Color Mixing: Beginners

Summary

Painting

Understanding color is foundational to any artistic practice. Through this project artists will learn to mix all of the colors they need to paint a rainbow using only the primary colors. It is important not only to be able to mix all of these colors, but to be able to talk about the colors you are using. Students will be using primary colors to create the secondary colors, and should be able to identify them within their painting.

Essential Terms

Primary Colors: any of a group of colors from which all other colors can be obtained by mixing
Secondary Colors: a color resulting from the mixing of two primary colors

Objectives

Students will be able to mix all secondary colors from primary colors.

Students will be able to create a composition using all hand mixed colors.
Students will be able to define and identify primary and secondary colors.

Master Artist / Historical References

Ellsworth Kelly, Spectrum I

Age Level(s)

5 - 6 years old, 7 - 9 years old

Needed Materials

Acrylic Paint
9 x 12" Heavy Paper, 80 Lb Plus

Learning Path

Beginner
Intermediate

Downloads

Project Instructions (PDF)

Attributions

Virtual Learning Project Developer: Augustine Smith

Curriculum Developer: Tamah Minnis

Step 1

Lay out the primary colors on your pallet. The primary colors are red, blue, and yellow.

Step 2

First, use your red to create the outside arch for your rainbow.

Step 3

You will be mixing secondary colors from these primary colors to make more colors! The secondary colors are orange, green, and purple.

Step 4

First mix orange by combining red and yellow. Remember that a little bit of a bolder color goes a long way, so start with a little red and work your way up to your desired orange. Paint your arch inside of the last arch.

Step 5

Next mix green using yellow and blue. You will also want to add the blue to the yellow in small amounts to work your way up to your desired green. Paint your arch inside of the last one.

Step 6

Finally, mix purple using red and blue. Paint in your final arch!

Step 7

You have now mixed all of the colors needed to paint a rainbow! Paint your own scene with a rainbow in it using the colors you have mixed. Consider adding in extra elements to make your painting more complete.