mixing the primary colors to create a 12-step color wheel

Color-Wheel

For this assignment, you will create a 12-color wheel. The color wheel is the basic tool that people use when working with color. The 12 hues are found in the spectrum of color. (Refer to page 34 of the textbook as well as the links located in “Summarizing Your Learning” in this lesson.) The color wheel is divided into three categories: primary hues, secondary hues (made by combining primary colors), and tertiary hues (made by combining secondary hues).

Objectives:

The intent of this assignment is to develop an understanding of color by:

• mixing the primary colors to create a 12-step color wheel
• painting a series of chips that represent the color spectrum
• assembling and labeling a 12-step color wheel

Procedure:

Templates will be provided for you to use for this assignment by clicking on the appropriate links. When you access the links provided in this lesson under “Assessing Your Learning,” you will find three template links. These .pdf links may open at the wrong size on your computer. When the .pdf opens, you will find a box at the top that shows the percentage (size) of the image. Please change this percentage to 100% so the image will print properly.

Click on this Color Wheel Template link and print out the template. You will use this template for the 12-step color wheel. Remember to change the .pdf to 100% before printing.

Use this template to assist you in drawing the color wheel. Take the template and flip it over. Taking a #2 pencil, scribble on the backside of the paper, making sure that you have covered the whole template. (If you have carbon paper, you can use it instead.) By covering the backside of the paper, you have created a type of carbon paper. Now, turn the paper over and lay it on top (with the carbon side down) of a piece of 8″ x 10″ illustration board. Using masking tape, tape the corners of the paper down to the board. Using a pen or fine line marker (pressing down), trace around the template. In doing so, you will be drawing an exact duplicate on to the illustration board. When you are sure you have completelydrawn over the template, remove the tape. You should see the whole design traced on to the illustration board.

Now, click on this Primary Color Template link and print out the template. You will use this template for drawing the secondary colors. Following the same directions, draw in this design as seen in the example. Remember to change the .pdf to 100% before printing.

Next, open this Secondary Color Template link and print out the template. You will use this template for drawing the secondary colors. Following the same directions, draw in this design as seen in the example. Remember to change the .pdf to 100% before printing

You should now have an image on the illustration board that looks like this:

Proceed neatly and carefully to paint in each of the individual color shapes. You will be scored for technical competency as well as for the demonstration of your knowledge of the color wheel. (Use the example image in this lesson as a reference.)

Here is an easy way to remember how to mix colors: 1+1=2 and 1+2=3.
(Primary + Primary = Secondary and Primary + Secondary = Tertiary.)

First, paint the primary colors in the appropriate areas of the color wheel, using the picture above as a reference, and then proceed to paint in each color for the secondary and tertiary colors by “mixing” primary colors to create the rest of the color wheel within the proper spaces. Mix the colors yourself so you can visually see the color transformation that occurs. Do not use secondary and tertiary colors out of a tube of paint. Be sure that you let the colors dry before moving on to a color “next to” one you have just painted. Hint: You can use a blow dryer to speed up the drying process. Do not hold the blow dryer too close to the paint.

Label each of the colors. You can use your computer to type out (or neatly print) the names of the colors and then cut and paste them to the illustration board as shown in this example:

Once you have completed the color wheel, do not forget to sign your work on the bottom right-hand corner.

When you complete your assignment, be sure to make two color photocopies of your work. Send one with your assignment and keep one for your file.

Materials

• 1- 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of illustration board
• #2 pencil
• Fine line marker or roller ball pen (black)
• Acrylic paint (2 oz. tubes) (refer to material list)
• Palette for mixing paint
• Paint brush