Square color scheme consists of two complementary color pairs. This plot of color creates a well-adjusted, and visually interesting palette.

The square color scheme, also known as the tetradic color scheme, is a popular choice among designers for creating visually appealing designs. It involves selecting four colors that are two colors apart from each other on the color wheel, forming a square shape when connected. This arrangement offers a prominent level of contrast and balance, allowing for a wide range of vibrant color combinations and drawing/painting options.

In creating a square color scheme, start with a base color and identify other colors that set three colors from the base around the color wheel, which results in two complementary pairs. Used the square color scheme in countless artistic design applications, from graphic design, and fine artwork, to interior decorating. It establishes stability and a functional foundation for creating vigorous and harmonious compositions.

Square color schemes are very versatile. Here is a usage example, if red is chosen as the principal hue, the opposite or paired (the complementary color) colors would be blue-violet, green, and yellow-orange. Use the supporting colors in different proportions to create a balanced composition with one color being the main amount, another as the minor color, and the remaining two as accent hues.

Rectangle Tetradic Colors
The Rectangle Colors

The Rectangle Tetradic color scheme is the two main tetradic schemes. A square and a rectangle shape are the two main tetradic schemes.
• Four colors of two complementary pairs make up the rectangle tetradic scheme.
• The Square Tetradic color schemes utilize four colors equally spaced around the color wheel.

This color plot is known for its robust and radiant look, with strong visual contrast, creating a well-balanced and harmonious palette.
As in any color scheme, for maximum vibrant color contrast and harmony choose one color as the dominant and emphasize the work with the others in the scheme.

The rule to create a rectangle tetradic color scheme is one can start with a base color and then move right-circular at 90 degrees around the wheel to locate the second color, continue moving 90 degrees more towards the right to find the third color, and then move once more t6o the right 90 degrees to find the fourth color. This coloring method results in a palette that offers a rich arrangement of alternative color divisions.

For example, let us start with green as the base color, the other colors are red, violet, and yellow, which form a “Tetrad.” This combination creates a well-balanced palette for use in various visual art projects. It opens a world of creative possibilities for picking tones, tints, and shades.

Therefore, when applying a rectangle tetradic color scheme, it is critical to retain balance and harmony. One color must be influential while the others play supporting roles in forming complementary, stability, and color contrast. This practice will ensure that the composition of the painting results in a pleasing dynamic color theme.

Triadic Colors
Three Evenly Spaced Colors

A Triadic color scheme is the application of a combination of three evenly spaced colors around the color wheel with three colors separating them. Used for generating a stable and visually appealing creation.

In this coloring, one plays the major color, while the other two colors function as acute accents and remain dependent on the dominant color. Triadic color combinations are a popular choice for creating vibrant and dynamic designs. The solution to an effective triadic color scheme is to select a dominant color that sets the tone for the scheme. Now then pair it with two evenly spaced colors around the color wheel. This grouping establishes a balanced and visually appealing structure while delivering contrast and coordination.

Split-Complementary Colors
One Main Color & Two Adjacent… Complement

Split complementary colors are a variation of the complementary color scheme, which typically includes two colors across from each other on the color wheel. However, in a split-complementary color scheme, it applies a base color with the two colors adjacent to its complement on the color wheel. This establishes a vigorous and balanced palette that artists utilize in various artistic applications.

The method of generating a split-complementary color scheme involves selecting a base color and then selecting two colors that are adjacent to the complement of that base main color. For example, if the base color is red, the complement is green, and the adjacent colors are blue-green and yellow-green.

A Single Color Theme

A Monochromatic color scheme refers to the word mono means one, and chroma identifies color, the definition of monochromatic hue consists of an independent (stand-alone) single color. Monochromatic colors consist of all the variants of their colors tints, tones, and shades of a single hue.

Monochromatic color palettes have become extremely popular in the visual arts and design industry. In such artwork, one will start by picking one color and applying variants of it. Therefore, a designer who has decided to use such a palette should become well-versed with the terms base, (the hue/color) shade, tint, and tone used in creating a monochromatic color scheme. The variants of the colors
• Base: Your base is the initial point of your monochromatic color scheme. All the other variations of colors used will derived from this single base.
• Shade: These will be blacker derivatives of your base hue. Shades occur by adding a pure black hue to make your base darker.
• Tint: A tint is a lighter (whiter) derivative of your base color and remains obtained through the addition of white. The whiter, the less base color saturation.
• Tone: Tones appear by adding grey. Grey is a combination of incorporating a black and white mixture.

Complementary Colors

Harmonizing colors (known as the balancing color), are complementary colors. These two colors lives located opposite each other on the color wheel. When placed next to each other, the contrast makes each color appear more radiant than it does when standing alone. They contrast and balance one another. The three basic “primary” complementary color sets include:

• Red opposite Green
• Blue opposite Orange
• Yellow opposite Purple

The Secondary Colors

Secondary colors occur by mixing equal parts of two primary colors. When observing the color wheel, you can see the secondary colors lie between the primary ones.
Secondary Colors are Green, Orange, and Purple
The three secondary colors arise when mixing two primary colors.
• To create Green, mix a combination of yellow and blue.
• To create Orange, mix a combination of yellow and red.
• To create Purple, mix a combination of blue and red.

The Artist Color Wheel

Let us face the facts when observing any form of art, color imparts essential elements to the piece. No matter what the art it may be or what type of category it falls under color, it inserts a combination of emotions, feelings, and mood, helps convey meaning, vibrancy, dullness, and temperature (which can set the tone of Winter, Spring, Summer, or Autumn). It permits the artist to express and invoke his/her artistic style.

Color Theory Hue
The Primary Colors
Color theory is crucial in artwork, providing the foundational guidelines for understanding how we perceive and utilize color. It explores the interactions, including how they blend, contrast, and complement one another. Eventually, color schemes convey meaning to a piece. Additionally, color theory helps establish the temperature within a composition, the overall mood, and the emotion of the piece. By mastering these principles, artists can enhance their work and effectively communicate their vision.