How To Use Color Succesfuly

 Colorful Palettes

"Abstract Floral Fantasy Panoramic"  Prints

Choosing colors well can be a challenge. When I first began teaching illustration and design, I noticed that most of my students were either avoiding color altogether or using clashing colors. I thought it would be a great idea to teach a color theory class, but I was afraid that I would never live up to my color theory teacher Judith Crook.  She was one of the top color theorists in the country. Fortunately, I read a great quote from the color theorist Josef Albers which put my mind at ease, "All you have to know to teach, is more than your students." 

I will be blogging about different color pallets and why they work. In the painting "Abstract Floral Fantasy Panoramic" above, I used a brightly colored warm pallet that is very popular currently. It can be challenging to use bright colors as they can clash if not chosen well.

In order to make the colors more cohesive, each color of paint has some yellow and white mixed into it. This gives all of the colors a warm tone, as if sunlight was shinning on them. Instead of clashing, the colors look like they belong together in the same picture.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you visit again for more examples of how to use color successfully.

Recommended books on Color:

The Elements of Color: A Treatise on the Color System of Johannes Itten Based on His Book the Art of Color 

Interaction of Color by Josef Albers