Have you ever wondered what tertiary colors are? You\u2019re probably familiar with primary and secondary colors. But the tertiary colors are less well known. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, let\u2019s look at some examples of tertiary colors on the color wheel. We\u2019ll dive into color theory and gain a deeper understanding of tertiary colors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look at a color wheel, you might notice that the tertiary colors are the most numerous. Understanding how to mix these colors will offer you more options as an artist. You\u2019ll find it easier to create nuanced colors that are more realistic and lively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, I\u2019ll explain why you need to know about tertiary colors. Then, we\u2019ll take a close look at what the tertiary colors are and how to make them. And you\u2019ll learn how to use them effectively in your artwork. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding tertiary colors is a bit complicated. That\u2019s because there are different theories about how to make them, as explained below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One theory suggests that a tertiary color is the result of mixing two secondary colors in an equal ratio. However, this method applies only to traditional art using any pigment, paint, or dye. It\u2019s not relevant to mixing different colored lights or digital art. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, this theory is limited in application and not as commonly used in practice. There are three tertiary colors according to this theory:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These colors don\u2019t appear on the color wheel. So, we won\u2019t focus on this theory for the rest of the article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second theory says that mixing a primary and a secondary color makes a tertiary color. It\u2019s the most commonly accepted theory and the one that the color wheel demonstrates. So, we\u2019ll look closer at this theory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, some people believe you can make a tertiary color by mixing two primary colors. One of the primary colors in the mixture is fully saturated, and the other is half saturated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, in effect, it works the same as mixing a primary and a secondary color due to the ratios used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it\u2019s easy to see how people get confused about tertiary colors! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s backtrack a bit. To understand tertiary colors, you need to know that there are several color systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You probably learned about the traditional color system in art class at school. We call this the RYB color system<\/a>, as its primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The RYB color system dates back centuries. Artists and scientists have long used it to understand how colors work. And it\u2019s still useful for anyone who works with traditional art media like paints and ink. However, it\u2019s also considered the most outdated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n More recently, the RGB color system has become popular. In this color system, green replaces yellow, while red and blue remain. The reason is that these are the primary colors according to the light spectrum. You make white light when you mix red, green, and blue light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, the RGB color system<\/a> has a wider color gamut. That means you can make a greater range of colors compared with the RYB model. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s also the CYMK color system<\/a>, mainly used for printing. This method uses the same colors as the RGB system but reverses the primary and secondary colors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, the tertiary colors in the RYB system will differ from those in the RGB system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A color wheel is a helpful tool for representing colors and their relationships. It displays primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s an easy way to understand the similarities between colors and their temperatures – cold or warm. And you can also look up complementary (or opposite) colors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, knowing how to use a color wheel is an essential skill for artists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ll use the RYB color model to understand the color wheel in this case. It\u2019s still the most common system for any kind of traditional art. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the color wheel, you\u2019ll see the primary colors – red, yellow, and blue. You can\u2019t make a primary color by mixing other colors together. But you can make almost any other color using the primary colors. And so, they are the foundation of color mixing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The secondary colors – orange, green, and purple – sit between the primary colors. They are the result of mixing two primary colors in a 1:1 ratio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As a side note, the secondary colors in the RGB system are magenta, cyan, and yellow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And finally, the tertiary colors. These are the most numerous on the color wheel, as there are six ways to make tertiary shades. So, there are six tertiary colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you mix a primary color and a secondary color, you create a tertiary color. For example, red and orange make red-orange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, it makes sense that each tertiary color sits between the primary and secondary colors used to mix it. You\u2019ll find red-orange between red and orange on the color wheel. And because of this placement, tertiary colors are sometimes called intermediate colors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, you understand how we can make tertiary colors. It\u2019s time to take a closer look at each tertiary color on the color wheel. I\u2019ve gone into detail on each of them below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll notice that their technical names aren\u2019t the most descriptive. They\u2019re made up of the primary and secondary colors mixed to make each tertiary color. That can be helpful when you want to know how to mix a particular shade, but the names aren\u2019t very inspiring! <\/p>\n\n\n\n But each color also has a common name as well as its technical name, which I\u2019ve shared below. Often, artists prefer these names as they are more interesting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yellow-orange is a bright, citrussy shade made by mixing yellow and orange. It sits between orange and yellow on the color wheel. It\u2019s also known as amber. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll find yellow-green between yellow and green on the color wheel. It\u2019s a sharp, fresh shade between these two colors. We also call it chartreuse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You may know this color as teal. We make it by mixing green and blue together, and it sits between these colors on the color wheel. Check out my article on how to make teal paint here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow the Color Wheel Works <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Primary Colors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Secondary Colors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Tertiary Colors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Examples of Tertiary Colors on the Color Wheel <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Yellow-Orange<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yellow-Green<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Blue-Green<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Blue-Violet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n