A crash course in Color Theory for artists

Ever gone to a museum and wondered how your favorite artists always magically chose the most beautiful colors? Is choosing color overwhelming and do you feel lost trying to figure out a harmonious color palette for your art? Today we're talking about color theory, one of the most important skills I've learned in my career as an artist and as a designer. You'll learn the basics of the color wheel and how to build colors from the 3 primary colors and you'll also learn about some of the most common color pairings and how to create a beautiful color palette for your next art project. So sit down, get a fresh cup of coffee or tea and let's dive in with this video!
Xo
Margot
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:04 The Color Wheel
08:03 Analogous Colors
09:53 Complementary Colors
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WHERE TO FIND ME
Instagram : / pointebrush
Website : pointebrushnyc.com/
Subscribe to this Channel : bit.ly/3r6t765
Facebook : / pointebrushnyc
Pinterest : / pointebrush. .
Contact me : pointebrushnyc.com/pages/contact
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SUPPLIES FROM THIS VIDEO
-- Paper --
Strathmore 300 Series Paper : bit.ly/3vUpP8e
-- Paint --
Holbein Gouache & Sets : bit.ly/3ttYIiE
W&N Gouache : bit.ly/3erycSB
-- Brush --
Escoda Versatil Round 6 Brush : bit.ly/3bcnKfY
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ABOUT ME
My name is Margot and I am a designer and ballet dancer. I started Pointebrush as a side project and outlet for me to hone my skills as an illustrator and painter. Ballet and dance have long been a passion for me and as a dancer myself, I think it brings another dimension altogether when the artist understands the movements and technique require in order to perform the movements that look so beautiful to audiences.
I graduated from Parsons School of Design with a degree in Communication Design and went on to work at several large design firms before starting my own design business. As a child, I studied ballet but decided that pursuing dance as a vocation was not something for me. Many years later, I have returned to dancing ballet recreationally and incorporate my inspiration into the many paintings and sketches I share online and on social media.
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*Disclaimer: Pointebrush is a participant in the Blick Art Materials affiliate program. An affiliate advertising program is designed to provide a means for creators to earn fees by linking to products they recommend on Blick.com. The cost to you for these products is the same, but Pointebrush earns a small commission which helps support the creation of these videos and content.

[@xiaoyishan6500]

Just wonderful! clear, simple yet sophisticated explanation and demonstration of the color theory and how they work! Great teaching! hope you keep making contents about tips and practice of how to make great art works! Thank you for sharing ♥

[@noralockspeed]

Graceful, peaceful and on point! Best tutorials ever! ❤

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you! ❤️🙏🥰

[@leojablonski2309]

She, unlike most other art instructors, connects the dots in a logical progression. Bless her.

[@sandraneale128]

First time I have understood the colour wheel and the supporting colours! You are are a marvellous teacher! Bless you❤️🦋

[@vebutler8957]

I love your teaching style and I’m a classical music buff so loving the presentation x

[@LearnTigrignawithAfro]

The way you teach is magnifique...for real I ain't interested in design but once I come across to ur channel I decided to learn graphics design and to start with your videos which is mostly about color theory...u r such great teacher with nice voix.....greetings from ethiopia

[@patriciatolliver4057]

Patty-This was awesome. I'm going to watch this again and follow along with you. I love the examples you painted that went along with the exercise.

[@iadenicole931]

Such a great presentation. Your examples and explanations will help a lot of people starting out. Your pieces also, are beautiful.

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you! Color is the driving force in all my art. It’s a privilege to share what I know about it 🥰😘

[@reynaldo4886]

I was literally about to comment the same thing! Beautiful explanation

[@SuperExadidas]

Thank you Margot. Hoping you can explain the cool and warm primary colors.

[@shubhrasharma5889]

Love your videos....want to ask how did you create the muted and muddied colours in complementary....can you do a video on creating and mixing of colours?

[@klea6133]

Thank you for the presentation of the color wheel and how to choose colors that work together. I’m sure it’s going to be very helpful as it has made color theory more clear to me.

[@Pointebrush]

I’m so glad it helped! Hopefully you can go into your color choices with a little added confidence and insight 🙏❤️

[@Tracy_Catchpole_Art]

Really elegantly described - love the music too...

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you so much dear Tracy 😘🙏

[@FAMEAcademyNY]

If you were my third grade teacher, I would be a world genius!!! EXCELLENT VIDEO!!! Thank You!!!!

[@altheaboothe7251]

I love learning from you.

[@Gigiridgway]

Just love it

[@gayleselby1665]

Thank you! This is the second best video I’ve seen on color! The best was your video Lon One teaches color theory like this”! I so appreciate your videos and your clear, concise, and professional delivery!

[@natashafranko4951]

Thank you very much , you explained the colour wheel in such a useful helpful way. Also it was very interesting to see how to actualy use a colour wheel.

[@nydiamontanez8025]

Great presentation. Thanks for sharing.

[@nyuuuchan]

I absolutely adore your use of colours in all of your paintings, Margot. You are also a great teacher and very generous in sharing your expert knowledge. Thanks so much 🌟

[@mieczyslawapascoe7234]

Wonderfully put colour theory. I love the tip about stars and supporting cast - so important but so overlooked by me. Thank you so much for bringing it to our attention.

[@juliebrocklehurst-woods5247]

Just great, this made sense of all the other color mixing information that left me hanging. Not sure how the concept of warm and cool colors fits in.

[@crystaltanart]

GREAT Class Margot! You're truly an expert!

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you Crystal! Love your latest floral tutorial! Such lovely blooms 🌹

[@leojablonski2309]

The ability to connect with audience is a rare gift

[@TresCherie]

Just the touch of spring I needed!

[@Pointebrush]

Happy to help! 💐

[@katiatzo]

Thank you!

[@user-ce2kb9nl5o]

Thank you so much for this informative video! So helpful.

[@disneylobo8498]

Thank you Margot for this great educational video, it's very detailed and easy to understand.

[@maureenosborne_artist]

Thanks!!!😊

[@user-zh2fy2dp1b]

Very useful and informative! Thanks!

[@damiamartin3172]

this is really helpful-thank you!

[@karenphipps902]

The best explanation I’ve ever seen. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@DeborahHillman-gr8uo]

Thank you so much for this lesson! Unfortunately my knowledge about complementary colors has been, “mixing complementary colors = brown(yuck!)”! Or, “use complementary colors to mute each other (a less vibrant version of the the color being used). I see I’ve been missing out! I am so happy to have found your channel! Your work is such a pleasure to look at and your approach to watercolor seems to be a collaborative effort in which you allow the colors to be the 🌟, and your encouragement of shapes and combinations of colors is the supporting role. I was, (as I am a beginner), approaching the art with the understanding that I am the 🌟, and the colors and shapes need me to push them where they are “supposed” go. Therefore, making me stressed and feeling kind of “less than” because my results were anything but creative! I hope this made sense. I felt I had to try and explain this so you can now take the credit (and be the 🌟) for opening my eyes and I can give the colors their rightful place and take the pressure off of me. I can't wait to sit down and create my chart of “supporting characters”! Thanks so much!! You are an inspiration!

[@leojablonski2309]

Thankyou for the lucid explanation....write a book !

[@ingridtobar4469]

I love this song but I cannot for the life of me remember its name! But it kept me vibing the whole time. Thank you!

[@eleniantoniou8287]

Explained perfectly, easy to understand.. I’m sure anyone with ADHD will really appreciate 🙌🙏🏼❤️

[@playboy8303]

Awesome tutorial. Thanks

[@gartlande]

So do the neutrals always come from the mixing of complimentary colors? And where do white and black fit in? Also, I have to friends who are always at odds whether the combination of brown and purple works or not. Judging by the color theory, it looks like they do go together!

[@thepurpleenigma]

Margot, I am just in love with your channel at the moment! I have sort of a nerdy question - lol. I notice you have these small cards that are like swatches of the colors you use and you label them (which is really smart) - and keep them in a cute little box. I want to do the same as I develop my own custom mixes and want to remember what I did to achieve a certain result. Do you make your own little cards by just cutting larger ones up, or is there a place/brand I can find that pre-makes these in bulk? I have searched high and low online for some like what you have and just can't come up with anything! Thank you!

[@francoisederocher]

I saw your question, so I tell you what I do: I cut my swatches with a paper cutter . They are not expensive and easy to use to cut cards or trim edges.( About $ 20)

[@shadowguard3578]

Thank you for the video. I just finished watching it. I’m still trying to work out the purpose of color theory and it’s uses. Is color theory useful when painting from real life or from imagination, illustrations, abstract art etc? I still don’t understand the purpose or logic behind color theory and why color theory exists? Is it to help the artist decide which colors mesh together and or contrast well? I’m not sure I’m making any sense! 😊

[@Pointebrush]

It’s helpful for both! And I’m thankful for your comment because I noticed that there are a lot of videos about color theory but not so much about how to use it in real life examples so that’s definitely something I want to help explain! But to quickly answer your question, yes! It’s to help pick colors that go well together in pretty much every situation whether it’s a real life subject, an imaginary design or even color mixing. Excited to tackle this subject further!

[@shadowguard3578]

@@Pointebrush thank you for your reply and you’re welcome! I’m looking forward to any videos you make about color theory to unblock my mental block about color theory! ☺️

[@najmussaherchishti-nf3rb]

The video i was looking for

[@theonlycontessa8771]

Excellent❤

[@astrobubbers]

I really like this video but you didn't show how you mix the complimentary colors during the last exercise. Did you take the *starring* color and add its complimentary color to get the pallet of colors? how did you do that?

[@saimajawaid5626]

Very good class 👍🏼👍🏼.. no need for music 🎶 ..

[@shannahmatecun9996]

❤️

[@smithahs2917]

Plz do tutorials about shading techniques while painting with watercolors. Thanks.

[@jeffiner9947]

Do you have a video teaching how to get the paint from tubes and into a pallet ? This is a very beginner kind of question. Do I put a lot in? Do I let it dry ? What do I need to know

[@darkopesevski9829]

why don't you show us how you make those "supporting cast " colours Margot?

[@lisap5615]

Which colors do you recommend to use as the primary red, yellow, and blue? Thank you.

[@Pointebrush]

Video coming out today answering that exact question! So stay tuned!

[@sharonelliott1075]

If you were making a color wheel for yourself would you use warm or cool primary colors or maybe two separate wheels, one warm one cool?

[@dottieburns3420]

I agree with a couple others, I’m not understanding how you developed the ‘supporting’ colors. I’d appreciate anyone’s feedback.

[@renmuffett]

So what are the pigment numbers on the tube of your red yellow and blue?

[@Pointebrush]

Sure thing! So for the red, I used W&N Primary red gouache (PR-170 Naphtol Red), for the yellow W&N Primary yellow gouache (PY1 Hansa Yellow G) and Holbein Primary Cyan (PB-15 Phtalo). Hope that helps!!

[@gabreanuana-maria8361]

Can these rules apply also in make-up?😊

[@askialuna7717]

It happened to me while painting that I wanted to mix a dirty orange brown and violet is the complementary colour of yellow and consists of blue and red and mixed with yellow there would be a dirty green grey, I thought if I mixed magenta with yellow would result in a brownish orange, because magenta contains a bluish part, but that didn't happen, and I mixed red O_o. I thought this is not possible because red is one of the primary colours. I then mixed in more yellow and a bit of the turquoise, and then had my brownish orange.

[@Pointebrush]

There’s a fair amount of experimentation and adjusting when you mix colors because they can deviate based on exactly what pigments you’re using. Definitely the more comfortable you become with the color wheel the easier it will be to make adjustments along the way if the colors are turning out slightly off from what you’re looking for 😉

[@debbrantstevens8826]

Wish you lost the music! So hard to hear what you are saying over the din in places.

[@j3in725]

It's fine

[@majcik2354]

I very much enjoy hearing Chopin in the background

[@redrugglesfive1952]

I hate when they do this too.

[@litabelaqua]

Love your videos but the background music can be very unsettling. I end up feeling stressed by it

[@krimke881]

Background music awfully disturbes the narrative. bummer.

[@kimfitt8437]

Thank you!

[@Pointebrush]

You're welcome!