3-1-3 Tertiary Colors
Key Concepts
1. Primary Colors
Primary colors are the base colors from which all other colors can be created. These colors are red, blue, and yellow. They cannot be made by mixing other colors.
2. Secondary Colors
Secondary colors are created by mixing two primary colors in equal amounts. The secondary colors are green (blue + yellow), orange (red + yellow), and purple (red + blue).
3. Tertiary Colors
Tertiary colors are created by mixing a primary color with a secondary color. These colors are more complex and add variety to the color spectrum.
Detailed Explanation
Primary Colors
Primary colors are the foundation of color mixing. They are the starting points for creating other colors. Red, blue, and yellow are the primary colors because they cannot be made by mixing any other colors.
Secondary Colors
Secondary colors are formed by mixing two primary colors in equal parts. For example, mixing blue and yellow creates green, mixing red and yellow creates orange, and mixing red and blue creates purple. These colors are halfway between the primary colors on the color wheel.
Tertiary Colors
Tertiary colors are created by mixing a primary color with a secondary color. This results in six new colors: red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-purple, and red-purple. These colors add depth and complexity to the color palette.
Examples and Analogies
Primary Colors Example
Think of primary colors as the basic ingredients in a recipe. Just as flour, sugar, and eggs are essential for baking, red, blue, and yellow are essential for creating all other colors.
Secondary Colors Example
Imagine mixing paint to create new colors. By combining blue and yellow, you get green. By combining red and yellow, you get orange. By combining red and blue, you get purple. These new colors are the secondary colors.
Tertiary Colors Example
Think of tertiary colors as special blends. For instance, mixing red (primary) with orange (secondary) creates red-orange. Mixing yellow (primary) with green (secondary) creates yellow-green. These blends add more variety to the colors you can create.
By understanding primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, you can create a wide range of colors and use them effectively in your artwork.