The foundation of the traditional painter's color wheel is the primary color triad. These are located at equal distances around the wheel with yellow at the top. Each primary color is initially separated from the other two by 3 blank slots. The primary colors cannot be mixed from any other combination of colors and are the foundation of your watercolor palette.

Secondary colors are achieved by mixing one primary color with another in equal amounts. For example 50% yellow and 50% red = orange. There are 3 secondary colors on the color wheel, located in slots positioned exactly halfway between their parent colors.

Tertiary colors are created by mixing a primary color with an adjacent secondary color. So for example yellow mixed with orange = yellow-orange. There are a total of 6 tertiary colors on the color wheel, all located in the gaps between the primary and secondary colors. The naming convention for tertiary colors always begins with the primary color name + the secondary color name.

Primary Colors

• Yellow

• Red

• Blue

Secondary Colors

• Orange

• Purple

• Green

Tertiary Colors

• Yellow-orange

• Red-orange

• Red-purple

• Blue-purple

• Blue-green

• Yellow-green
  

Colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel are known as
complementary colors. When you place these colors side by side in a painting they
create the strongest amount of contrast. Two complementary colors placed into a
painting will enhance each other and produce vibrant and exciting results.