Color for Design and Art

Learn about the practical application of color theory: how to create color palettes, manipulate colors in Adobe tools like Photoshop and Illustrator, fix color problems, and more.

Introduction

• Welcome

1. Learning the Language of the Color Wheel

• Navigating the color wheel
• The three components of color
• Valuing value over all
• What you see is what you get

2. Choosing and Modifying Colors

• RGB, CMYK, and spot
• Finding the perfect color
• Pairing hues
• Using digital aids to choose and refine colors
• Working with grays and browns

3. Building and Applying Attractive Palettes

• Finding palettes within the color wheel
• Working with grays to bring color to an illustration
• Simple but powerful ways of using color
• Multi-hue color schemes
• Borrowing and applying hues

4. Fine-Tuning Color Schemes

• Establishing pecking order
• Helping colors get along
• Handling color backdrops
• Seeing and fixing problems with color

5. Working with Color in Photos and Illustrations

• Altering a photo's hues
• Modifying palettes with digital effects
• Using texture to influence a palette's look
• Exploring alternate color options

6. Paint! It's Good for You

• The painter's color wheel
• Gathering the right tools for painting
• Painting with values: Two project ideas
• Painting for fun

Next Steps

• Closing thoughts