Color Theory for Art & Design: Learn to use Color like a Pro from Udemy

Welcome to The Color Class.

From painting to fashion, graphic design, logo design, marketing, photography, any field of digital art and traditional art:

Colour is a major factor and plays a huge role in how we percieve things. Both in real life and in any forms of visual presentation.

Therefore, learning about color theory and being able to handle color like a pro is essential, if want to become a creator. No matter if you're a beginner artist who's just starting out, or an experienced web designer.

Once you know what colors can do and learn how to combine them, you have an incredible tool at your hands that allows you to influence the mood, emotions, interest and attention of viewers of your work.

The color wheel, color psychology, color schemes, color harmony and color palettes are just some aspects of the magical meta-skill that we call "color usage".

I'm "Duplo", an experienced designer and digital artist, and I put a lot of attention to getting my colors right. Using color is one of my specialties and I've invested a lot of time into researching and optimizing my use of color. Color has been the thing that has carried my work the most, and I absolutely love using it.

I put this course together because I've noticed, that there aren't any full tutorials on how to generally use color. The ones that are out there are either too broad and theoretical ("Color theory explained in 10 min"), or too specific ("How to mix water colors", "How to use color schemes for logos"...).

This course gives you a practical overview for color theory and how you can apply it to any field of art and design that interests you. With tons of examples and clear explanations.

From color basics we will move on to a deep dive on each of the main colors so that you really understand them. And then we will explore how to combine colors, how to make them look good together and how to choose them for your work.

You will learn:

How to use color psychology to achieve stunning effects
How to create color harmony
How to utilize color schemes
How to make your own color palettes for different situations
How to avoid the most common color errors

Or shortly: How to become a master of color.

Because at the core, it's the same theory that applies to any fields of art and design: Once you know what color does and how you can use it to your advantage, you win.

And with this course I want to guide you there.

Style:

- calm & precise

- occasional dry jokes

- many examples and visuals

Watch the video lessons, take some notes if you like and participate in the class project, and you will soon not have to worry about colors anymore, but use them with competence and confidence.

Welcome.

What's inside

Learning objectives

The fundamental concepts of color
Practical applications for art, design & marketing
Learn to make your own color palettes for different situations
Learn how to use color creatively to upgrade your work and make it stand out
Learn why color is such an important factor
Learn about color basics and how it works
Learn where color is important and how it's used in different fields of art and design

Learn about color psychology
Learn how to create color harmony in your work
Learn how to avoid the most common color mistakes
Learn how to use the 60-30-10 rule in design
Learn to understand the color wheel and how to use it for your work
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The fundamental concepts of color
Practical applications for art, design & marketing
Learn to make your own color palettes for different situations
Learn how to use color creatively to upgrade your work and make it stand out
Learn why color is such an important factor
Learn about color basics and how it works
Learn where color is important and how it's used in different fields of art and design
Learn about color psychology
Learn how to create color harmony in your work
Learn how to avoid the most common color mistakes
Learn how to use the 60-30-10 rule in design
Learn to understand the color wheel and how to use it for your work
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Introduction to the course and explanation why color matters

Welcome!

Why Color Matters

Learn the basics of how color generally works and what it does

Color Basics

The Color Wheel

Color Psychology

Learn Everything About The Main Colors And How To Use Them

Understanding Blue

Understanding Red

Understanding Yellow

Understanding Green

Understanding Orange

Understanding Purple

Understanding Brown

Understanding Pink

Understanding Black

Understanding White

Color & Culture

Color Context

Learn How To Combine Colors And Make Them Look Good Together

Color Harmony

Color Schemes

Color Palettes

The 60-30-10 Rule

Applying Color Theory

Color & Light

Color Transitions & Gradients

Learn about common color errors, how to practice using color and conclusion

Common Color Errors

Exercises

Outro

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Color Theory for Art & Design: Learn to use Color like a Pro with these activities:

Review Basic Art Principles

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Strengthen your foundation in art and design principles before diving into color theory.

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Review notes on the elements of art (line, shape, form, color, value, texture, space).
Review notes on the principles of design (balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, unity).

Color Wheel Mixing Practice

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Reinforce your understanding of the color wheel by practicing mixing different colors.

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Gather a set of primary colors (red, yellow, blue).
Mix the primary colors to create secondary colors (green, orange, purple).
Mix primary and secondary colors to create tertiary colors.

Review 'Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter' by James Gurney

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Learn how light interacts with color to create realistic and visually appealing artwork.

View Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara (Calla Editions) on Amazon

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Read the sections on color temperature and atmospheric perspective.
Observe how light affects colors in different environments.
Practice painting or drawing with a focus on color and light.

Four other activities

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Create a Color Palette Inspiration Board

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Solidify your understanding of color palettes by curating a collection of inspiring color combinations.

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Gather images from magazines, websites, and your own photos.
Identify the dominant colors in each image.
Arrange the images on a board to create a visually appealing display.

Review 'Interaction of Color' by Josef Albers

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Deepen your understanding of color relationships and visual perception by studying Albers' classic text.

View Albers and Morandi: Never Finished on Amazon

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Read the introduction and first few chapters.
Experiment with color interactions using paint or digital tools.
Analyze the color choices in your favorite artworks.

Design a Logo with Specific Color Psychology

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Apply color psychology principles by designing a logo that evokes specific emotions and associations.

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Choose a brand or concept for your logo.
Research the color psychology associated with your brand.
Sketch several logo designs using different color combinations.
Refine your chosen design and create a final version.

Create a Color Scheme Guide

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Develop a practical guide to different color schemes and their applications.

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Research different color schemes (monochromatic, analogous, complementary, triadic, etc.).
Create visual examples of each color scheme.
Describe the emotions and associations evoked by each color scheme.
Suggest applications for each color scheme in art and design.

Career center

Learners who complete Color Theory for Art & Design: Learn to use Color like a Pro will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Graphic designer

A graphic designer creates visual concepts that communicate ideas and information. Color plays a pivotal role in this process, influencing the message and emotional impact of designs. This course equips aspiring graphic designers with a deep understanding of color theory, essential for crafting effective and visually appealing designs. Understanding color psychology can guide a graphic designer in making intentional choices that resonate with target audiences. Furthermore, the emphasis on color harmony and schemes directly translates into creating aesthetically pleasing and balanced compositions. A graphic designer should take this course to learn to confidently choose colors that elevate their work and achieve desired outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Game Artist

A game artist creates the visual assets for video games, including characters, environments, and user interfaces. Color is a fundamental element in game art, influencing mood, creating atmosphere, and enhancing gameplay. This course helps game artists gain a comprehensive understanding of color theory. Learning about color basics, the color wheel, and color combinations can enable a game artist to create immersive and visually appealing game worlds. Furthermore, understanding color psychology allows a game artist to use color strategically to guide players, create emotional impact, and enhance the overall gaming experience. This course is crucial to develop the color mastery needed for the work of a game artist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Artist

Fashion Designer

Fashion designers create clothing and accessories. Color is a fundamental element in fashion design, dictating trends, influencing consumer perception, and conveying style. This course helps fashion designers gain a comprehensive understanding of color theory, which is vital for creating cohesive and visually appealing collections. The course's emphasis on color psychology enables fashion designers to evoke specific emotions and communicate brand identity through their designs. Learning how to create color harmony and utilize color schemes directly enhances a fashion designer's ability to develop trendsetting and commercially successful clothing lines. A fashion designer should take this course to master the art of color and elevate their designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Designer

Photographer

A photographer captures images using a camera to tell stories, document events, or create art. Color is a fundamental aspect of photography, influencing mood, creating visual interest, and conveying emotions. This course helps photographers gain a comprehensive understanding of color theory. Learning about color basics, color harmony, and color schemes can enable a photographer to create visually stunning and impactful photographs. Furthermore, understanding color psychology allows a photographer to use color strategically to enhance their storytelling and evoke specific emotions in viewers. A photographer should take this course to master the art of color and elevate their photographic work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Photographer

Illustrator

An illustrator creates images for books, magazines, websites, and other media. Color is a key component of illustration, setting the mood, conveying meaning, and captivating viewers. This course provides illustrators with a thorough grounding in color theory, which is essential for producing compelling and effective illustrations. Studying color basics, the color wheel, and color combinations allows an illustrator to create visually stunning and impactful artwork. An illustrator should take this course to enhance their understanding of color psychology, enabling them to evoke specific emotions and tell stories through their illustrations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator

Animator

An animator creates moving images using computer software or traditional techniques. Color is a vital element in animation, setting the tone, creating depth, and enhancing visual storytelling. This course helps animators gain a solid understanding of color theory, which is essential for producing visually compelling and emotionally engaging animations. By learning about color principles, the color wheel, and color combinations, an animator can create visually stunning and impactful animations. Furthermore, a course like this will guide the animator toward understanding color psychology, enabling them to evoke specific emotions and bring their stories to life through color. An animator should take this course to master the art of color and elevate their animated work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Textile Designer

A textile designer creates patterns and designs for woven, knitted, printed, or other textile products. Color is a fundamental element in textile design, influencing the aesthetic appeal, marketability, and overall impact of fabrics. This course helps textile designers gain a comprehensive understanding of color theory. Learning about color basics, the color wheel, and color combinations can enable a textile designer to create visually stunning and commercially successful textile designs. Furthermore, understanding color psychology allows a textile designer to use color strategically to evoke specific emotions and create fabrics that resonate with consumers. A textile designer should take this course to master the art of color and elevate their textile designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Textile Designer

Muralist

A muralist creates large-scale artwork directly on walls or other permanent surfaces. Color is a dominant element in murals, defining the artwork's visual impact, storytelling, and connection to its environment. This course helps muralists gain a solid grounding in color theory, which is essential for producing compelling and site-specific murals. By learning about color principles, color harmony, and color combinations, a muralist can create visually stunning and impactful artwork. Furthermore, understanding color psychology allows the professional to evoke specific emotions and enhance the mural's message. A muralist should take this course to master the art of color and elevate their large-scale artwork.

See salaries and explore the career path for Muralist

Interior designer

An interior designer plans and designs interior spaces, considering aesthetics, functionality, and the needs of the client. Color is a crucial element in interior design, influencing mood, creating atmosphere, and defining style. This course helps interior designers gain a deep understanding of color theory. Learning about color basics, the color wheel, and color combinations can enable an interior designer to create harmonious and visually appealing spaces. This course helps interior designers understand color psychology, allowing them to evoke specific emotions and create spaces that meet the client's needs and preferences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interior designer

User Interface Designer

A user interface designer focuses on the visual layout and interactive elements of digital products like websites and applications. Color is a critical factor in user interface design, impacting usability, accessibility, and overall user experience. This course provides user interface designers with a solid grounding in color theory, which is essential for creating intuitive and engaging interfaces. Learning about color basics, color psychology, and color harmony techniques can enable a user interface designer to make informed decisions about color choices that enhance user satisfaction and improve product effectiveness. A user interface designer should take this course to learn to use color strategically to optimize the user experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Interface Designer

Art Director

An art director is responsible for the visual style and images in various projects, such as magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and movie and television productions. Color is a key element in establishing visual coherence and conveying specific messages. This course will guide art directors who want to improve their mastery of color theory which is invaluable in achieving these goals. By understanding color psychology, color harmony, and color schemes, art directors can ensure that visual elements align with the project's objectives and resonate with the target audience. It's important for an art director to take this course to learn how to effectively use color to create impactful and visually consistent designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Web Designer

A web designer plans and creates websites, ensuring they are visually appealing, user-friendly, and functional. Color choice is crucial for establishing brand identity, enhancing user experience, and guiding visitors through a website. This course on color theory may be useful to a web designer who wants to improve their skills. Learning about color basics, the color wheel, and how to combine colors effectively can allow a web designer to create engaging and impactful website designs. This course helps a web designer to understand color psychology to influence user behavior and create an optimal user experience through strategic color implementation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Marketing Specialist

A marketing specialist develops and implements marketing campaigns to promote products or services. Color is a powerful tool in marketing, influencing consumer behavior, brand recognition, and campaign effectiveness. This course may be useful to a marketing specialist who wants to leverage the power of color to enhance their marketing strategies. Understanding color psychology, creating color harmony, and utilizing color schemes are essential for crafting marketing materials that resonate with target audiences and drive desired results. A marketing specialist may find this course helpful, learning to use color strategically to improve brand messaging and increase campaign success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Specialist

Branding Specialist

A branding specialist develops and manages a company's brand identity, ensuring consistency across all marketing and communication channels. Color is a critical component of brand identity, influencing brand recognition, consumer perception, and emotional connection. This course may be useful to branding specialists who want to leverage the power of color to enhance their branding strategies. Understanding color psychology, creating color harmony, and utilizing color schemes are essential for crafting a brand identity that resonates with the target audience and communicates the brand's values and personality. A branding specialist should take this course to learn to use color strategically to build a strong and recognizable brand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Branding Specialist

Makeup Artist

A makeup artist applies makeup to enhance or alter a person's appearance, often for photography, film, television, or special events. Color is central to makeup artistry, as it involves selecting and blending colors to create desired effects, correct imperfections, and complement skin tones. This course may be useful to makeup artists who want to develop their color theory knowledge. Learning about color basics, color harmony, and color schemes can enable a makeup artist to create stunning and flawless looks. Furthermore, understanding color psychology allows a makeup artist to use color strategically to enhance the subject's features and evoke specific emotions. A makeup artist should take this course to master the art of color and elevate their artistry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Makeup Artist

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Color Theory for Art & Design: Learn to use Color like a Pro.

Albers and Morandi: Never Finished

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Seminal work on color theory, exploring how colors interact with each other and how perception changes based on context. It provides a deep understanding of color relationships, which is crucial for creating effective color palettes and harmonies. It is highly recommended as additional reading to expand on the course's core concepts and principles. Many art and design programs use this book as a textbook.

Albers and Morandi: Never Finished

Hardcover

Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara

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Focuses on how light affects color in the real world, providing practical advice for artists and designers. It covers topics such as atmospheric perspective, color temperature, and the behavior of light on different surfaces. This book is useful as a reference tool for understanding how to apply color theory in realistic settings. It is also helpful for understanding color and light in painting.

Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara (Calla Editions)

Hardcover

Color Theory for Art & Design

Learn to use Color like a Pro

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Learning objectives

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Activities

Career center

Reading list

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