How to Make a Tertiary Color Wheel
A tertiary color wheel expands on the standard primary and secondary color wheel by incorporating tertiary colors. These are created by mixing a primary color with an adjacent secondary color in equal parts. This results in a 12-section color wheel, offering a richer range of hues.
Tertiary colors are created by blending a primary color with a neighboring secondary color. For example:
- Red-Orange: Mixing red (primary) and orange (secondary).
- Yellow-Orange: Mixing yellow (primary) and orange (secondary).
- Yellow-Green: Mixing yellow (primary) and green (secondary).
- Blue-Green: Mixing blue (primary) and green (secondary).
- Blue-Violet: Mixing blue (primary) and violet (secondary).
- Red-Violet: Mixing red (primary) and violet (secondary).
As stated in one reference, "A tertiary colour is made by mixing equal amounts of a primary colour and a secondary colour together". There are six tertiary colors, situated between their parent primary and secondary colors on the color wheel.
Creating Your Tertiary Color Wheel
Several methods exist for creating a tertiary color wheel:
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Painting: This is a hands-on approach, ideal for learning color mixing. As one source states, "The only way to create a colour wheel is in some medium where you can add them together to create a new blend so 'painting wet media' work well." You'll need paints (watercolors, acrylics, or oils), a palette, and a circular surface (paper or canvas). Mix your primary and secondary colors to create the tertiary colors, then paint them onto your wheel.
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Digital Design: Software like Photoshop or Illustrator allows for precise color mixing and arrangement. You can create a digital color wheel using the color picker and mixing tools within the software. This method offers greater control and ease of correction.
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Color Wheel Templates: Printable templates are available online; you can fill them in with paints or colored pencils. This is a simpler approach, particularly useful for educational purposes.
Remember, achieving accurate tertiary colors requires precise measurements of the primary and secondary colors. Experimentation is key to mastering this process. Many online resources offer tutorials, such as the YouTube videos referenced, providing step-by-step instructions for making a 12-section color wheel.
Practical Applications
Understanding tertiary colors enriches your creative projects:
- Painting and Drawing: Adds depth and nuance to artwork.
- Graphic Design: Provides a broader palette for logos, websites, and other designs.
- Fashion and Interior Design: Offers a wider range of color choices for textiles and decor.
