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Color Wheel

Understanding colors

photo by Cheryl

What is a color wheel?

A traditional color wheel is a disk divided into twelve wedges, each representing a color.

Why use the color wheel?

Using a color wheel allows you to identify colors that are either analagous (close together on the color wheel) or complementary (opposite each other on the color wheel). A harmonius color scheme uses both analagous and complementary colors to acheive a combination that is pleasing to the eye. For more on using the color wheel, visit ColorMatters.

How to use the color wheel with children

by Jennifer Searle

When you have children you know how endless questions go. Finally after answers what seemed like one hundred questions on what color is made by mixing two colors together I decided to just show them i...More>
1 articles Write Now Write

The color wheel for hair coloring.

by Marlin Bressi

Goethe, the great 19th century German thinker, began studying the theory of color around 1810. The color theory developed by Goethe forms the basis of the color wheel, which is a tool used by ev...More>
2 articles Write Now Write

How to successfully use contrasting colors in home decorating

by Janette Peel

Expect some amazing, eye-catching results when you set contrasting colors from opposite sides of the color wheel against each other in your decorating scheme. Colors are an exhilarating aspect of li...More>
2 articles Write Now Write

Choosing interior design color combinations

by Bruce W. Coffman

The best rule of thumb in choosing interior design color combinations is to go with what you like rather than what anyone tells you you should choose. Start by thinking of your favorite color. Even if...More>
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How to teach the color wheel to young children

by Samantha J. Adkins

Children begin to show interest in colors as soon as they are born. Infants are initially drawn to contrast in colors. As they develop, they begin to connect the colors they see to the words their parents and other important people use to name these... More>

Bulletin board ideas: Color wheel theme

by Nan Keltie

All three of these eye-popping bulletin board ideas teach the color wheel. All you have to do is choose the one that best suits your needs! For each one, the primary-color wheel is surrounded by secondary and tertiary colors in a variety of ways. No... More>

More applications of the color wheel

Create and test color schemes
This free tool is for web designers, but the color schemes you create could also apply to interior design, crafts, or fashion.
Random color scheme generator
Click to create and view a random color scheme.
Using the color wheel in web design

Comments (1 to 2 of 2)

Raven Lebeau

Mar 20, 10 at 01:50 AM

Thanks, Nan. If you think your article fits the Topic, I would consider featuring it. Feel free to submit it as a link.

Nan Keltie

Jan 31, 10 at 01:39 AM

Great zone, Raven! It goes right along with an article I wrote for teachers.

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Primary and secondary colors

Primary colors:

red
yellow
blue

Secondary colors:

green
orange
purple

Using the color wheel

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Back2Basics: The Color Wheel

In this video I am explaining the color wheel, and color theory. I get quite a few questions people asking me how is it I come up with eyeshadow combinations, what blush color to wear with certain eyeshadow colors, what colors used to conceal imperfections in the face. In this video I explain it all!

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