Color Theory for Noobs | Beginner Guide

Hi everybody! My name is Julian, and today I'm going to be diving deep into the fascinating world of color theory. This is a really important topic for any artist, graphic designer, or anyone involved in the realm of art. So, let’s break it down step by step!

What is Hue?

Let’s start with hue. This is pretty straightforward and easy to understand. Hue essentially refers to what color it is. For example, if I draw a graph, I can demonstrate the progression of hue:

• Red
• Orange
• Yellow
• Purple
• Pink

You can see how the color is changing. Essentially, hue is just what color you have selected. If we take red and shift it, it becomes orange, then yellow, and so forth!

Saturation Explained

Next up is saturation. This term pops up a lot in programs like Photoshop and across the art world. Saturation refers to the intensity of the color:

As you can see in my examples, the left dot is at 100% saturation, while the right is at 0%. No color saturation equates to gray, which applies universally.

Understanding Lightness

Lightness can also be divided into tints and shades. This simply describes how bright or dark a color is. By adding white or black to a color, you can modify its lightness:

• Areas where white is added are called tints.
• Areas where black is added are called shades.

Color Groups

Now we come to color groups—this can be a tad confusing, but once you get it, it’s simple! Here’s a quick overview of various color schemes:

1. Monochromatic Color Scheme

This scheme involves only one color, utilizing its tints and shades.

2. Analogous Colors

This scheme includes colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel. For example:

• Yellow
• Orange
• Red

3. Complementary Colors

These are colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, like:

• Red and Green
• Yellow and Purple
• Blue and Orange

4. Triadic Colors

This involves creating a triangle on the color wheel. For instance, picking orange, green, and purple.

While there are many more color schemes, the ones listed above are core fundamentals that can really enhance your artwork!

The Meaning Behind Colors

Now let's dive into a crucial part of color theory: the meanings behind colors. Understanding this can significantly impact your designs:

The emotional impact of color is universal, transcending culture and personal perception.

Warm and Cool Colors

Next, let’s touch on the concept of warm and cool colors. Here’s a breakdown:

• Warm Colors: Red, Orange, Yellow
• Cool Colors: Blue, Purple, Green

Neutral colors like green can lean either way depending on the additional colors mixed in.

Interactive Color Test

Before we wrap up, I have a little test for you! I’m going to draw three blue dots, and I want you to think about what changes I’m making. Here’s the first dot:

• Dot 1
• Dot 2
• Dot 3

Write in the comments about the changes you see and let me know the color schemes or meanings these adjustments might represent!

Conclusion

And that’s it! Those are the basics of color theory. While there’s definitely more to learn, grasping these core concepts will drastically improve your understanding and application of color in your artwork. If you have any ideas for future videos or topics you’d like me to cover, be sure to let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear your feedback.

Thanks for joining me today, and I hope you have an amazing day ahead. This has been Julian from Flow Graphics, see ya!