How do I choose colors? Caveman Color Theory Ep 1

I've been obsessing about finding new and simpler ways to explain how color theory works in art. I believe this video introduces some new angles to explain some very old art ideas. Please let me know in the comments what you think! -- Kurt
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0:00 Introduction
0:47 Creating distinction
2:21 The Value Spectrum
5:00 Weaponized storytelling
7:12 Inverting these ideas
8:17 This works for saturation
9:29 So does hue...
10:56 Recap
12:02 "Caveman" color explained
13:12 Does this make sense?
#cavemancolor

[@cancelled148]

This is extremely understandable. Basically add more range of a color in the area we wanna focus on and more contrast on the areas that are supporting it.

[@StephieArt]

Please do make more on this topic. Everything I've searched and found lately is so basic and doesn't seem to address the issues I've been trying to fix in my art.

[@colorwithkurt]

Thanks! Episode 2 will explain further with more help regarding applying these ideas.

[@colinsilverman6544]

Brilliant! Thank you so much Kurt. I’ve been drawing and painting for 50 years, and I’ve never heard or seen these concepts explained so concisely and easy to understand. Bravo!

[@colorwithkurt]

Wow. Thank you so much. I really appreciate that.

[@Jonty-kq4fr]

This is so much more helpful than I expected. You deserve hundreds of thousands more views. I don't get why this hasn't blown up.

[@colorwithkurt]

I can see the analytics. YT literally rarely even fronts a video to non subscribers. I'm shocked you found it. :)

[@Jonty-kq4fr]

@@colorwithkurt And I'm glad I did. Thank you!

[@TheDaniel71234]

I’ve seen a lot on analyzing the old illustrator values, but no one ever showed the strategy of color with the value range explanations. And I think you can reach a level where you get how many of them kept a narrow range of value except for the focal point, and sometimes see how a color can be thrown in, but I personally would never have looked at your work and been able to see you were using the same strategies. Really great explanation and I wish I had seen this before I the tons of info I’ve seen and read over the years.

[@colorwithkurt]

That's very kind. Thank you so much. I'm glad it clicked. I'm so much more excited about episode 2 now that I know I'm not crazy!

[@Xatumi]

This clicked with me like no other tutorial on color has. Thank you so much please make more cuz I think we may think in the same wavelength. This was perfect

[@spiritretro3571]

more like this please!! SERIOUSLY you took thre stuff people say to know and ACTUALLY put them into context of how they are used which is infinately more useful

[@katetsunoda7928]

Extremely helpful. Finding this video was like finding a glass of lemonade in a desert of "color theory" videos and explanations on the inter-webs. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make more of these #cavemancolor videos! I'm bookmarking this one and eagerly waiting the next installment!

[@colorwithkurt]

Thank you, Kate. Working on episode two now. :)

[@thadrobeck]

I like the idea of breaking down color theory in a more intuitive manner, I'm in for a series.

[@RedOni87]

These would be a group of really interesting episodes.

[@colorwithkurt]

Yep! I don't think I can even get past the basics for at least two or three more episodes.

[@ThiagoMarquesArt]

Thank you so very much for these lessons! Loved the intro and the ending too! And I actually laughed out loud when I spot that "©disney (don`t sue me)" on the bottom! LOL #CAVEMANCOLOR

[@ginah3737]

This video is a gem! I've struggled with light and color for the longest time, but every tutorial I found would reiterate the same abstract concepts that didn't help me in the first place. You flip the subjects in a fresh way which makes them easier for me to understand. Thank you for sharing the knowledge, hope you continue this series!

[@colorwithkurt]

Very kind. Thanks! More to come for certain.

[@computer__eyez]

I’m not an artist, but I do photo manipulation, this has helped me greatly understand this concept. I can now see, a microscopic world I was not aware of, but most importantly, I understand the components and how to put them to use. Will be re-watching. Subscribed!

[@_megori]

I was just thinking to myself "I really should get back at drawing and painting. Back to the basics". And *boom*, KZbin recommends me this video. It's been over three years since I last looked at the general direction of my tablet, so this series should be just what I need while going back at color theory and studying it

[@colorwithkurt]

Wow that's so cool! I'm curious... Were you subscribed already? KZbin seems to be recommending my videos a little bit more lately. Glad to hear it helped!

[@_megori]

@@colorwithkurt I've been subscribed for a while now, but youtube does this annoying thing where it doesn't show me notifications, even if I have them turned on for specific channels. It also hides videos from my subscription page sometimes. So it was a nice surprise to see this one on my recommendations! For once the algorithm got something right :P

[@LXhSh]

Yes! More of this please.

[@BobFitz64]

This is great. Just as a side note, I've taught Art in the UK (at your equivalent of High School) and this is an accessible and relevant way for students to not just understand colour theory but apply it.

[@colorwithkurt]

Very cool! More to come here. It's just getting going. :)

[@AzielLaws]

I completely identified with 0:17 and I feel you really nailed in this video. I already heard the "contrast" lession many times, but it's hard when you get into colors. Thankfully, you explained it very well, and I can finally get out of "just use complementary colors" mindset that I have. Please, please, keep this #Caveman Color Theory. So good.

[@Millioko1324]

This one video taught me more than my Digital Color Painting class that cost me $4000. Unbelievably simple to follow and super insightful- thank you

[@colorwithkurt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Ada-zg2qb]

I will be honest. I was having a hard time understanding this when I first watched this. And it wasn’t you but me. I am a beginner. But I went back to your ‘how to color comics 2.0’ and came back here. It’s like everything is making so much sense now. I’m still figuring out this color thing part but this video is really helpful for choosing colors for my art.

[@matte.309]

seeing it as spikes and the flattening out the colour wheel was super useful for a visual learner. thank you.

[@bluedotdinosaur]

I would like to see more. Everything you've gone over so far, is in my experience things that artists end up discovering intuitively just by experimenting. But if they can't explain what it is they've discovered, it is difficult to use intentionally and effectively.

[@colorwithkurt]

That's what I'm trying to show in this series. Thanks so much.

[@RayfieldA]

Kurt, I find this video way more helpful than many other videos that talk about figuring out how to color! So thank you very much, sir!

[@sinziobk]

It's amazing, easy to understand and comforting for beginners. Please do more #cavemancolor !

[@timbrown6373]

Kurt you are my hero.

[@SnakeEater871]

Makes perfect sense. More videos like this please!

[@rssbr88]

This made a lot of sense and I'm definitely looking forward to more! Really good practical explanation of how color can be applied!

[@infinitegods9699]

You are a GAWD!!! I've watched about a dozen vids on color theory and none have landed as good as this one. I opened this page about a week ago and just before I closed it, decided to watch it. I'm soooo glad, thx Consider yourself knighted...

[@colorwithkurt]

I love this so much. Thank you.

[@austinrhoads]

So fucking helpful. Thank you! You have opened my understanding of art.

[@mlitecky]

Yes, it makes sense. Very interested in hearing more.

[@alishba.21]

This NEEDS to blow up!!! I've been trying to learn color theory for a few years and NOTHING has made sense the way did this. This is SO SO important for every single artist out there!!! Thanks so much for creating this amazing explanation!!! You deserve the absolute best, you just saved my art!!!

[@colorwithkurt]

Haha... Thanks so much

[@elisaelisaross]

I really like this explanation. Terms, concepts and contrast were things I already knew, but among all the explanations I have heard, this is one of the clearest. I don't know if maybe my previous knowledge helped me not to be confused, but anyway I think it's a cool alternative way to explain it, which could help people unable to understand other types of colour theory explanations. Also, I like how oriented on practical use this is. I have learnt a lot of stuff on colour theory, but I still struggle actually applying that knowledge into a drawing in practice.

[@madameversiera]

very useful video, this made me less confused about color.

[@smm855]

I could have really used this explanation 12 years ago during college. This is great.

[@alastrionaseger8571]

This has literally been one of the best tutorials on color that I have seen. Thank you so much for making this video -- can't wait to watch the next!

[@colorwithkurt]

Thanks so much.

[@corykerr]

I teach visual communication and I’m constantly drawing histograms in the white board to explain value contrast. Your transition from the spikes to the values in the cover was genius. Fantastic video

[@colorwithkurt]

Thanks so much! I'd love to pick your brain sometime.

[@corykerr]

Color with Kurt anytime! That sounds fun

[@miriamrobarts]

This is an excellent explanation of how Value and Color relate to General Design Principles, such as Emphasis / Contrast, & Rhythm. The comparisons & line graphs help me understand how the concept of Rhythm & patterns applies to different aspects of the work (rather than just lines and shapes).

[@giuliavsenra]

very good! I really needed this class. I get very confused when I get to the part about adding color to the illustration. Really saved me!

[@jonesjeremiah]

I finally know where my goal is for my colors, I still have to figure out the best way to reach it, but understanding these principles will make it so much easer to find the right path. Before this I was randomly picking colors, tried to follow color schemes, picked colors from other art, tried to study real life color science and I still could not figure out why it never looked the way I wanted it to look. I thought " I am using the same colors than this artist, so why does his colors look so good and mine do not?" But now I get it, it is so simple. It is like a light bulb going on over my head. Sure it will not always be easy to apply these principles but I am old enough to know I can get there with practice and experience. Thank you again, hope this gets a ton of views, you deserve it.

[@H8Leech]

I came across you first when I was deployed in 13.. your simple color tutorial( this it was a Wolverine pic) got me hooked.... but the spikes and picture example of contrast just nailed it for me, thank you for what you do sir

[@colorwithkurt]

Awesome! Thank you for your service, and I'm glad things are still clicking. :)

[@bertsdad]

Kurt, you are totally on to something great here. So much of what I learned about color centered on hue, with a little about warm and cold. I went to art school centuries ago and that was the best description of the interplay of hue, value, and saturation I have ever seen. Incredibly valuable! Your instincts are right on. Keep it up! Btw, you Clip Studio course is excellent, too! Thanks so much.

[@designatron7894]

Thanks Kurt, more pls!

[@majaopacic542]

Great video! I never watched any of your tutorials that I couldn't understand 🙂 I was told in my art academy that I had talent for color but only after watching your videos and courses I could plan it, as opposed it happening by chance. Looking forward to more of these!

[@adormousemute]

The concepts you connect these concepts with like basketball and the mountains is excellent. Would love to see your opinions and approach to grayscale coloring.

[@colorwithkurt]

Thanks! Whether you work in grayscale first or just think in grayscale, it's how to get the best results. The values come first.

[@ponderingpuddlespensively]

Oh this was fantastic! Color theory is a passion of mine, and while I have heard the concept of contrast explained 1000 times, I found your take on it unique and refreshing. It's so practical! I want all my art friends to watch this.

[@colorwithkurt]

Wow, thank you so much. Please tell them to watch! :)

[@KeishaSalmonArtist]

Extremely helpful.! More please. 😍👍

[@755assassin]

This is probably the best video I've ever seen on this subject, thank you Kurt!

[@francoismahr]

Interesting bind of color and composition theory ! Thank you 😊

[@DarkGloComics]

Thank you for this Kurt. I have ADHD and I always watch videos at two times speed. Yours is the first that I’ve watched on regular speed in a long time. Not to mention the fact that you made things a lot easier for me to understand. With my condition we can be very creative but sometimes certain concepts can only be understood when explained in a certain way. And in this case that would be a more visual way. Direct into the point. Not too much in the way of anecdotes or long-windedness. There was one part when you were showing the grayscale. I’ve seen other videos talk about starting off in grayscale and then using that and replacing each tone with a color. I understood the general lighting concept but could not understand what I was supposed to do at the point between that and changing colors. Just in the few seconds that you were covering that it became clear. Or at least, clearer than it had been. Thanks again. Side question: did you play ball in school?

[@colorwithkurt]

Thanks so much! I'm glad it helped. I was a starting point guard for my school from 5th grade through 10th! :)

[@mitchellsink2584]

This is gold. Tip notch advice. Will be saving this in a Playlist for art lessons.

[@taliesinian]

possibly the best (of many) color theory video i have watched. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

[@lindacampbell1430]

Great video! Love how you keep simplifying these principles. More please!

[@colorwithkurt]

Thanks, Linda! Hope you are well. :)

[@joelbartlett8329]

Yup. This was great, more of this series please!!!

[@rizkydharma8373]

This absolutely make sense to me, but the way you explain it... it opens that whole new area in my head i never realized. Love this!

[@rpc4626]

Nice approach to color, and nice way to teach it. You have my vote to make more content on this topic.

[@tejeraillustrator3810]

I feel like this video has been life changing. Thanks Kurt. Color theory is one of my many weaknesses, but I see the "Light".

[@blackManicArts]

I'm saving this to review again later, it all seems so straightforward, but I have to try to implement it before I really know if I'm understanding it the way I think I am, thank you for sharing this

[@colorwithkurt]

Episode 2 will add a lot more info on applying it. I just had to get the rough concept out there first. :)

[@antonigeno]

this is pretty much what I was looking for ! I think it came up as very comprehensible

[@rachelhorwitz6816]

This is fantastic and easy to understand, please make more! I've needed a video like this for years!!

[@trevorunderwood4205]

This was excellent Kurt

[@problemsinspace]

Love the peak analogy. Great. Really helps makes your point.

[@lycan0000]

It's strange that I knew (i think) everything you mentionned, yet I learned things. Like it helped to make a shape in my head out of the knowledge I already had. It's great. I'll definitely watch part 2,3,4,5... etc Keep it up ! :D

[@SrirachaCream]

I love watching videos like this to get refreshers when i dont know what to draw. Creatively, stuff doesnt form in the page as it does in my head, and watching well put together stuff like this really helps narrow it down.

[@morganpantoja5583]

Please make more!! You are a god send

[@brunodomingosazevedo]

Man do that series, this content is amazing.

[@petersandberg8174]

Hell yes, more of this please! You managed to convey an aspect of contrast and color (and picturemaking in general) that is generally not spoken much of despite the vast number of tutorials available.

[@ArtsMermaid]

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEED!!!!!! I'm ok with color, but I always want to learn more. I also always have trouble learning, but this makes perfect sense to me. Please do more of this!!!!!!

[@Nerdorkgeek]

Please make a full series! This was really helpful🙏🏾

[@kalleendo7577]

This makes things clearer for me. Awesome help! Thanks

[@ryanmartinson8405]

Great explanation, Kurt. I’d definitely appreciate more like this. I’m still a little stuck on sorting out (or seeing, perhaps) what saturation is, but hue and value where abundantly clear. Nice job!

[@colorwithkurt]

Episode 2 will help with a lot of this. This whole series is basically just trying to lay a foundation, and it's going to keep expanding every episode.

[@ryanmartinson8405]

Color with Kurt cool, cool! Well you’ve laid a great foundation. The peaks drawn out was a great help. I recently heard “contrast creates interest” which this reinforced and I loved how you brought that to the other aspects of drawing. I think it can also apply to storytelling, which really helps complete the package. :) keep up the great content.

[@arlaghdoth4434]

Incredibly constructed video Kurt, it did help a lot with some things that were blurry in my head, and I'm sure a lot of people coming here are going to feel the same, this is some really useful stuff, I can't thank you enough for all of those videos.

[@m.a8735]

This is just amazing! The best and most clear explanation I've seen. Thank you so much Kurt! Yes please more of this 🙏

[@RyuksApple]

I come from a lighting design background, so I've been through more color theory lectures than you can shake a stick at, and I still always come away from them with a new piece of the puzzle to think about. Thank you!

[@davialessandro7878]

Well, it made a lot of sense, I understood everything. Awesome video, Kurt, looking forward to the next one

[@TyroneLiggians1]

Keep em coming Kurt!!!

[@hotsauce7124]

This is awesome. More info about lighting please. Thank you so much for this.

[@adriancastillo1957]

Great video... quickly becoming my favorite art tutorial KZbinr!

[@SouthSideFrank]

when you put it that way it makes it more digestible.

[@colorwithkurt]

Thanks!

[@DonPablin]

you just make everything different, thank youuu

[@kyraweaver8878]

Thank you! I have a black and white comic that I would love to color but whenever I try it never looks quite right. Looking forward to applying your theory :)

[@rouwler8073]

Made a lot of sense to me and is very insightful and helpful! I’m not a person who considered these principles on instinct sooo over the time u’ve been talking about these concepts in ur videos, I’ve been slowly training myself to think about it, and I can certainly tell an improvement in my art!!!

[@cassbyard]

I think this was a great explanation of color theory! Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to use this in my next project!

[@Fu2reTroublez]

This is great, very interested to dive further into this series. Thank yoh for taking the time to create it

[@landsamtube]

Excellent as always Kurt. Thank you!

[@Smertokot]

Great lesson. I really want more.

[@Just.Celeste]

Makes a lot of sense, it's awesome!

[@igortikho]

Great video, thank you!

[@user-jd2le4do2m]

Great explanation! Thank you so much! Definitely interested in watching more on the subject

[@mihomimikihiro5096]

I wanna more, plsss This is so easy to understand!! Thanks for this video, like.. for real, it saved me hahah

[@karinbufe6631]

Great video, I'm looking forward to seeing more of this!

[@kingofshadows1433]

Excellent video

[@dustnspace]

I feel like the title of this should be something like Choosing colors based on focal points. I find this a very nice analytical breakdown for if you want to use focus as the basis for color choices. A few of my favorite artists don't hardly do this at all though, or it's obviously not why they have chosen their colors. Even though it can be found in lots of art, it seems much more a priority for your industry.

[@colorwithkurt]

Cool. Can you tell me one of those artists? I'd like to check them out

[@dustnspace]

@@colorwithkurt James Jean and Lauren YS (squidlicker on IG). Both very good with color, and even draw from comic art, or other "low brow" art types that would use a lot of focal coloring, but they have their own conceptual experimental color schemes.

[@GrinningFeline]

KMR does it again. Amazing video, dude.

[@colorwithkurt]

Thank you, Tim! More to come.

[@michaelt8954]

Great video, very well explained. Would love to see more like this!!

[@willc3900]

love this so much. holy dern this helped me a lot

[@kurogiza]

Yes please, more of this!

[@jadedone4679]

Your video's help a lot. Thank you for taking the time to teach and doing it in a simple way that is easy to understand. I do hope you continue to do more vids like these.

[@colorwithkurt]

You're very welcome! Yep. More to come.

[@liddokiddos3044]

Pretty cool. Helpful stuff!

[@laurynstone1818]

i really appreciate this simplification of color theory and the way you dissect how youve applied it in previous work. your channel has helped me so much with my coloring decisions!!

[@Aldris777]

Thank you much needed and easy to gather

[@melanye3591]

Oh my, please make more of this! It's really helpful!!