Color Wheel Mixing Guides

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If you’ve been dabbling in art with a pencil or pen, it may be intimidating to start using color.

Many art students are comfortable drawing, but quickly become mired down when it comes to color creation.

Color theory is one of the basics of painting, so students need to make color creation second nature.

Not only does this take practice, but study aids such as books and color wheels will make blending the right color a fun and useful experiment.

Quickly Reference the Right Color

Color wheels are economical, compact and easy to use. They pack into your paint box to take on the road or lay on your table or tabouret as you paint. Color guides are great to hang on the wall next to your easel or desk. They’re a quick reference that can save time and aggravation when trying to find just the right color.

Color Theory Books

A Color Theory Book is an important item for a student artist to add to his collection of study guides and reference materials. You may know the basic ‘red plus yellow equals orange’ theory, but a professional artist takes color seriously and learns as much as possible.

A trio of these color guides and references will go a long way in giving your studies a real boost.

The Color Wheel Company Artist Mixing Guide Color Wheel

The Color Wheel Company Artist Mixing Guide Color Wheel Color Wheel (ASIN: B000BR52WS)

This convenient, plastic coated guide includes information on complementary, split complementary, analogous, triad colors. It also has definitions of color terms, shows colors mixed with white or black and deals with warm and cool color combinations.

This wheel includes the full range of 12 colors for a full spectrum display. Use it in your studio, workshops, classrooms and en plein air painting sessions

Magic Palette Color Mixing Guide

Magic Palette Color Mixing Guide 11.5 Inch (ASIN: B00119HMDC)

With 324 variations created from 18 colors, this handy guide is a great reference for student or professional artist. Cut down on wasted paint from improper mixing experiments. You’ll save time, money and get your color right the first time, every time with this high quality, accurate color guide.

This guide uses standard artist paint colors, so it’s perfect for any medium. Watercolor, acrylic or oil painters no longer need to use the trial and error method of paint preparation. Add to your repertoire of colors with this handy and useful guide.

Quiller Wheel – Color Wheel for All Media

Quiller Wheel- Color Wheel for All Media by Stephen Quiller (ASIN: B00269PDQO)

Developed by water media artist Stephen Quiller, this color wheel is a boon to artist of all mediums. The laminated plastic card is great for taking on plein air excursions, using in the classroom or tacked to your wall near your easel.

The card uses manufacturer’s paint names, includes a glossary and a legend that breaks down colors according to medium. It also identifies primary, secondary and intermediate colors. This handy card is understandable for the beginner and a useful aid to the advanced artist.

A Course in Mastering the Art of Mixing Colors

Color by Betty Edwards: A Course in Mastering the Art of Mixing Colors (ISBN-10: 1585422193)

If you want to get serious about becoming an artist, take the time to learn color theory. This book covers a lot more than just the color wheel and includes exercises to put your new knowledge to the test.

Learn about hues and tints, painting with black and white, and color intensity. It also includes color harmony, symbolism in color and how light affects colors in three-dimensional shapes.

This book is a mini-course based on Ms. Edwards’s five-day color workshops. The book includes 125 photos and progresses from the basics to advanced theory over the course of the text.

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