COLOR THEORY BASICS: Use the Color Wheel & Color Harmonies to Choose Colors that Work Well Together

Learn color theory and how to choose colors that work well together: with the color wheel, color harmonies and color palettes.
See the written version on the blog: sarahrenaeclark.com/color-the...
Get the PDF Workbook: sarahrenaeclark.com/shop/colo...
Get The Color Catalog that was mentioned in this video: sarahrenaeclark.com/color-pal...
Have you ever wondered how some artists are able to find perfect color combinations that just seem to work, every time? In this video, I’m going to show you how to use the color wheel and color harmonies to choose color combinations that look GOOD.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Basic color theory: What is the color wheel?
- What are the primary colors?
- What are secondary and tertiary colors?
- What is the difference between hue, color saturation, color value, and color temperature?
- What is the difference between warm red and cool red?
- What are color harmonies?
- What are monochromatic colors?
- What are complementary colors?
- What is a split-complementary color scheme?
- What is a triadic color scheme?
- What are tetradic colors?
- What are analogous colors?
- How can I use color harmonies to choose colors?
- How can I use color palettes?
We’ll cover the 6 different types of color harmonies, including plenty of example color palettes:
1. Monochromatic colors
2. Complementary colors
3. Split-complementary colors
4. Triadic colors
5. Tetradic colors
6. Analogous colors
We’ll be using the traditional RYB color wheel throughout this video, with the primary colors Red, Yellow and Blue. There are other color wheels (RGB and CMY) that are often used for better color mixing, but the RYB color wheel is still the best for working with color harmonies.
If you want to take a deeper dive into the other color wheels and color theory, check out my next video here: • Controversial Color Th...
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[@BTS-4eva]

My art teacher is forcing me to watch this

[@rage8673]

Your teacher is great if he/she is making you watch interactive videos to teach Instead of being ignorant teaching like he has 0 motivation.

[@BTS-4eva]

@@rage8673 nah man we just watch this everday and she just lets us play on our phones we do nothing i wish we did actual projects

[@ammarabbasy1130]

Same 😂

[@lillyrose1422]

Awww...😢😂😂😂

[@montemccall910]

if it doesn't come natural this video is a great learning experience keep going there is much to explore, endless creation

[@cinderblockstudios]

Even as an experienced painter, I found this really refreshing to go back to listen to!

[@mortenlund1418]

Wow, just wow. How can you compress so much great information in such a comprehensive way. Thank you for this - thank you.

[@devanshsinhal3490]

you’re really invested in this video

[@Dopeassjournals]

Yes! I am a new art teacher and I could have never explained it this thoroughly in five minutes. Amazing!❤

[@d4rkuniverse_224]

She is the art teacher we all needed but never had

[@okellocarlsonedwin]

So far the best color lesson i have ever watched in KZbin, every explanation is on point. Thanks..

[@jmminion9870]

THIS IS THE BEST, SIMPLE YET COMPREHENSIVE AND CREATIVE WAY OF DISCUSSING COLOR THEORY🥰🥰🥰 I UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING JUST IN 7 MINUTES 💕

[@trapez77]

. [Brightest] / _WARM_ Yellow / / Orange Chartreuse / Red [Mid-Grey] Green / Magenta Cyan / / Blue _COOL_ / [Darkest] .

[@drviagrin3798]

I'll second that!

[@stephierwjones]

I TOTALLY, TOTALLY AGREE!!!! I love it when I learn something and I just did with this one.

[@PichuElric]

This is going to be so helpful for not only drawing, but also determining what colours go well in an outfit! Thank you, you packed so much information into a clean cut video!

[@Portia620]

This is so true and something I never had the opportunity to learn but now I am!!!!

[@trapez77]

. [Brightest] / _WARM_ Yellow / / Orange Chartreuse / Red [Mid-Grey] Green / Magenta Cyan / / Blue _COOL_ / [Darkest] .

[@EthanMckennaMusic]

This is prolly out of left field, but I'm a songwriter and this is giving me new ideas for using the circle of 5ths like a color wheel. Very cool

[@hannahrose5739]

I too am a musician, but don't quite get the comparison with the circle of fifths. (What is it you're planning to do, may I ask?). However, one thing I got from being a musician that I apply to lettering (and I realize we're into color theory here, but maybe it applies, too) is: you probably have to "see" something BEFORE you create it on paper, just like a musician "hears" a note before it's played/sung. How do you see that?

[@vocalchords3609]

To add a dollop of encouragement, absolutely right and in fact extend further into modes within a given key and the parallels extend also. You and I know that the choice of key is massively important to the look and feel of what a composer is seeking to 'say' or the emotional context. I am giving a lecture very soon with a Clinical Psychologist who includes in her clinical practice - Art Therapy. She and I will be co-operating between colours, colour harmonies, dissonance - using examples from the world of the French Impressionists (composers and artists). In other words Ethan - go and have more fun with the Circle of 5ths! Endless jot in the creative process. ATB

[@eileenjake5603]

Absolutely cool. It’s all connected…the values of color, the values of musical chords…can be scientifically assigned and measured and plotted , and what we see are the patterns of the universe. You’re an artist.

[@arlenethude]

What is prolly?

[@eileenjake5603]

@@arlenethude slang for “probably”

[@PeacockPigment]

In scrapbooking, color matching is always the hardest thing for me! I'm going to try referencing these various color wheels. Thank you for the tips!

[@nathaliacalmon]

Totally the best explanation on the subject I've seen so far. I feel I'll never forget it anymore :o Thank you!!

[@realMartinHamilton]

The best video on the basics and foundational building blocks of actionable uses of color coordination. Thank you!

[@bonniek356]

This was so helpful! I needed the reminder about color harmonies. I’m a painter so I use these principles daily in the back of my mind, but I love videos like this one that remind me to use colors intentionally.

[@lilmuffin4834]

omg this finally is what i needed, every color theory tutorial only tells you basics on color mixing and not the things that you actually should know that nobody shows, thanks sarah once again

[@projectiledreamz]

Blown away by the simplicity in the explanation!

[@changchesserly7591]

What a well explained and easy to understand tutorial! Thanks for dymysifying color therapy in a simple way ... 💕

[@MichealSeaghdha]

If voices were colours, yours would be bright and vivid and undoubtedly part of a wonderful colour scheme. That was a brilliant explanation and the visuals were helpful, interesting and terrific. Thank you!

[@BNJewelryandArtwork]

As a hair colorist for the last 30 years I can totally relate to this. I use this for my jewelry and paintings as well.

[@cocostub]

this is probably my favorite video i’ve discovered in ages. I’m a visual person and the graphics in this video are just amazing!!!!

[@eamoroso56]

Thank you, I’ve always struggled with color with all crafts, knitting crocheting, quilting and now jewelry beading.

[@HairsbychristineFrank]

I’ve looked at a ton of videos, but this one is very clean and concise! Love it

[@KG-zk3pv]

WOW!! Thank you for finally clearing up, definitively and succinctly, one of biggest mysteries in my ability to apply colour combinations for so many purposes. SO grateful.

[@lauzthorbzarella4655]

I am amazed by a lot of these comments. Colour theory is what I always go by for interior, fashion etc. The colour wheel book was one of my favourites to look at when visiting boring DIY stores with my parents as a kid. It's a pity that preschools and early years primary schools don't use this as part of education. So much can be achieved by this knowledge in various industries. I'm a home educator, this video is simple for my little ones to learn. I love wowing friends with colours they would never believe go together. This video is simply going to educate them. Thank you. I love it.

[@silver10188]

can't thank you enough, I'm a mobile app developer who deals with colors a lot, I always resort to color sites for inspirations, but now I have new way to look at it.

[@SICresinwrks]

You nailed this vid, ive seen so many people in school, here on yt and irl talk about the color wheel and over complicate it, you made a nice clear and very helpful video for beginners and anyone that just wants to refresh their memory.

[@theHoneyandAbsinthe]

This is so important for beginner creatives to learn and experienced ones to review! Awesome video!

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Thanks! It helped me to review it too as I was making it 😝

[@michiganlighthouse]

So true. I thought I knew color wheel just fine, but I didn't know as much as I thought I did. So helpful. Theory goes a long way when presented like this.

[@juliearanha4373]

Love this video and how you've explained it in a simple manner although it's a complex topic. It will certainly help me in my art journey. Thank you so much ❤️

[@castilloaragonesluis]

thank you Sarah! today, i start as beginner, and i feel more confident on how to use the colors and how to mixed them. now it's practice.

[@yunelle]

Wow, even as a more advanced artist, I've learned a lot here... So much information in such a short, coherent and well-paced video, amazing!!

[@amazon_sloth7855]

Im good at drawing/sketching on paper and lately ive been trying to start digital drawing, ive seen other videos discussing colour theory but this might be the most simple while still informative video ive seen.

[@douba_plusa]

This was so clear and helpful! I’m making a booklet with images and information about my diet to share with family/family friends as my health now requires a pretty restrictive diet. They want to help and I wanted to present everything in a clear, but visually appealing way. I especially loved the explanation of color relationships as I hadn’t heard of a lot of them before

[@tijanacresenzi6035]

I'm so glad I ran into this video first! I just started learning about color theory and this video really made me understand the basics of color wheels and color harmonies. Thank you!

[@ikechukwukingsley2534]

This is a very power key for colour use in graphics design. Splendid. Kudos @Sarah Renae Clark.

[@YuliaTarbath]

Thank you for explaining it so well with great visualization! Hope to start using it!

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Yulia Tarbath thank you!

[@arkm11]

Finally! So far the simplest breakdown of this information. I have been struggling so much understanding this. ❤️ Could you also make a video to help understand color mixing?

[@viviwilhelmsson307]

Finally a video with all the concepts! Now my confusion can probably be cleared up! Many thanks!

[@elenaborowski2520]

Thank you. That sounds great. Your presentation elaborates upon the usual and simplifiesd color wheel. Very helpful.

[@jessbooth5495]

This is the clearest explanation I’ve seen. Thank you ☺️ I’ve been trying to upgrade my artist style and this is so helpful! 👏

[@eevagirl]

Such a fantastic video. Have never been interested in colour-in books until this. Makes it all so much more interesting! Thank you

[@craigdurso3005]

Sir Issac Newton is surely humbled by taking something seemingly so complex and rendering it in such simple terms ... take a deep bow and thank you 👍

[@victoriabarclay3556]

I never learned the wheel. It was always mysterious to me. This is so helpful! I’m. Be rewatching this a lot

[@maisiecat71]

Excellent comprehensive video Sarah. Thank you. ❤

[@MZZ0797]

Your explanation of the color wheel was just the help I needed for new looks in my wardrobe! Thank you for putting such a great video together!

[@173jaSon371]

Been doing photography, specifically wildlife with a spritz of nature/landscapes mixed in for a couple of years now. I'm always trying to learn more and think about things from other angles and perspectives to improve my work, and this video just blew my mind. Obviously it can be a bit tougher to incorporate specific colors into every photo than it is for an artist to just make another color on their wheel, but I still took a lot away from such a short and concise video. Now that it's spring, I've been focusing a lot more on getting a nice array of colors in my images to improve the dynamic range of them, which makes them more visually appealing most of the time. Going to be coming back to this one a number of times to refresh on it.

[@skylovecraft2491]

I watch A LOT of artist KZbinrs for tips and tutorials, reviews and unboxing and you are my absolute FAVORITE by far!! I really trust you and your art is just fantastic!💖

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Yay! Thank you!

[@DannyDavies23]

Wow! Thank you so much! This is the clearest guide on colour theory I’ve seen to date.

[@libbyhime1702]

Wow. As an artist, I never knew any of this but I intuitively picked up on monochromatic, complementary and analogous colours. Now I learned of three more. Thank you.

[@sheepnhaystacks]

Thank you for the refresh on this! Picking color is so important and I've gotten lazy. I feel like it's time to branch out! Have a great week!

[@judithfernandes9279]

Thank you for creating such a simple to understand comprehensive video on color theory.

[@margoomahony9565]

So much info in such short time, loved this! Thanks 🙏🏽 ❤

[@harshitaray9122]

This was great knowledge and especially knowing how much it is used around our daily basis is even so fascinating.... Analogous colors are mostly used to color our homes in designs these days and it's wonderful how it all comes together..... This was as useful as it was fun to learn.... Loved it ❤️

[@sarahbrowett1371]

Wow, I've been waiting years to understand colours in this amazing clear educational video... #grateful thank you!!!

[@EricPham-gr8pg]

Thanks. This is one of tge most clear and comprehensive presentation in the subject... Worth million views...

[@Ar.Ankit_Verma]

Thank you 1000x, I have watched a lot of videos, book, architectural faculty, designer’s guide but nothing worked for me, this video solved everything, really thank you so much again🙏

[@maryzwolak7960]

Thank so much Sarah. I am a color theory newbie even though 69 years old I’ve never had any instruction. I feel that with your videos and questions that you I have answered for me that I just might be learning something thank you so much again.

[@shivaasrari8854]

Thank you so much. It was well explained in a short time. Now i am excited to start experimenting with colors.😊🙏❤️

[@haydee84]

Omg! This video is amazing. Thank you for explaining the content very easily and accurately. 🙌🏻💕

[@MsBetsy2011]

You have explained this subject in an understandable way. Thank you. I learned a lot, not enough, but a lot. I'll check out your other videos.

[@eloisabarretodesigns]

This is THE BEST explanation video of Color Theory I’ve ever seen!!!!! Thank you!!!

[@rbalvedi282]

Amazing video, really well written, edited and very clear, straight to the point. Thank you! :D

[@suebungay58]

This video was so easy to follow and very informative. I have absolutely no idea how to color coordinate and this has really helped solve that problem. Thank you so much.

[@veraprokic4185]

very interesting and informing particularily the advice on how to form/choose palettes. Great experience!

[@chetanshyaranal3762]

It is one of the best video I have ever seen on colour theory which explained the required basic things in an easiest way. I love the way you explained the things ☺️☺️. Thank you so much for such an amazing representation ✊✊. lots of love 💚💚

[@downloadiam4874]

Oh my god. You helped me a lot. Im always confused abt what colors I should use when I did my scrapbook and it took me a lot of time. Now I can choose more quickly and the colors will be well organized. Thank you 🌼🌼🌼

[@lorayapp375]

This is the best color theory explanation that I have ever seen. Thank you.

[@youtubewithlouis50]

My teacher use this video to explain us about the color theory and I was trying to find it now its 1 day before art exam glad i found it the video is very simple but very useful keep up the amazing work.

[@manumurthy6420]

This is great. To the point, clear and concise. Well done !

[@PCGEEK2024]

This was a clear explanation of colour. Thanks for your video.

[@Rime_in_Retrograde]

So useful, and the visuals were lovely! It really helped clear things up. I had taken a class years ago that included a section on color harmonies, and it didn't explain it as clearly.

[@fabled-pilgrim]

Best explanation of colour theory I've ever found, excellent presentation!

[@AvalynGirl]

Best explanation I have seen for this EVER. Thank you!

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Thank you!

[@adrianwilliams763]

The best explanation I’ve heard. This video is a keeper.

[@shirobeju7896]

Best explanation of color wheel I ever seen. Thanks so much!

[@Edcabraltv]

Brilliant first Principles video on colour theory. Just amazing 👏 😍 🙌 ❤️ thank you!

[@nopenah2957]

BEST KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ALL COLORS ONE COULD GATHER . THANKS A LOT .

[@slfanta]

Wow this is such a life saver video on colors, super concise and helpful

[@pranjalshelar3830]

Best color Harmony video on KZbin... I wandered a lot... Thank you

[@kristymabe8477]

Thanks so much for this video! I was just getting started picking colors for a new project and this is very helpful!

[@lightstreetcreations]

great video! this is just what i needed to pick the colors I want to use.

[@sahasram5526]

the information is so good. i a mso excited for trying the harmones. am sure my work will look 100 time better after these tips

[@RosyRosie42]

This is the best explanation I’ve come across. Thank you!

[@MaxxRemKing1]

Thanks to this video, this is the first time I’ve ever felt like I can understand color theory!

[@michelledvorsky9121]

This was an excellent explanation for color theory basics. Thank you:)

[@nm9412]

Wow I love this video about colors! Thank you for sharing this!

[@noushinrafia9593]

ATE. Thankyou for the video. It inspired me to start working and trying atleast a few times more after messing up colours and almost giving it up. Just the needed information!! ❤

[@seunkoleosho5672]

I watched this video about a year ago on another site for my exams which helped me a lot. Now I'm seeing it here and I'm shocked because I've been subscribed to you before that and I didn't know you were the one! OMG!

[@edgartorne3538]

Thank you for this useful video! I'm going to have so much fun putting it into practice.

[@defender_of_wonder]

This is absolutely brilliant!! Thank you for sharing 🥰

[@Dailydevotion_2024]

Amazing video...thankyou for making it so simple. Have subscribed you after watching it. It's great for beginners

[@YesToTech]

Loved learning more about the color wheel! This is super interesting! Thanks so much for sharing! Subscribed and can't wait to watch more! :)

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Thank you!

[@yahirivillegas781]

the best video about this topic, thank you!

[@teri9636]

Very comprehensive and organized! Thanks for breaking it down.

[@keithaguilar1354]

Excellent Video. One of the best out there. Will be using in my classroom. Just the right amount of information without the video being too long for all the short attention spans I have to deal with.

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Glad it was helpful!

[@salemhailu11-11]

This is the best video I ever came across on color theory. Thank you.

[@peanuttheyorkie]

The simple and core video to learn about colours!

[@akshaymagar4368]

Learned so much from this video. Simple and clear ❤️

[@lindamckendree2991]

This is really well done! Thank you sooo much!! Be well.❤️

[@lillyrose1422]

Your video was so easy and educational! I was entertained and educated at the same time! Thank you!❤❤❤

[@Henbot]

Really great video and well-made and concise as well as clear, learned a lot

[@SarahAndBoston]

Awesome video! Great graphics and perfectly explained. Thanks.

[@heartsandwhodunits8813]

Thanks for this video. It was a great refresher on the color wheel.