Follow the color theory
Application of the color wheel relationship
Adjacent color combinations: Colors that are adjacent on the color wheel, such as red and orange, blue and green, etc. This color combination has a natural and harmonious transition, which can create a warm and comfortable atmosphere. For instance, when depicting a peaceful rural landscape, using adjacent colors such as light green, grass green and dark green to represent the fields and trees will make the picture full of vitality and harmonious order, giving people a visual feeling of peace and relaxation.
Contrasting color combinations: Colors located opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green, yellow and purple, blue and orange. The combination of contrasting colors can create a strong visual impact, making the picture more eye-catching and lively. For instance, when creating an oil painting with a festival theme, using the contrast between red and green can highlight the lively atmosphere of the festival. However, it is important to control the proportion of the contrasting colors to avoid being too dazzling.
Complementary color matching: Complementary colors are a special case of contrasting colors. They complement each other and can enhance the intensity of each other’s colors. For example, yellow and purple. When they are combined together, yellow will be brighter and purple will be darker. When depicting mysterious and fantastical scenes, such as the Magic Forest, yellow light and purple trees can be used to complement each other, creating a mysterious and fantastical effect.
Three elements to consider in color
Hue: It refers to the name of a color, such as red, yellow, blue, etc. Different hues carry different emotions and symbolic meanings. When matching, one should choose the appropriate hues based on the creative theme and the emotions to be expressed. For instance, using blue tones to represent the ocean and the sky can convey a sense of tranquility and depth. Using red tones to represent flames and flowers can reflect enthusiasm and vitality.
Lightness: It refers to the degree of lightness or darkness of a color. The contrast of lightness can enhance the layering and three-dimensional effect of the picture. For instance, when painting a portrait of a person, by adjusting the lightness of different parts of the face, such as having higher lightness in the highlights and lower lightness in the shadows, the image of the person can be made more three-dimensional and vivid. At the same time, appropriately using lightness contrast in the picture, such as the combination of bright and dark colors, can also highlight the main subject and guide the audience’s line of sight.
Purity: That is, the vividness of a color. High-purity colors are bright and eye-catching, while low-purity colors are soft and steady. When matching colors, the purity can be adjusted as needed. For example, when depicting cheerful and lively scenes, high-purity colors can be used; When expressing a serene and reserved atmosphere, low-purity colors can be chosen.
Fit the creative theme
Express the theme of nature
Depicting the four seasons: In spring, it is suitable to use tender and fresh colors such as light pink, tender green, and light blue to show the beauty of flowers and the vitality of plants. In summer, bright and vivid colors such as bright red, bright yellow and emerald green can be used to reflect the intensity of the sun and the vitality of life. Autumn is dominated by warm tones such as golden yellow, orange-red and brown, presenting the joy of harvest and the brilliance of fallen leaves. In winter, cold tones such as white, grey and dark blue are often used to create a cold and quiet atmosphere.
When depicting different natural landscapes: When drawing the ocean, the blue color scheme is the main color, with a gradient from light blue to dark blue, and some white is added to represent the waves, which can show the vastness and depth of the ocean. When depicting a forest, using different shades of green, such as light green, grass green, dark green, and dark green, along with some brown to represent the tree trunks, can highlight the forest’s density and mystery.
Express the theme of the character
Different age groups: Children’s images are usually depicted in bright and lively colors, such as pink, light blue, yellow, etc., to reflect their innocence. Young people can use bright and fashionable colors to show their vigor and vitality. The colors of middle-aged people can be relatively more steady, such as dark gray, dark blue, brown, etc., to reflect their maturity and stability. For the elderly, soft and warm colors such as beige and light brown are more suitable to convey their kindness and serenity.
Different emotional states: When depicting characters’ happy and excited emotions, bright and vivid colors such as red and orange can be used; When expressing sad or melancholic emotions, cool tones such as gray and blue can be used. When expressing emotions of anger and excitement, strong contrasting colors such as red and black can be used.
Express abstract themes
Expressing emotions: If you want to express passionate and intense emotions, you can mainly use warm tones such as red and orange, and add some yellow to enhance the visual impact. If you want to express a sense of tranquility and peace, you can use cool tones such as blue and green to create a soothing atmosphere.
Conveying concepts: For instance, to express environmental protection concepts, one can mainly use green tones, complemented by some white and blue ones, symbolizing fresh air, clean water sources and vibrant nature. To express a sense of technology, cool tones such as silver, blue and purple can be used, combined with some geometric shapes and lines, to create a futuristic and mysterious atmosphere.
Pay attention to the balance of the picture
Color area balance
Main color tone and auxiliary color tone: Determine the main color tone of the picture, which usually occupies the majority of the picture area and decides the overall atmosphere of the picture. The auxiliary tones play a role in setting off and complementing, and their area is relatively small. For instance, in a landscape painting with blue as the main color tone, blue takes up the majority of the picture, representing the sky and the ocean. Then, a small amount of yellow is used to represent the beach or the sunshine. The contrast between yellow and blue not only highlights the main subject but also makes the picture more rich.
Uniform color distribution: Avoid a certain color being overly concentrated or unevenly dispersed in the picture. For instance, when painting an oil painting that combines figures and the background, the colors of the figures and the background should be in harmony with each other. The colors of the figures should not be too prominent and disrupt the overall balance of the picture, nor should the background colors be too monotonous and make the figures appear isolated.
The colors are balanced in warm and cool tones
The combination of warm and cool tones: Appropriate use of the contrast between warm and cool tones in the picture can make the picture more vivid and interesting. For instance, when depicting a winter scene, although the overall tone is mainly cool, such as white, gray, and dark blue, warm tones can be added in some details, like a red scarf and yellow lights. This way, it can not only show the coldness of winter but also convey warmth and hope.
Coordination of warm and cool tones: The proportion of warm and cool tones should be adjusted according to the creative intention. If you want to create a warm and lively atmosphere, you can appropriately increase the proportion of warm tones. If you want to convey a serene and cool atmosphere, you can increase the proportion of cool tones.