Basic colour theory (and how that helps your cardmaking choices)

In the artmaking world, where colour mixing happens often, colour theory is extremely important, but I think it’s also important in the card crafting world. Understanding basic colour theory allows you to create the best possible impact for your card by establishing a mood you want to convey to your recipient.

To make it easy on yourself, I would highly recommend purchasing a colour wheel. Here in Australia, you can find them in most art supply shops. I would also suggest that you watch the related YouTube video where I talk and show you through the Colour Wheel in detail. In the meantime, here are some basic terms and definitions.

Primary colours – red, yellow, and blue.

These cannot be mixed from any other colours. (As an aside, once you become confident in colour mixing, you’ll be amazed at just how many colours you can make from using only these three colours.)

Secondary colours – two primary colours mixed together.

Red + yellow = orange

Yellow + blue = green

Blue + red = violet

Please note: if you mix all three primary colours together you will get a neutral (either brown or grey).

Monochromatic – using just one colour in different tints, tones and shades.

Colour + white = tint

Colour + grey = tone

Colour + black = shade

Analogous – using colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel.

This can give you a very soft or bold look on your cards, though both will give you a harmonious effect.

Complementary – using colours opposite each other on the Colour Wheel.

For example, I love using blue and its complement, orange, on my cards. It creates quite a striking effect.

Split-complementary – using a colour with the two colours on either side of the complementary colour on the Colour Wheel.

Triadic – using three colours equally spaced from each other on the Colour Wheel.

There’s a little more to colour theory, but it can get a bit confusing so I’ll leave it there. Understanding the basics will definitely help your cardmaking choices, especially when you’re not sure if a particular colour goes with another on your card.