March, 2016 Color Schemes

​Most of my paintings are done in full color, which means that I use all of the colors available from the color wheel. Within the color range I may also implement one of several color schemes used to emphasize mood, atmosphere, or lighting.  Here is a look at some of the options available to you.
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"Fishing on the Vermillion" is a full color painting of an early fall scene on the Vermillion River near Starved Rock State Park. I wanted to capture the light where the shallow river disappears around the bend into the distance. This is a reference I may use again, choosing a color theme that will impart a completely different emphasis or atmosphere to the painting. 
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One of the color schemes is Monochromatic. Using just one color from the color wheel unifies the composition. Small accents of other colors will still make the painting work.
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Analogous is another possible combination–two adjacent colors on the 12 segment color wheel.

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Complementary is a commonly used color scheme. Red and green are colors opposite each other on
​the color wheel.
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Triadic represents every fourth color on the color wheel. It is almost full color if you use the primary colors of red, yellow and blue.
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Using 4 adjacent colors is Orderly–another good combination that helps creates unity.
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​As an artist, you have not only the choice of subject matter, medium, size, style or design, but also
​the choice of using different color combinations to create a work of art that captures the perfect atmosphere or mood.
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