Color Theory Ep. 2 | Split Primary Palette | What Is It? & How To Make One

In the second episode of our color theory series, we take a look at what is so good about the split primary palette, as well as hints and tips on how to put together your own split primary based palette.
Find out what colors I recommend for making a split primary palette with paints from Daniel Smith, Holbein, Sennelier and Schmincke.
** Colors Recommended **
** Daniel Smith Essentials Set **
bit.ly/2FGUdO6
Warm Yellow: New Gamboge bit.ly/2PWQhxd
Cool Yellow: Hansa Yellow Light bit.ly/2zsvdV2
Warm Red: Pyrrole Scarlet bit.ly/2S7n2Ey
Cool Red: Quinacridone Rose bit.ly/2KwjHwh
Warm Blue: French Ultramarine bit.ly/2AnAoW7
Cool Blue: Phthalo Blue Green Shade bit.ly/2P1Xt66
** Daniel Smith Alternative ***
Warm Yellow: Hansa Yellow Mid bit.ly/2P2xlI3
Cool Yellow: Lemon Yellow bit.ly/2DIydj8
Warm Red: Permanent Red bit.ly/2zs1Ylv
Cool Red: Quinacridone Rose bit.ly/2KwjHwh
Warm Blue: Ultramarine Blue bit.ly/2TKqUwN
Cool Blue: Phthalo Blue Green Shade bit.ly/2P1Xt66
** Holbein **
Warm Yellow: Permanent Yellow Deep bit.ly/2Ql6hbU
Cool Yellow: Aureolin (this one is lightfast) bit.ly/2Kyv4np
Warm Red: Scarlet Lake bit.ly/2AmZFQg
Cool Red: Quinacridone Magenta bit.ly/2P1CvnV
Warm Blue: Ultramarine Blue Deep bit.ly/2rcok61
Cool Blue: Phthalo Blue Yellow Shade bit.ly/2An5blN
** Sennelier **
Warm Yellow: Sennelier Yellow Light bit.ly/2TDh6Vz
Cool Yellow: Lemon Yellow bit.ly/2OZT9nJ
Warm Red: Sennelier Red bit.ly/2R8A18Z
Cool Red: Rose Madder Lake (this one is lightfast) bit.ly/2r3x3qR
Warm Blue: French Ultramarine Blue bit.ly/2DMUJrl
Cool Blue: Phthalocyanine Blue bit.ly/2BxtpLY
** Schmincke **
Warm Yellow: Pure Yellow www.jacksonsart.com/schmincke...
Cool Yellow: Lemon Yellow www.jacksonsart.com/schmincke...
Warm Red: Scarlet Red www.jacksonsart.com/schmincke...
Cool Red: Magenta www.jacksonsart.com/schmincke...
Warm Blue: Ultramarine Blue www.jacksonsart.com/schmincke...
Cool Blue: Helio Cerulean www.jacksonsart.com/schmincke...

[@laura3071934]

By far the most easy to understand explanation of what a split primary color wheel is and WHY you want to use one. I’ve spent days looking for this!! THANKS dr. Kano !🙏🏻 🙂

[@EveBolt]

Yes!! Split primary for the win! Really good tip for the layout of the colors in a palette, I gotta remember that one :O

[@OtoKano]

Thanks Eve :D I used to get so confused when it comes time to mix!

[@OtoKano]

**** PLEASE READ **** Since people see colors differently, and of course we all have our color preferences. So if you feel the colors for these six should be different, that is totally ok! I personally prefer cooler yellows than warmer yellows, and so the colors I recommend for both yellows might seem too cool to you. That's ok! Please do what works for you, and only take my suggestion as that - suggestions. What's most important is that you select colors that work for you and make your heart sing in joy 💕💕💕

[@creativesea.design]

I actually have the reds and the blues and the warm yellow from Holbein, but I didn't get Aureolin, instead I opted for Imidazolone lemon for a cool yellow. I wonder what is your take on that color?

[@atelieradela]

Also, since people are watching this on a screen, the colors might vary slightly between different screens. Never trust what you see online, that why there is always a warning when you want to purchase something online, something like: "colors might vary from the online pictures and in real life".

[@OtoKano]

Andreea, that's a great cool yellow color as well!

[@OtoKano]

That's such a great point Ailuro, I'll be sure to mention that in the next video, thank you.

[@atelieradela]

@@OtoKano No problem :D

[@spongebobtanu]

This might be the best explanation I've ever seen on the split primary palette! I always felt the need to have a violet in my palette because I thought you mixed warm triad within itself only and cool triad within itself as well. So of course my violets were never great but now I understand! For my painting subjects which is mostly florals, and in that mostly cool colored florals, the cool triad is the best and I add a turquoise as that is hard to mix (for me anyway). For the last two spots I usually had a violet (which I suppose I could replace with an ultramarine now) and a neutral tint so I didn't have to spend too much time mixing a neutral. I might still keep the violet instead of ultramarine because of my intentions with my palette but it's great to know why I couldn't get the desired results with the cool triad.

[@OtoKano]

So glad you enjoyed the explanation. Yes turquoise is so hard to get right by mixing your own.

[@SabrinaGraham82]

Ugsfugg

[@828burke]

A good way to remember your mixing is that red is "hot" (not warm) and blue is "cold" (not cool). You always mix red with a warm blue or yellow, and you always mix a blue with a cool red or yellow. Yellow just wants to "match" the other colors temperature.

[@misseskval2686]

Oto, this new series of color theory is a winner. The best yet. You just earned a new subscriber. Thanks so very much for all your hard work. It is greatly appreciated.

[@OtoKano]

Awwww so glad you are enjoying the series. Thank you for subbing!

[@SPQRKlio]

Somehow this is the first time I’ve seen a split-primary colour mixing chart that made sense to me and explained it t a glance. I came to a realisation recently that I’d rather have a wide variety of colours-finding interesting single pigment paints is fun-than do much mixing, and I’m still trying to come to terms with that about myself 😊

[@OtoKano]

So glad that the chart made sense. I'm totally with you. I'd rather have many colors that I love, and only do what mixing is necessary with the colors I have.

[@mianoname9825]

Oto, that tip of arranging the colors in the palette so that the top row color mixed with the color right below it gives a vibrant secondary is amazing! I just come from trying that out and it's sooo helpful! I can finally stop trying to remember which mixing recipe gives what I am looking for (vibrant or muted), thank you! I also would like to say that I am enjoying your color theory series very much. I am just learning to use watercolors and your series is totally helpful, concise, well explained and just interesting to watch. Thank you so much for providing it!

[@peggynyhoff4200]

Brilliant teaching! I wish I had learned this as a child. Children are a lot smarter than we think, there are ways to teach this to kids I’m sure. Thank you!

[@PhuongyNguyen97]

I really like the tip for laying out the split primaries in the palette! That will make life sooooo much easier!

[@OtoKano]

So glad you liked that tip Phuong, thank you for watching :D

[@sleepydrJ]

one of the all time best color videos. So straightforward, and such a clean explanation of CMY vs RYB and where they excel.

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

Ive watched five other reels in the last two days and this is the first that really hit home. Thank you so much for talking the time to explain this! The concept of “cool yellow” was something I still have trouble grasping but your examples have really helped.

[@Ceteria5]

Your explaination is the absolute best I've ever heard for a split palate & all your video's I've seen explain everything about color theory much better than I've ever heard. Thank you!

[@ogcidman911]

Your color theory videos have been really helpful. I know most of this stuff but its so beneficial to have it compiled by you. A true artist hero. Thank you!!

[@MyJoyanne]

What a lightbulb moment! I never knew why people have warm and cool primaries in their palette. Thank you so much for this!

[@SAJK0KAT]

This is the best video I have seen about color theory! 🙏

[@helmaschine1885]

I googled which colours windsor & Newton recommend as primaries, and their "Cotman Water Colour 6 colour system" seems to align the best with this split primaries palette you recommend. • Lemon Yellow Hue • Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue • Ultramarine • Intense Blue • Permanent Rose • Cadmium Red Hue definitely going to try that out, since I don't have a lot of money to buy every hue in existence.

[@FayeWulf]

Oh, I'm definitely gonna borrow that palette layout from you! I never thought about that, i always have it as c/w yellow, c/w red and c/w blue in a row.

[@OtoKano]

Please do! It makes bright color mixing so much easier :D

[@GraziaPrimavera]

This is probably one of the best explanation i have come across on the topic, one that breaks down the complex and overwhelming concepts of colour theory from an artist perspective in a way that immediately makes sense and is engaging and logical at once. A must see for beginning artists or anyone wanting to understand the elusive nature of colours. Thank you🙏🌼

[@divamagpayo6377]

Brilliant for the palette layout!

[@anjalianand6253]

Thanks for your tutorials and Happy New Year !

[@debrabartman6749]

Very helpful information. Thank you so much!

[@stacys447]

Thanks for the very clear explanation!

[@threesixfiveart563]

So helpful! Looking forward to the next one!

[@susanphillips323]

Thank you, Dr. Oto! Excellent.

[@lisap5615]

Great color mixing explanations! Thank you.

[@user-cn3ip6ok8p]

Excellent video. Just what I was looking for. Thank you

[@carlycharlesworth1497]

That was amazing! Thank you so much for teaching on this.

[@MrPuddinhead61]

Love the split primary palette organization suggestion! ❤️

[@katherinenoggle6407]

Really useful information- thanks so much for all your hard work!!

[@tiahsian7014]

excellent teaching! thanks!

[@AriellaKK]

I love this, thank you!!

[@danielquebedeaux1835]

This was so helpful and well done!

[@felix-xd4mx]

literally the best video on color palette ever! very amazing

[@tessstarowen6579]

This was a great explanation! Thank you.

[@ranradd]

This is the best color theory tutorial I seen yet. Thank you so much. Awesome series on color.

[@SarahNotSara]

Thank you for the effort and hard work that went into creating this video. It was extremely informative and clearly explained. 💟

[@randmccarley3405]

That palette setup is genius!

[@dymonddozen]

I'm really really glad that you made this episode. I'll definitely be updating my palette soon!

[@lookingup4505]

Your explanation finally made sense of the split palette. Thank you!

[@veystone2580]

Amazing video! Thank u so much!

[@Lifes1BeautifulRide]

This deserves a trophy 🏆👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@fabfoll]

Thanks for the excellent video. Helped me to finally understand about cool and warm colors and their mixtures!

[@krystenfitzpatrick7246]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Your videos are amazing for beginners like me

[@user-zz8pc6lr3w]

Totally agree with many of these comments. After watching dozens of videos on color theory and mixing this has to be best and explained so perfectly. Amazing how much clearer this video made the whole subject. Thank you so much!

[@BeeCeeCreations]

thank you ♥ I have learnt a lot!

[@robincooper9323]

I loved the tip on laying out the colors in the palette. Very useful and helpful. Thank you for an excellent video. I love your teaching style. Thank you for a great series and going through it so thoroughly.

[@evgeniawillis2836]

Very nice explanation, thank you!

[@ConnieVitucci]

Very easy to understand and very helpful! Looking forward to what's next. Thank you. 👍🏻

[@renejantzi7441]

Gosh darn you,re genius! I've never heard or read this so well explained! Each series you do I think it's the best and then you come along with something like this. So so so helpful. Thank you.

[@OtoKano]

Awwww you are so kind Rene, you really made my day! Thank you :D

[@cynthiatrombley6378]

I learned a great deal watching your split colour wheel demonstration, Thank you

[@joyjuler1166]

Great explanation of split primaries. I think I understand it now. Thank you so much for creating and posting these videos!

[@jengoodwyn2715]

This is very helpful, thank you!!

[@annemorgan2928]

Excellent video!! 🇨🇦

[@arcuda2001]

Fabulous!! You are a wonderful teacher !!

[@OtoKano]

Aw arcuda, you are so kind! Thank you :)

[@conversationswithkat5710]

Wow!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@cherylj.harris4967]

Thank you! This is much needed info for me; enhances my understanding of color theory; 'the how' and 'why'.

[@rosannebloompereira536]

Thank you for such a good video re the primary split palette. My understanding of this method is much clearer now.

[@angelabyker1587]

I bought this Daniel Smith set this summer and really loving it! This video is fantastic and really loving your suggestion for travel pallet layout!

[@holdthehalo]

This was such a great video to learn from as a beginner, thank you!

[@christinahutchison3967]

Love this new beginner series I'm looking forward to all the videos.

[@OtoKano]

So glad you are enjoying the series Christina, thank you for watching!

[@danellemalan]

This is incredibly useful. Thank you so much!

[@OtoKano]

So glad it's useful to you Danelle!

[@LisaSandboge]

Brilliant video, thank you! It's very helpful!

[@OtoKano]

So glad you found it helpful Lisa. Thank you for watching this video!

[@joanstockton2186]

The clearest simplest thorough explanation yet, I can absorb that and use it. It doesn't get any better than that. Brilliantly done!

[@glorioskiola]

Great video, thanks!

[@vedatkonyali]

Thank you very much for this vitally important information. I watched all of your perfectly prepared CT videos. Very very very useful. And Great work.

[@CyberMaddenus]

This is good. I've never seen the information on the red/blue combination before. Thank-you.

[@stellabelikiewicz1523]

Yaaaaay! The videos you make that explore how to think about the properties of watercolor are just so fantastic! And, that palette layout suggestion is sneakily brilliant!

[@OtoKano]

So glad you are enjoying the series Stella. Happy to hear that my tip helps :D

[@tessellatiaartilery8197]

Outstanding video, so rich in info. Best explanation I've ever seen on this . Thank you very much for your work helping us understand this.

[@claudiaacciolyconstantinid9023]

Again, thank you very much for your great and clear explanation! I’m a beginner and I’m learning a lot with you! 💖

[@MissMarck]

I learned soooo much!! Thank you for sharing all of this!

[@OtoKano]

Aw I am so glad Miss Marck! Thank you for watching :D

[@KatkaSuriKatka]

This was just so informative and well explained! Going to try it out in a few minutes :D

[@alisonhendry2928]

I must second the statement that is the best and clearest explanation of the split primary EVER! Thank you! At last it make sense! I am going to go play with paint now....

[@maryhall916]

Loved this video. I think I finally understand. Can’t wait till the next one. I have a new little metal palette I’ve been wanting to set up but confused about how to start.

[@OtoKano]

So glad you get it now :D Thank you for watching the series Mary!

[@barbaracallan7672]

This is a very well explained video 👍🏻

[@annelouise4639]

Excellent information! I had no idea why I sometimes got a murky purple and sometimes made a pretty purple.💜 Btw, thanks to you, I am now addicted to Daniel Smith watercolours. 😉 Started off with the Essentials and Primatek sets, then the Alvarez set - amazingly, there are no colour double-ups! I now have a small bundle of tubes on the way from Jackson's, thanks to the free comprehensive DS dot cards that came with the sets. Thank you so much for introducing me to them! 😀👍

[@OtoKano]

So happy to hear that you've figured out about mixing purples!

[@sherrikent6628]

So helpful. ❤❤❤

[@yeshonestly4268]

Best video. Thank you

[@marmar1293]

This helped me so much 🙏 thank you so much for making these videos

[@OtoKano]

You are so welcome Lewd, thanks for watching!

[@lynnebell5425]

This is the best explanation and reason for having a split primary colour palette I have seen or read. Thank you.

[@lesliesamet]

I can't express how happy I am to have found this video. It answered a very large question of how/what I had been doing wrong. Funny, how no one else I have found covered this. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

[@terrymeechan2998]

Another great lesson. Mahalo!

[@SusanMJB45]

Excellent !!!

[@ceec165]

very informative video. I learned a lot and the tip on how to place the pans in the palette for easy mixing is awesome! Thank you.

[@OtoKano]

Aw so happy to hear that Cee, thank you for watching!

[@kkcreativekk]

Out of all the attempts I have made to learn the split primary palette from different sources, your explanation was like manna from heaven! So easy to understand. Got it!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

[@FarlyCreates]

I love the split primary! Very lovely video and easy to follow along!

[@OtoKano]

So glad you like it too. It's the perfect base of any palette.

[@seijurogou256]

first of all, THANK YOU SO MUCH! i've been painting on and off for a long time now and never learnt colour theory and it's something i only recently started looking into. i'm still working my way through watching your whole colour theory series but i must say, thank youuuu very much for suggesting how to lay out the split primary colours! (starting around 11.00) i've been trying to find a way to lay them out in my palette for a while now and nothing seemed to work. i'll try your suggested method and see how that works for me but i think it will work wonders! thank you again!

[@adnil651]

I have been studying the split primary palette for a month now, and Dr. Oto's lesson is the best explanation I have seen, heard, or read. Her notes accompanying the video are so helpful. Thanks, Dr.!! You are an amazing teacher.

[@jalh3]

Best video I've seen regarding color theory for watercolors. Thank you and I've already recommended it to a friend.

[@OtoKano]

So glad you found it useful Anita, thank you for sharing it with your friend :)

[@5starorchid]

While I'm new to art and color theory, I'm glad that you made this video and explaining it in detail and so clearly! As a visual learner, your video helped so much! If you have an online beginner class on color theory and art, I'll be taking it in a flash! Thank you so much for your videos, which I just stumbled today!

[@lakshminarayanashadagopan1498]

Thank you

[@sallybroster3567]

Very helpful!

[@Pinkstarpirate]

I've used a split primary palette for a long time, but that color positioning is brilliant and I'm going to immediately switch the positions on my palette to match this. Thank you!

[@asESUas24]

Oto, thank you very very much for such a great explanation!

[@OtoKano]

You are so welcome Gintarine! Thank you for watching it :)

[@melissabridge5687]

This is awesome for Split Primary pallets. I have these colors in W&N pro. Im going to use you suggestion about color order in my pallet. Thank you!!!

[@jjordansartorio2912]

Omg youve helped me a lot. Im still intimidated with buying so many colors and ive jut got a warm and cool red.. i hated what the warm red was mixing and thought i jist got a bad color. This cleared everything up. Thank you very much

[@heidicook2211]

Thank you so much! It makes this idea so much easier to understand. I truly appreatiate it.

[@OtoKano]

You are so welcome Heidi, so glad it is easier to understand now :D

[@heidicook2211]

@@OtoKano 💖⚘

[@carmenzaldivar4393]

I wish I had seen this video long ago. Thank you soooo much .You are and amazing teacher I 'v finely untangled my confusion. Thank you againg and againg.

[@annebaiel]

Such an informative video, thank you! I paused it and immediately rearranged my 6 primaries in my palette 😂. Makes so much sense.

[@TsukabuNosoratori2]

I love videos like this that explain colour theory. Every artist brings their own take of colour mixing theory to the table. I got a twelve colour porcelain palette that I got this summer and I decided to have it contain the basic warm colours and cool colours, plus pthalo blue and green and Manganese blue. It's been helping teach me so much about colour mixing and boosting my confidence.

[@OtoKano]

That sounds like a lovely palette Tsukabu!