Welcome to our site!
We hope you find the information on Many Colors that you are looking for.
Check out the following products on eBay. It has an enormous inventory of just about anything you could want!
 |
 Wooden Spinner in many colors $0.75 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 3:34:28 PDT |
 CUSTOM VINYL DECALS LETTERING BUMPER STICKERS GRAPHICS MANY COLOR CHOICES $0.99 End Date: Wednesday Jun-20-2012 0:17:51 PDT Buy It Now for only: $0.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 PENDLETON 15 WIDE FELT BINDING MANY COLORS $1.00 End Date: Monday Jun-4-2012 13:11:35 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 PUNISHER DECAL 1 PERFECT FOR YOUR GUN RIFLE MANY COLORS TO CHOSE FROM U PICK $1.00 End Date: Monday Jun-18-2012 8:50:08 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 womens thong many colors to choose from NWT $0.01 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 13:30:24 PDT |
 womens thong many colors to choose from NWT $0.01 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 13:46:19 PDT |
 womens thong many colors to choose from NWT $0.01 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 13:46:42 PDT |
 womens thong many colors to choose from NWT $0.01 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 13:49:47 PDT |
 womens thong many colors to choose from NWT $0.01 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 14:06:58 PDT |
 womens playboy thong many colors to choose from NWT $0.01 (1 Bid) End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 14:21:59 PDT |
 womens playboy thong many colors to choose from NWT $0.01 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 14:22:20 PDT |
 womens playboy thong many colors to choose from NWT $0.01 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 14:23:52 PDT |
 womens playboy thong many colors to choose from NWT $0.01 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 14:24:27 PDT |
 womens playboy thong many colors to choose from NWT $0.01 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 14:25:01 PDT |
 womens playboy thong many colors to choose from NWT $0.01 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 14:25:35 PDT |
 Batman Logo Viny Decal Many Colors Sizes $0.99 End Date: Monday Jun-4-2012 16:39:51 PDT Buy It Now for only: $0.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 SMALL HAYABUSA DECAL 2 5 x 2 MANY COLORS TO CHOOSE FROM GREAT SIZE SEE PICS $1.50 End Date: Sunday Jun-10-2012 17:33:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.50 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Christian Cross of Many Colors Postcard Old Vintage Card View Standard Souvenir $0.60 End Date: Sunday May-27-2012 9:59:33 PDT |
 1 Glass numbers Symbols cut to order many colors $1.39 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 9:29:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.39 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Christian Fish Vinyl Decal many Size Color Options $0.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 10:20:30 PDT Buy It Now for only: $0.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 3 Girly Punisher Skull w Hair Bow decal 99 cents Many Colors or Chrome $0.99 End Date: Friday Jun-1-2012 13:29:37 PDT Buy It Now for only: $0.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Pot Leaf Weed Weeds Decal Many Color Size Options 420 $0.99 End Date: Thursday Jun-21-2012 11:27:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: $0.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 TRANSFORMER DECAL STICKER MANY COLORS SIZES TO CHOOSE FROM TRANSFORMERS $1.75 End Date: Sunday Jun-10-2012 14:25:11 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.75 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 TRANSFORMER DECAL STICKER MANY COLORS SIZES TO CHOOSE FROM TRANSFORMERS $1.75 End Date: Sunday Jun-10-2012 14:35:37 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.75 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Celtic or Circled Cross Decal Many Colors Sizes $1.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-13-2012 10:42:53 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Handicap Decal Window Sticker Many Sizes and Colors $0.99 End Date: Saturday Jun-9-2012 14:34:38 PDT Buy It Now for only: $0.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Browning vinyl decal sticker for walls or windows 3x8 many colors $1.00 (2 Bids) End Date: Thursday May-24-2012 11:32:40 PDT |
 Hello Kitty vinyl decal sticker 4x5 head only many colors $1.00 End Date: Thursday May-24-2012 11:40:35 PDT Buy It Now for only: $4.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
 2 Glass Numbers or symbols cut to order many colors $1.75 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 9:21:50 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.75 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 My Little Book About Josephs Coat of Many Colors $0.50 End Date: Sunday May-27-2012 12:19:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
 HAYABUSA KANJI MOTORCYCLE DECAL 45 x 4 MANY COLORS TO CHOOSE FROM SEE PICS $2.00 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 10:31:48 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 CUSTOM DICE VINYL DECALS ANY SIZE ONE OR TWO COLORS MANY COLORS TO CHOOSE FROM $2.00 End Date: Sunday Jun-10-2012 16:46:02 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Christian or Medical Cross Decal Many Colors Sizes $1.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-13-2012 9:56:25 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Egyptian or Coptic Ankh Decal Many Colors Sizes $1.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-13-2012 11:18:26 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 CUSTOM PAW PRINT VINYL DECALS ANY SIZE MANY COLOR CHOICES $2.00 End Date: Thursday Jun-14-2012 18:11:50 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Our Lady of Guadalupe VINYL DECALS ANY SIZE Choose one or two of Many Colors $2.00 End Date: Friday Jun-15-2012 18:10:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 30 Cap Diploma Graduation Lollipop Wrappers Many Colors $2.00 End Date: Sunday Jun-17-2012 17:18:09 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 30 Cap Diploma Graduation Candy Wrapper Favors Many Colors $2.00 End Date: Sunday Jun-17-2012 17:18:10 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 NO SOLICITING SIGN DECAL WINDOW LETTERING MANY COLORS $1.03 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 10:13:19 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.03 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Crochet headbands MANY COLORS TO CHOOSE FROM $2.20 End Date: Tuesday Jun-5-2012 17:55:09 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.20 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Girls 275 NWOT Hair Bows Alligator Clip Many Colors Available 100 each $1.00 End Date: Sunday May-27-2012 16:45:29 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Star Trek Command Logo Viny Decal Many Colors Sizes $1.00 End Date: Monday Jun-4-2012 11:30:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Superman Logo Viny Decal Many Colors Sizes $1.00 End Date: Monday Jun-4-2012 15:46:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 LOLLIPOP OF MANY COLORS IRON ON APPLIQUE $2.34 End Date: Monday Jun-18-2012 23:10:34 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.34 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 14g 316L 5mm Acrylic Ball End Labret Stud Many Colors 8mm or 10mm Length $2.49 End Date: Thursday May-24-2012 22:47:38 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.49 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Old color postcard Many Happy Returns of the Day $1.99 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 14:27:57 PDT |
 NEW 4 Daisy on Alligator Clip Only 99 Many Colors $0.99 End Date: Friday Jun-8-2012 13:16:36 PDT Buy It Now for only: $0.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 5 Batik Quilting Squares Pretty Colors Order as many as you need $0.99 End Date: Saturday Jun-16-2012 9:48:35 PDT Buy It Now for only: $0.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Beautiful Color Cubic Zirconia Fashion Ring Silver Plated Many Sizes NEW Clear $2.49 End Date: Wednesday Jun-20-2012 5:09:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.49 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Color Cubic Zirconia Fashion Ring Silver Plated Many Sizes Light Dark Purple $2.49 End Date: Wednesday Jun-20-2012 7:17:41 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.49 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Color Cubic Zirconia Fashion Ring Silver Plated Many Sizes Light Dark Blue Bl $2.49 End Date: Wednesday Jun-20-2012 7:30:32 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.49 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Color Cubic Zirconia Fashion Ring Silver Plated NEW Many Sizes 6 Color Choices $2.49 End Date: Wednesday Jun-20-2012 7:49:29 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.49 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 EAR PLUGS EXPRESS POD PLUGS IN MANY DIFFERENT COLORS $2.50 End Date: Thursday Jun-7-2012 14:52:33 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.50 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 New York Yankees Helmet NY logo vinyl decal sticker 2 many colors $1.50 End Date: Tuesday Jun-12-2012 21:31:28 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.50 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 QUILT BLOCKS Scrappy Log Cabins in MANY colors 10sq $1.00 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 13:26:28 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 STRINGED INTSTRUMENT ADJUSTABLE RING WITH BLING COMES IN MANY COLORS CELLO BASS $0.99 End Date: Friday Jun-8-2012 20:31:37 PDT Buy It Now for only: $0.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Thundercats Logo Vinyl Decal Many Sizes and Colors $1.99 End Date: Friday May-25-2012 13:14:59 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 MOPAR logo text Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Jeep decal many Size color Options $1.99 End Date: Thursday Jun-7-2012 14:52:37 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 15 Crochet Headband MANY COLORS Great for babys $0.99 End Date: Wednesday Jun-20-2012 19:36:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: $0.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 So cute handmade mini cheerleading pom poms for shoes in many colors $1.75 End Date: Sunday Jun-3-2012 19:42:17 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.75 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Star Wars Rebel Alliance Logo Decal Many Colors Sizes $2.00 End Date: Monday Jun-4-2012 14:04:08 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 HOONIGAN STICKER SET OF 2 DECAL JDM ILLEST KEN BLOCK SHOCKER DRIFT MANY COLORS $2.79 End Date: Sunday Jun-3-2012 7:36:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.79 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Infant toddler girls gerber daisy flower rhinestone hairclip MANY COLORS $1.50 End Date: Thursday Jun-14-2012 23:24:06 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.50 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 3 inch nylon tassels MANY COLORS add to your project $0.99 End Date: Saturday Jun-9-2012 8:22:27 PDT Buy It Now for only: $0.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Silk Flower with Crystal Center Crochet Headbands Many Colors to Choose $1.25 End Date: Sunday Jun-17-2012 15:21:29 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.25 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 NEW water crystals wedding party centerpieces many shapes colors AQUAGEMS $2.87 End Date: Friday May-25-2012 9:12:42 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.87 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 water beads crystal soil many sizes colors free shipping usa hydro aqua gel $2.87 End Date: Sunday May-27-2012 5:16:25 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.87 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 NEW water crystals wedding party centerpieces many shapes colors FROM 319 $2.87 End Date: Monday Jun-11-2012 5:57:54 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.87 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1XUSA FAST SHIP NEWRIDE SHOES LACES BOOT UNISEX SUPPER LONG BRAND NEW MANY COLOR $2.89 End Date: Wednesday Jun-20-2012 11:29:36 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.89 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 14g Maternity Belly Button Rings Many colors available $2.00 End Date: Friday Jun-8-2012 17:35:38 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Almay Lasting Finish Lipcolor Lip Stick Many Colors $0.99 End Date: Monday Jun-4-2012 10:45:47 PDT Buy It Now for only: $0.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1 Pair Flat Shoelaces 54 inch Many Colors to Choose Shoe Strings $0.99 End Date: Friday Jun-15-2012 10:47:23 PDT Buy It Now for only: $0.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1 Pair Flat Shoelaces 45 inch Many Colors to Choose Shoe Strings Neon Bright $0.99 End Date: Friday Jun-15-2012 13:57:17 PDT Buy It Now for only: $0.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Cute Little Girl w Doll Dolly Many Other Toys Vintage 1967 Color Photo $0.99 End Date: Sunday May-27-2012 13:04:15 PDT |
 Josephs Coat Of Many Colors pattern Only $0.99 End Date: Monday May-28-2012 19:31:39 PDT |
 Infidel Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Sizes Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 7:22:53 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Anatomy Snake Logo Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 7:41:09 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Ship Anchor 1 Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 7:42:14 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Bee Flower Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Colors Size $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 7:53:22 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Beer Mug 55 Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Colors Size $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 7:54:29 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Beetle Silouette Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 7:55:39 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 BMX Bike Xgames Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 7:57:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Buck Head 222 Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 7:57:55 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Git R Done Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Sizes Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 8:08:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Happy Bee Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Sizes Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 8:10:43 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Happy Boy Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Sizes Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 8:12:16 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Happy Bug Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Sizes Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 8:13:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Happy Chick Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Sizes Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 8:13:55 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Happy Clown Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Sizes Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 8:14:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Happy Cow Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Sizes Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 8:17:06 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Happy Girl Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Sizes Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 8:20:09 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Happy Hog Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Sizes Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 8:21:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Happy Dog Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Sizes Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 8:21:50 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Need Head Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Sizes Colors $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 8:32:16 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Owl Head 211 Vinyl Decal Sticker Many Sizes Color $2.99 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 8:39:07 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 NEW Glidden Brilliance Interior Eggshell Satin Paint Testers Many Colors $1.99 End Date: Saturday Jun-2-2012 16:12:30 PDT Buy It Now for only: $1.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Brand New Glass Mushroom Hemp Necklace Free Fast Shipping Many Colors $2.99 End Date: Monday Jun-4-2012 17:17:14 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Custom Vinyl Soccer Decal Sticker 6 Tall Many Colors $2.99 End Date: Sunday Jun-10-2012 6:20:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Skull Decal 2x4 size many color choices $2.99 End Date: Sunday Jun-10-2012 18:38:16 PDT Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
You can also check out Amazon for information on Many Colors.
 Many Colors: Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church List Price:  |
 Coat of Many Colors List Price: Sale Price: $2.93 You save: $4.06 (58%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Kindle Fire Charger / AC Adapter List Price: Sale Price: $19.99 You save: $5.00 (20%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
 Trendy White Wayfarers- Available in Many Colors! Sale Price: $1.49 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 2000 Diamond Table Confetti Wedding Bridal Shower Party Decorations 1/3ct - Many Colors Available List Price: Sale Price: $2.95 You save: $12.00 (80%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Pandora compatable Silver Bling Bling Charms by GlitZ JewelZ © - Clear Diamond - made with over 80 swarovski crytals - fits all pandora type bracelets & necklaces - available in many colors Sale Price: $14.00 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
 WHITE Apple iPhone 3G 3Gs 8GB 16GB 32GB FLORAL Transparent Jelly Silicone Skin Case Cover + Free Screen Protector (Many Colors Available) Sale Price: $3.60 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Coat Of Many Colors Sale Price: $1.29 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Fold Knives New Steel Warrior Pocket Knife with Many Colors Sale Price: $16.35 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Numbers, Colors, Shapes... And Blue! Sale Price: $6.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
How The Artist Uses Color
Color is the emotional counterpoint to the intellectual qualities of drawing, and is one of the most important elements of design. While paintings and drawings can be quite effective without color, the use of color adds an entirely new dimension to the piece. Without color, the artist is not a painter, but a draughtsman.
Although color theory can be complex, practical application is what matters, and in this article I will present a simple philosophy for achieving an effective use of color and color harmony in a composition. But first an acquaintance with the fundamentals of color theory is necessary, as I believe that no worthwhile accomplishments can arise from ignorance of the basic principles:
1. Buy an artist's color wheel, or make your own. This is an essential item for any artist. Be acquainted with the primary colors: red, blue and yellow; how they mix to make the secondary colors, and how the secondary colors mix to make the tertiary colors.
2. "Hue" is simply the name of a color; for example, red, blue, orange are "hues." "Intensity" is the purity of a color. "Value" is the darkness or lightness of a color. "Temperature" is the relative warmness or coolness of a color; this can also be affected by surrounding colors. A "key" color is the dominant color in a color scheme. "Palette" has two meanings for the artist: first, it refers to the surface on which the paints are mixed before being applied to the canvas; second, it refers to the range of colors which the artist has chosen for his painting. In this article I will use the latter meaning.
3. Be sure to understand the relationship between complimentary colors (colors directly opposite each other on a color wheel) such as red and green, blue and orange, red and violet. Mixed together, they create valuable greys that can help unify a color scheme. But be careful about including complimentary colors in your work: they can compete with each other unless one is more abundant than the other, or one is greyed a bit to lower its intensity. And if you want to increase the intensity of a color, surround it with its complement, or with a grey. In my painting, "The Triumph Of Mars," found on my website, you can see how grey is used to enhance the impact of red and yellow.
4. Black, white and grey are not colors--in fact, they represent the absence of color. Any color mixed with white is a "tint;" any color mixed with black is a "shade;" any color mixed with grey is a "tone."
5. The standard color schemes are analogous, triadic, tetradic, complementary, split complementary and monochromatic:
a. Analogous--three or more colors side by side on the color wheel.
b. Triadic--three colors equidistant on the color wheel, forming a triangle.
c. Tetradic--four colors equidistant on the color wheel, forming a square.
d. Complementary--two colors directly across from each other on the color wheel, such as red and green, and any neutral greys made from mixing the two.
e. Split Complementary--three colors, two of which are the adjacent colors to the complementary color of the third.
f. Monochromatic--a color scheme composed of only one color, plus black and white.
Don't worry about adhering to these formal color schemes too closely; the inclusion of neutrals and your own color preferences will ultimately play a more dominant role in shaping your use of color. Their main purpose is to introduce the artist to color relationships and how those relationships create harmony in a color scheme.
Finally, remember that warm colors advance and cool colors recede. For example, in a landscape you could use warm earth tones in the foreground to make it appear closer to the viewer, while in the background you would use cooler colors such as blues and greens to create the sense of recession and distance.
That completes a brief review of basic color theory. Now I will discuss the effective use of color in a composition, and how to harmonize the colors in that composition. To create harmony in a color scheme a painting should consist of warm, cool and neutral colors, with one group predominating. The use of neutral colors, such as greys made from complimentary colors or earth tones, are the key to the great painters' successful use of color in their compositions. Greys help to unify a color scheme by tying together the warm and cool colors. The works of two of my favorite artists, Edward Hopper and El Greco, are superb examples of the use of neutral greys to balance and enrich a color scheme. Black and white can also serve as neutrals in this context.
In determining your color scheme for a painting, first examine the subject before you. If you look carefully you will see that there is a predominate color in the scene. This is known as the "key" color, and this will be a good choice for the "key" color in your composition as well. Once you have determined this color, it will easier to establish the other colors of your color scheme in relation to it.
One of the most important principles of color harmony is keeping your palette of colors to a minimum--it's not how many colors you use; it's how well you use a limited number of colors. The greater the number of colors used, the more difficult it is to maintain control over them.
Once you have chosen your palette for a painting, try to mix all your colors with this limited number--avoid the temptation to add more colors. This is another way to achieve harmony in your color scheme. For example, try mixing your blacks, browns and greys with the some of the colors with which you mixed your greens, blues and oranges.
When mixing colors, use a minimum of colors in your mixtures--three or four at the most, or the result may be muddy. To maintain the freshness of the colors, avoid over-mixing your paints, and apply them to the canvas with minimal brushwork. The use of white should also be approached with caution; it can easily turn a color mixture muddy. Remember that it isn't always a good idea to lighten a color with white, or to darken a color with black. Other colors can be used for these purposes; a lighter color such as yellow ochre can lighten a green, and ultramarine blue can darken it.
If your subject is painted from life, remember that the colors of nature are only a guide; the painting is a separate entity from the subject--it has a life of its own. All that matters is that the use of color in your painting is effective. Of course, you should choose colors that help to express the mood and atmosphere of the subject; you would not choose bright Impressionist colors for a moody landscape.
The basics of color theory are applicable to any medium; however, some media such as pastel and colored pencil do not lend themselves well to the mixing of complimentary colors to create neutral greys. In these dry media, colors cannot be mixed directly as with paint; it will be necessary to blend colors visually, using hatching, stippling or scumbling techniques. You may also have to use a greater number of colors to compensate for this limitation.
In some media, such as oil or acrylic, different colors have different attributes: some colors may be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque. These qualities will affect how the colors can be used; for example, transparent colors are better used for glazes than opaque colors, but transparent colors will not provide adequate coverage to conceal an underlying color.
All paint, as it dries, changes color or intensity to some degree, or "sinks." Acrylic seems to be one of the biggest offenders in this regard; oil seems the most resistant to this. This is not to say that one medium is superior to another; every medium has its strengths and weakness, and should be used accordingly. However, I have found it more difficult to maintain color harmony in acrylic than in oil; the colors often change quite noticeably as they dry.
A final word about color; as with any aspect of art, there is no better way to study the use of color than to learn from the great masters. Study the works of artists whose paintings you admire; see how they used color. The works of Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Edward Hopper, El Greco and Henri Matisse have always impressed me with their rich and sophisticated use of color.
If drawing is the skeleton of a painting, then color is its flesh. Color is the essence of the painter's art, and its application brings life to the artist's concept. As you gain experience you will instinctively gain a greater "color sense" and develop your own preferences. Equipped with a solid grounding in color theory and a study of the great artists' works, in time you will blend understanding with knowledge to create your own personal philosophy of color.
About the Author
Charles Griffith's interest in art began in childhood, and was encouraged by his family. Later, while serving in the U.S. military in Europe, he was inspired by seeing firsthand some of the treasures of European art. Today his art focuses on traditional realism, often with elements of Expressionism and Surrealism.
Thanks for visiting!