Today, let’s dive into color theory! It might sound intimidating at first, but trust me, once you understand it, you'll never struggle with color choices again!
If your paintings keep turning into a dull, muddy mess, or you’re frustrated because your colors aren’t popping the way you want—this is exactly what you need.
Understanding color theory is your secret weapon to creating visually stunning, harmonious, and dynamic art. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your skills, mastering color will elevate your artwork to masterpiece level.
Let’s go!
3 Different Color Wheels
Most people are familiar with the traditional color wheel, but did you know there are actually several different types? Each serves a unique purpose, particularly when it comes to painting:
- Traditional Color Wheel: Based on the red, blue, and yellow (RBY) model, this is the classic wheel often taught in art classes.
- CMY Color Wheel: Used in printing and digital design, this wheel is based on cyan, magenta, and yellow as primary colors.
- Quiller Color Wheel: This wheel is specifically designed for painters, listing actual pigments used in acrylic and watercolor paints. It provides a more practical guide for choosing color combinations in fluid art.
You might find other color wheels on the market but these are the three that I use the most. In my opinion, the Quiller Wheel is the most useful for artists, which often would prefer to see the names of the acrylic paints they use listed on a color wheel.
Which one should you use? Well, since they all work in a similar way, it will mostly be based on your preference.
Color Wheel 101
If you feel lost when picking colors, meet your new best friend—the color wheel. This tool helps you navigate the endless world of color combinations. Having a color wheel handy makes it 10x easier to create balanced, eye-catching compositions.
It helps you see relationships between colors and find the perfect combinations for your artwork.
Here are the three fundamental types of colors you should know:
Primary Colors – Red, blue, and yellow. These colors cannot be mixed from other colors and are the foundation for all other hues.
Secondary Colors – Orange, green, and purple, created by mixing two primary colors.
Tertiary Colors – More complex hues like red-orange or blue-green, formed by mixing a primary color with a secondary color.
In addition to primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, the color wheel also includes:
- Tints: A color mixed with white to create a lighter version (e.g., pink is a tint of red).
- Tones: A color mixed with gray, softening its intensity.
- Shades: A color mixed with black to create a darker version.
By understanding how these colors work together, you can create stunning palettes that make your artwork stand out! Using these variations can help you create depth and mood in your artwork, making your fluid art pieces even more captivating.
The Basics of Color Theory
At its core, color theory explains how colors interact with each other. It breaks down the relationships between different hues and how they create harmony or contrast in your work.
Let's go over some color schemes and how to apply them in fluid art.
Complementary Colors for Bold Contrast
One of the easiest ways to make your colors pop is by using complementary colors. These are opposites on the color wheel, such as:
- Red & Green
- Blue & Orange
- Yellow & Purple
Placing these colors together creates high contrast and intensity, making each hue appear brighter. Just be careful—using them in equal amounts can be overwhelming and will turn your artwork into a muddy mess. Instead, let one dominate while the other acts as an accent.
Analogous Colors for a Harmonious Look
If you want a more blended, soothing look, try analogous colors—colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel.
Examples:
Blue, blue-green, and green → Creates a calming, ocean-like feel.
Red, red-orange, and orange → Warm, fiery, and energetic.
Using analogous colors results in smooth transitions that feel natural and balanced. This approach creates a sense of unity and flow, making it ideal for calming, soothing artwork.
An analogous color palettte is much more user-friendly for fluid art beginners because the colors are less likely to create mud when combined together.
Triadic Colors for a Vibrant Balance
A triadic color scheme uses three colors evenly spaced around the color wheel, creating a balanced yet dynamic look.
Examples:
- Red, Yellow, and Blue → A bold and energetic primary color scheme.
- Orange, Green, and Purple → A lively and playful secondary color scheme.
Triadic color schemes offer strong visual contrast while maintaining harmony. Since all three colors are equally prominent, using one as the dominant shade while the others serve as accents helps prevent overwhelming compositions.
Split-Complementary Colors for Balanced Contrast
A split-complementary scheme is a twist on complementary colors. Instead of using a direct opposite, you choose a base color and the two colors adjacent to its complement.
Examples:
- Blue with Red-Orange and Yellow-Orange → A striking yet balanced mix.
- Green with Red-Violet and Red-Orange → A lively and dynamic palette.
This scheme provides high contrast like complementary colors but is less intense, making it easier to work with while still adding vibrancy to your artwork.
Rectangular (Tetradic) Colors for Rich Diversity
The rectangular or tetradic scheme uses four colors arranged in two complementary pairs. This provides a vibrant and diverse palette with a mix of warm and cool tones.
Examples:
- Red & Green + Blue & Orange → A lively yet balanced look.
- Yellow & Purple + Blue & Orange → A mix of warm and cool contrast.
Tetradic schemes offer a wide range of color interactions, but they require careful balance. Choosing one dominant color and using the others as accents prevents the artwork from feeling chaotic.
Square Colors for Bold and Even Contrast
A square color scheme is similar to the tetradic scheme but with four colors evenly spaced around the color wheel. This approach creates a dynamic, high-energy composition.
Examples:
- Red, Yellow-Green, Blue, and Orange → A vibrant and playful palette.
- Purple, Green, Yellow, and Blue → A well-balanced mix of warm and cool tones.
Since square schemes use equally spaced colors, they provide strong contrast while maintaining balance. To avoid a muddy mess in fluid art, use one or two colors as the focal point and let the others enhance the composition subtly.
The Fluidity of Paint & Color Choices
In fluid art, color choices are only half of the equation. The consistency and movement of paint also play a huge role in how your final piece turns out. Unlike traditional painting, where you have complete control over brushstrokes and layering, fluid art relies on the natural interaction of colors as they mix, blend, and flow together.
This is where things can get tricky! If your paint is too thin or too thick, it can affect how colors interact. When paints are too fluid, colors might blend excessively, dulling their vibrancy and creating muddy colors.
The secret is finding the right balance between consistency and control to prevent your masterpiece from turning into a muddy mess.
But even with perfect fluidity, choosing the wrong color combinations and layering colors the wrong way can still leave you frustrated. If you've ever poured a painting and ended up with dull, lifeless colors instead of the bright, eye-catching hues you envisioned, you’re not alone. The reason? A lack of color harmony—and that’s exactly what my Mud to Masterpiece course was designed to fix.
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I my course, I teach my SECRET "Color Picking Formula"—a 4-step method that helps you instantly choose colors that work together, every time.
With this formula, you’ll:
- Never create muddy paintings again
- Confidently mix colors that work together
- Create vibrant, balanced compositions effortlessly
Want to stop the guessing game and start making breathtaking art? Check out the course here!
>>Mud to Masterpiece Course
Warm vs. Cool Colors: Setting the Mood
Colors can be warm or cool, and this makes a huge difference in the mood of your artwork.
Warm Colors (Reds, Oranges, Yellows) → Create energy, excitement, and warmth.
Cool Colors (Blues, Greens, Purples) → Evoke calmness, peace, and relaxation.
By playing with warm and cool tones, you can influence the emotional impact of your artwork.
Want to create contrast and depth? Try mixing warm and cool colors—but make sure they don’t mix together too much, or you might end up with muddy tones!
The Power of Color Context
One last thing...
Did you know a single color can look completely different depending on the colors around it? This is called color context, and it’s a game-changer in fluid art.
For example:
A light blue appears brighter next to dark colors but softer next to pastels.
A bright red can seem too intense against a neutral background.
A bright blue may seem more intense when placed next to a neutral gray.
A dark green might appear dull when placed near black.
Understanding this helps you control how colors appear in your artwork.
Remember that colors don’t exist in isolation—they are influenced by their surroundings. Understanding color relationships will help you make more deliberate artistic choices.
Mastering Color Theory in Fluid Art
So, how do you apply all this knowledge? By practicing!
Start by experimenting with color combos—test out complementary, analogous, and warm vs. cool schemes.
Play with different backgrounds to see how colors change based on context.
Use a color wheel to guide your decisions.
And if you want a SHORTCUT to choosing perfect color palettes every time, check out my Mud to Masterpiece course for fluid artists like you!
>> Learn My Secret Color Picking Formula!
By understanding and applying color theory, you’ll transform your fluid art from “meh” to masterpiece. So grab your paints, start experimenting, and most importantly—have fun!