Color Theory Ep. 4 | How to Avoid Muddy Colors - Complimentary Colors

In this video we talk about the first part of avoid making mud. Mixing complimentary colors together, what is it, and how making this kind of mud can be really useful in watercolor paintings.
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*** Supplies I used ***
A. Permanent Yellow Deep (Holbein) bit.ly/2Ql6hbU
B. Permanent Yellow Orange (Holbein) bit.ly/2rlOxPj
C. Vermilion Hue (Holbein) bit.ly/2U9yIIV
D. Scarlet Lake (Holbein) bit.ly/2AmZFQg
E. Quinacridone Rose (Daniel Smith) bit.ly/2KwjHwh
F. Quinacridone Violet (Holbein) bit.ly/2AO7cI0
(A) Ultramarine Violet (Schmincke) bit.ly/2SrRgCs
(B) Ultramarine Finest (Schmincke) bit.ly/2EdF9Ww
(C) Phthalo Blue Yellow Shade (Holbein) bit.ly/2An5blN
(D) Phthalo Turquoise (Daniel Smith) bit.ly/2RzyMjt
(E) Phthalo Green (Schmincke) bit.ly/2DXWm5g
(F) May Green (Schmincke) bit.ly/2QH16TX
OTHER PALETTES TO TRY
*** Daniel Smith Selection ***
A. Hansa Yellow Mid bit.ly/2P2xlI3
B. Hansa Yellow Deep bit.ly/2BSrTEx
C. Perinone Orange bit.ly/2SvOlsw
D. Permanent Red bit.ly/2zs1Ylv
E. Quinacridone Rose bit.ly/2KwjHwh
F. Quinacridone Violet bit.ly/2AO7cI0
(A) *
(B) Ultramarine Blue bit.ly/2TKqUwN
(C) Phthalo Blue Green Shade bit.ly/2P1Xt66
(D) Phthalo Turquoise (Daniel Smith) bit.ly/2RzyMjt
(E) Phthalo Green Blue Shade bit.ly/2QCWhus
(F) Phthalo Yellow Green bit.ly/2BRX6Yx
* Ultramarine Violet from Schmincke, Blockx, M. Graham and Richardson’s only
*** Holbein Selection ***
A. Permanent Yellow Deep bit.ly/2Ql6hbU
B. Permanent Yellow Orange (Holbein) bit.ly/2rlOxPj
C. Vermilion Hue (Holbein) bit.ly/2U9yIIVe
D. Scarlet Lake bit.ly/2AmZFQg
E. Quinacridone Magenta bit.ly/2P1CvnV
F. Quinacridone Violet bit.ly/2AO7cI0
(A) *
(B) Ultramarine Blue Deep bit.ly/2rcok61
(C) Phthalo Blue Yellow Shade bit.ly/2An5blN
(D) Marine Blue bit.ly/2Eds67t
(E) Bamboo Green bit.ly/2SrBKq5
(F) Permanent Green No.1 bit.ly/2zEQWZV
* Ultramarine Violet from Schmincke, Blockx, M. Graham and Richardson’s only
*** Sennelier Selection ***
A. Sennelier Yellow Light bit.ly/2TDh6Vz
B. Red Orange bit.ly/2Eeqqul
C. Sennelier Orange bit.ly/2ARRj3d
D. Sennelier Red bit.ly/2R8A18Z
E. Rose Madder Lake (this one is permanent) bit.ly/2r3x3qR
F. Red Violet bit.ly/2rmJ0Iq
(A) *
(B) French Ultramarine bit.ly/2DMUJrl
(C) Phthalocyanine Blue bit.ly/2BxtpLY
(D) Phthalocyanine Turquoise bit.ly/2REYqU5
(E) Phthalo Green Deep bit.ly/2QeG1As
(F) Phthalo Green Light bit.ly/2QC22IZ
* Ultramarine Violet from Schmincke, Blockx, M. Graham and Richardson’s only
*** Schmincke Selection ***
A. Pure Yellow bit.ly/2RwAKRu
B. Yellow Orange bit.ly/2ARrbpi
C. Permanent Red Orange bit.ly/2SrlPYQ
D. Scarlet Red bit.ly/2RxZskp
E. Magenta bit.ly/2rjejnx
F. Quinacridone Violet bit.ly/2zKXC93
(A) Ultramarine Violet bit.ly/2SrRgCs
(B) Ultramarine Finest (Schmincke) bit.ly/2EdF9Ww
(C) Helio Cerulean bit.ly/2UdPXZo
(D) Helio Turquoise bit.ly/2EfzQWJ
(E) Phthalo Green (Schmincke) bit.ly/2DXWm5g
(F) May Green (Schmincke) bit.ly/2QH16TX
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[@anam00090]

I know you covered this in previous videos, but the sheer genius of naming complementary pairs with A and (A) just blows my mind :D I have a watercolor wheel on my wall and after a year of staring at it I still need time to remember which color complements which. This is just super helpful... And so easy to understand! Will try to make this exact palette if I can. My ultramarine violets don't mix this way though, need to get a cooler version...

[@OtoKano]

So glad that makes it easier for you. I was/am the same. Can't for the life of me remember what colors greys out what color, unless I have the A, B, C, labels on the palette.

[@tydelbarrio9193]

This is such a great series! One of the things I was struggling with was the "why" do we use muted colors, and I feel like you put the concept into words that is so easy to understand and apply in our own paintings. Really well-done video, I'm so looking forward to more!!!!

[@sherryscoloringandpaintingcorn]

The E pair was my favorite

[@EveBolt]

The possibility to mix greys is something that I find super important and I'm still awed when it happens XD I really loved your little demo with the added complimentary, it heightens the contrast a lot!

[@OtoKano]

I know what you mean, like HOOOWWWWW? They make such beautiful greys, just gorgeous.

[@LanaGoesArt]

Great explanation, but I wish the second half was named "embrace the mud". As you say muted colors are neccessary and it's mostly learming how to use complementary or muted colors not just avoiding them. :) we need to lift the stigma off the "mud". 😄

[@OtoKano]

LanaGoesArt I thought that’s what I was doing by showing how important muted colors are?

[@LanaGoesArt]

@@OtoKano You totally did! But I feel like the title suggests, that they aren't as important as we both think they are. It's just what came to my mind, when I was watching it.

[@janetwebber7814]

I've watched a lot of videos on colour theory and these are by far the best! All the others left me confused. Thank you so much for teaching this in a way that really helps! You are a great teacher! Many can paint but few can teach, as well! 🙂

[@jakebantilan6285]

I am watching this VERY IN DEPTH series in tandem with online classes on painting digitally and though this is for a traditional media, THIS SERIES IS SIMPLY ABOVE AND BEYOND HELPFUL in even how I try to understand and plan out colors for digital pieces! I'm delving seriously into watercolor soon and this is sooo getting me excited!

[@theFoxspots]

I love the color that you get when you mix pthalo green and dioxazine violet, it's almost black.

[@OtoKano]

woooo what a lovely mix!

[@woodsbound7932]

I just have to tell you how much I appreciate this list! I'm a beginner watercolorist, and I'm going to enjoy the journey soooooo much more with this information! THANK-YOU!!

[@OtoKano]

So glad you are enjoying this series, hope it helps you find color theory fun :D

[@jillc2700]

This kind of thing has taken me a long time to grasp. I am also a fan of bright colors and it took me a long time in painting class to realize I needed nuetral colors too.

[@OtoKano]

agree with you Jill, it took me ages to figure it out too.

[@Kimmieziven]

I got my first paints (gouache) some months ago and i kept coming back to these vids. I love how you explained things in detail and how to use them.

[@debrabartman6749]

Thank you for all these wonderful videos on color theory. They are very helpful.

[@rachel_sea]

Oh my gosh you are so incredible! I love listening to you speak about colour, and hearing about your creative + learning process - so cool! Thanks for creating!!!

[@angiewright-artist8246]

This was an awesome video Oto! I am spending a day playing with my colors trying this, I'm familiar with a few of my go to neutrals but want to be better. Great video girl!!

[@pamelaknott6707]

This series is so good. Very clear explanations and you make it really interesting. I have never taken much notice of the colour wheel before but now I can see how important it is. At last I should be able to get a perfect grey!! Thank you so much!

[@rc7baldonado313]

I HAVE BEEN LEARNING SO VERY MUCH FROM YOUR COLOR THEORY VIDEOS. WOW, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, I REALLY NEEDED SOMEONE TO EXPLAIN AS COMPREHENSIVE AS YOU DID! FOREVER GRATEFUL, Christina

[@danielquebedeaux1835]

So well explained, thanks!

[@helend9715]

Thanks Oto, the way you explane it makes it so easy to understand.

[@OtoKano]

Aw so glad you found it easy to understand Helen, thank you!

[@robincooper9323]

You do an excellent job of teaching Dr. Kano. Thank you so much for this series.

[@OtoKano]

Thank you so much Robin, you are so kind :)

[@renejantzi7441]

The bunny palette looks excellent with watercolors in the wells! Incredibly helpful video. Thank you

[@OtoKano]

Thank you Rene, I'm really enjoying painting with the bunny plate too :D It's huge but the big wells are nice.

[@lindacarreira8106]

This is such an excellent series. It’s been extremely informative and useful. Thank you so much.

[@OtoKano]

So glad you are enjoying this series Linda. I really appreciate you watching it :D

[@susansacco7583]

Brilliant series. Thank you.

[@lindsayjayne2169]

Wonderful, wonderful, series!!👏🏻

[@ioan-sebastiansofiean3506]

i love u ,you know that time when u search for that something and you cant find it and then it clicks you did that for me tnx

[@FarlyCreates]

How informative, Dr. Oto!! Thank you so much for this video! I really need to try out these exercises to understand color theory better. You break this down and it all seems so simple!

[@OtoKano]

You're so welcome Farly. Hope you have fun trying out lots of greys!

[@anyariv]

Thank you!!

[@vanessaboman8143]

I got a 12 well round dish for the colour wheel... I got a square plate from wilkos too.... And I have an array of plates from the charity stores for my at home messing and mixing... Thank you for sharing so much great info on colour mixing...

[@vanessaboman8143]

I also get the quicker wheel too... Colour theory is fascinating to me... And getting a few paints each month is also my mission this year so I can broaden my mixing ad infinitum. Beats stress in a huge way... I care for my mum and dealing with adult services is SO stressful so this is the perfect antidote 😀😊😀😁😀😊😃😄

[@joanneferguson9297]

Just found this explanation of color, wonderful!

[@susanphillips323]

This is fascinating! Thank you!!

[@Miastrong930]

Great video. There is so much to learn. At least once a year I go back and watch you color theory videos about once a year. I have become used to mixing the colors I use. I find that by mixing my own I get more harmony in my painting. For example if I need an olive green, rather than use a an olive green I use the colors in my painting to create and olive green. So if I already have a green on my painting, I use the green and test the warm colors in my painting to create an olive green I like. As a result I use very few colors and mix the additional color from the ones I already use. Usually I put out all the colors I am going to use. Then I surprise myself because

[@federicomuciaccia9191]

very very very useful videos. thank you so much!!

[@susanwood4770]

Really good explanation of something I just (in my muddled old mind) didn’t get. Adding thanks for your videos which I have just discovered. Really interesting.

[@sanjayk3094]

I'm happy you explained how important it was in the middle of the vedio. Cause painting is my hobby I loved using muted colours and I thought I was making a mistake after seeing the thumbnail. Thank you for clearing it that how important they are too and yeah your vedio of colours are awesome.

[@rideauviewconstruction717]

Excellent video

[@FayeWulf]

I just told my american friend that all I want for xmas is a deviled egg plate. He thought I meant a plate of deviled eggs and gave me the recipe for it but when I explained to him that they dont sell the plates for them here.. he was really confused and thought it was a weird wish 😂😂 I'm enjoying these colour theory videos but what about people who enjoy using desaturated/muddy colours? How do we utilise that?

[@OtoKano]

Ha ha ha I really hope you find a deviled egg dish Faye. You can totally use the same theory with desaturated/muddy colors if you are not keen on bright colors. Same principles, you want to try and get colors that fit the 12 spots on the color wheel (but with more muted colors) and ensure that the complimentary pairs mute each other out. It's a look of experimenting, but totally worth doing. For example, I don't like bright yellow oranges, so I use transparent red oxide instead, which mutes ultramarine perfectly.

[@KittehNow]

EXCELLENT LESSON!

[@geckonia]

Thank you for this fresh perspective on mixing colors you have no idea how much I appreciate it. 😊

[@OtoKano]

Awww I am so happy it helped you :D May I ask what did you find useful?

[@geckonia]

Dr. Oto Kano setting up your palette based on compliments and pigment properties instead of just making a pretty rainbow. I don’t have a 14 color palette set up like this (yet) and it never would have occurred to me to do it this way... your guidance is like a turbo boost! 😘

[@OtoKano]

Really hope making the palette makes color mixing even more clear and easy for you :D

[@conversationswithkat5710]

Amazing!!! Thank you!!!!

[@FuatShucrio]

Next to colour names, perhaps you can mention what pigment is actually written on the tube/pan. This will aid people when they intend to buy the same “colour” you are using in your videos, but the brand is not easily available to them. These type of videos could benefit greatly from simply stating the pigment number employed. I do like your explanations a lot, thank you for your efforts.

[@mypandapaints5854]

FuatShucrio She has a video where she gives all different types of combinations for the color wheel colors from different brands. The reason why pigment color is not a good idea to base your color wheel off of is that the same pigment can be used to make different colors and hues. Therefore shifting it's place on the wheel. Example: Ultramarine and French ultramarine have different color temps but are the same pigment.

[@lakshminarayanashadagopan1498]

Thank you

[@nursen2106]

very interesting. so different, to what I prefer. I have to look, what sort of paintings you make, to see the colours in work

[@artsprout]

HA ... I have a degree (ok actually 3 ... but who's counting) ... I took many painting classes - to build upon my love of expressive drawing and the element of line and shape - but I always struggled with really understanding "color" and I just pulled together more concise learning in 18 minutes of this video than I did in 4 years (way more than that). Now as an art teacher ... I'm redigesting. Fabulous breakdown. Thank you.

[@viviangenesie5291]

thank you so much your video is really helpfull

[@OtoKano]

Really glad it helps, thanks for watching Rosalie!

[@laura3071934]

This series it’s being such a huge help for a beginner like me, it perfectly complements the watercolor classes I’m taking. Thanks so much for being so generous in sharing your dedication and expertise Oto! If you’d be so kind as to answer a question for me please: can this be done with the basic split color wheel that you showed us how to make in video #2 in other words, do the secondary colors have to be store bought or can they be mixed from the three primaries? Thanks!

[@viviancattaneo1474]

This is very helpful for me as I have trouble creating nice greys for my paintings. I have never used them for shadows as I tend to use purples, mixed with blues or use darker version to the colours I am using. I am still not fond of using greys for the shadows but I want those nice greys to use it in my paintings when needed. I assume the colours on your wheel can be a mix between different brands except for the ultramarine violet. I have some M. graham and Windsor Newton as well as Schminke, D.S and Holbein

[@ms.rlsteele351]

Very helpful

[@screechandbellow6711]

What a great series! Thanks so much for your effort - I learnt a lot from it! I for one find it’s hard to neutralize cool yellows- I have quite a few that is the more cool yellow- D.S.’s Hansa Yellow light PY3, Schmincke’s pure yellow PY154, and a bunch of Winsor and Newton- Winsor lemon, Winsor yellow and Aurélin, transparent yellow etc. Is PV15 in your opinion the best to neutralize them? I can do have the W&N’s ultramarine violet and Smalt, both are PV15 but both are “weak”... I tried the Schmincke ultramarine violet, which is a mix I believe, using PB29 and PV15. Similar to the pure PV15- weak inky neutrals. I wonder if there is another better pigment to neutralize cool yellow- any thought?

[@jeannetaft2784]

Enjoying your post on color wheels. Thanks Question Do you have a list of Colors for an M.Graham color wheel ? Struggling with trying to get it the colors right

[@christineb9022]

Another brilliant video! But as with the earlier video, you do not give Winsor and Newton suggested colours. I thought it was one of the most popular brands. I have so many of them that I can’t justify buying a whole new set. Is it because you don’t rate W&N or some other reason. I would love to have a list of W&N colours I could use as alternatives to these (except the violet of course). Would that be possible please?

[@everirisart3554]

Brilliant! Your demonstrations make it so much easier and interesting to learn these concepts. Making muted grays for shadows also allow you to force objects farther back or bring them forward. Like graying out trees in the distance and using their complimentary colors looks so much more interesting than using a flat black or grays made from just black alone. Thanks Oto, please keep up the visual clarity!! I'm going to go play with my colors now! :)

[@OtoKano]

Aw thank you so much EverIris. Glad that the demos help understand the topic :D

[@jamkapha]

Many thanks for yet another wonderful video. So clear and practical application of information. And... where did you get the bunny plate? Thanks!

[@OtoKano]

I got it from Amazon UK but it's from the US: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06X3Y39BD/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@jamkapha]

Dr. Oto Kano thank you! Ordered it! Whoo-hoo! And thanks again for such clear, concise information in your videos. I’ve learned more from them than from my formal art school training at SVA.

[@melanychaiquin8020]

Hi (again)! Thanks for another great video. I have a question... At 3:59, you state that "ultramarine violet [(A)] is a cooler colour than the yellow [A]." However, as per your earlier videos on colour theory, I took these colours to be equally warm (or equally cool) because both as equidistant from the "warmest" red [D] and from the "coolest" blue [(D)]. (Each one is three slots away from D and from [D]). Was this assumption (namely, that they are equally cool or equally warm) incorrect? Thank you once more!

[@Lavastorm77]

Hello Dr Oto. I was very interested to see the specific Ultramarine Violet brands that you use to be the complement of yellow. On Jane Blundell’s blog each of these uses a combination of PV15 and PB29. I found one tube in my admittedly small watercolor collection that has those two pigments together. It is QOR Ultramarine Blue Violet. Will that work? Or do I need to get M. Graham or Richeson or BlokX? Will the Aquazol in QOR be an issue? Kind Regards.

[@fideliawongsf]

Painting Theory

[@meetingplace7928]

New to your channel. Learned about you from "Minnie Small." Looking forward to taking in your content.☺🎨

[@OtoKano]

Thank you so much for coming over! It's lovely to have you here :D

[@christinakittytothemoon]

Me too! Come here after Minnie Small‘s video,

[@meetingplace7928]

@@OtoKano ...thank you for the acknowledgement mam!😄💚

[@OtoKano]

Chris thank you for coming to the channel too :D

[@DianeLovesMakeup]

Hi Oto Kano, thank you for putting up this video. Just wondering if you can put a list for mijello mission gold. Having said i also wonder if you happen to know if Mijello Blie Violet woukd be a match for Schminke Ultramarine Violet. Thanks in advance for taking time to reply

[@OtoKano]

Hi Diane, I don't want to make recommendations for colors I've not seen with my own eyes. Printed and Digital color charts are so misleading and I wouldn't want to recommend the wrong colors. I will update the list if I get to know enough Mission Gold paints in the future.

[@DianeLovesMakeup]

Dr. Oto Kano Incompletely understand. I will go ahead and purchase Ultramarine violet then. All the best and keep up the good work.

[@atelieradela]

I love muted colors (I think ita a fase I am in right now), they look a lot better when using complementary colors than when adding black/braun/neutral tint/. On te topic on muting colors (I blame Denise from In Liquid Colors for this), have you tried Perylene Green? It mixes nicely from what I have seen. After watching Denise I want straight to Jacksons website and ordered a 15 mil tube. I think I am turning into a watercolor horder.

[@OtoKano]

Yes! I have it in DS and Holbein, such lovely colors :D

[@GundemaroSagrajas]

Why no Winsor&Newton recommendations?

[@willowwysteria7027]

Hi Oto, I just wanted to say I'm a big fan and a subscriber for 4 months now and I'm here to ask you which warm red, warm yellow and cool blue do you recommend in the Sennelier line?

[@OtoKano]

Hi Willow, I covered that in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5uqp6emZdGCqtk Hope this helps :)

[@willowwysteria7027]

@@OtoKano OMG I didn't know you already had covered it, KZbin really has some notification problems and inconsistencies that they really need to fix. Anyways Thank you Oto!

[@OtoKano]

WillowWysteria that’s no problem at all 😊 hope it helps!

[@hansendesigns]

👍

[@WJC1981]

If I wanted to darken a colour, rather than adding black which makes it muddy could I add a tiny bit of the complentary colour?

[@OtoKano]

That's exactly right Wes!

[@ianjackson5834]

i cud not coup with out my mud in my paintings, i love the mud lol

[@OtoKano]

Me too Ian, bring on the mud :D

[@dauphinnageur]

Can you say the name of the colors instead of A, B, or C, etc colors.

[@allenreyes960]

Yeah some of the colors there have a diff name depending on the brand