An artist at work showing how to use a triadic color scheme in art

While some artists don’t choose specific color schemes for their art, choosing a triadic color scheme is helpful and challenging. Learn more now.

BY ALEX TOWNASTALLI, ARTCENTRON

There are many rules when it comes to making art, but one of the best rules is to break these previous rules. One rule that many artists like to break is selecting a color scheme when they start making their art. They often think that limiting their color choices limits their artistic expression. However, knowing how to use a triadic color scheme or other types of color schemes in art is helpful for new artists. Experienced artists can find holding themselves to a specific color scheme challenging as well. Keep reading to learn more about this color scheme option in your art.

Triadic Color Scheme Definition

New artists who are unfamiliar with all the color scheme options available may not have heard about the triadic color scheme yet. In this color scheme, you draw a traditional triangle to select colors that are equidistant from each other on the color wheel. One of these colors is your dominant color while the other two are accents. While these colors still provide the contrast you expect from complementary colors, the addition of the third color provides more visual harmony along with additional vibrancy.

How To Use Triadic Colors

You can use triadic colors in multiple ways. You can safely play with primary or secondary triadic colors or challenge yourself with tertiary triadic colors. To stay within your triadic color scheme but expand your palette, you can change shade, tint, or tone. If you want a base neutral that’s technically part of your chosen color scheme, mix your three colors together. You can also change the shade, tint, and tone of this base neutral as well.

How Triadic Colors Help

Making art is hard and knowing how to get started is even harder. Deciding what you want to paint and what colors you want to use can feel like digging through an endless container of options. Choosing a color scheme such as triadic colors gives you multiple colors to work with while limiting your choices. Limiting yourself can help you focus more on the art you’re making than on making decisions about that art. If you don’t know which triadic color scheme you want to use, consider the color theory of mixing colors and what psychological message you want to send with the colors in your art.

How Triadic Colors Can Challenge

As we mentioned above, new artists may prefer to put limits on themselves as they learn how to create art. Experienced artists who’ve enjoyed breaking artistic rules and pushing limits often find it challenging to return to those early limitations. However, challenges such as color schemes can also produce new avenues of creative expression. If you’re struggling to create something new, consider confining yourself to a color scheme to challenge something new out of yourself.

Knowing how to use any color scheme in art gives the artist a combination of freedom and limitations. Like all artistic color schemes, triadic color schemes help and challenge both the artist and the eventual viewer of the art. The viewer will appreciate the balance and vibrancy of your chosen colors.

Do you know how to use a triadic color scheme in art? Share your experience with us. Leave a comment.