COLOUR THEORY - and how it works.
Working with colour doesn't have to stress you out, and sometimes the most unexpected
combinations are the best. You don't have to use the brightest powders in the box, and adorn your
nail creations with crude combinations, some simple adjustments and little colour know how will not
only amaze your clients and build your reputation, but you might ignite a new passion for colour
within.
Whats that, I hear you cry? I don’t know about colour theory!
Fair enough, I completely understand, I admit, as an artist I will nod my head and pretend I know
all about colour theory and what goes with what. But alas this is not the truth. I am an instinctive
when it comes to applying colour, I just allow my creativity to flow and let it come from within, but
that doesn’t work for everyone I know.
Colour theory is actually a simple formulation of combining colours that work well together ‘in
harmony’. It is a set of principles using a colour wheel to give you a visual reference.
According to this theory, these combinations use any two colours opposite each other on the colour
wheel, any three colours equally spaced around the wheel to form a triangle, or any four colours to
form a rectangle. Any of these colour combinations are called colour schemes and will remain
harmonious regardless of the rotation angle.
Colour theory only looks at the relationships
of pure colours; it does not take colour
lightness and saturation into account. While
the shades may vary in your chosen colour
scheme, you can use any tints, shades, and
tones of the colour you have, colour theory
pays attention only to the hue component.
My advice is if your going for 3 colours, keep
the shades the same, all bright, all pastel for
example, to make the nail less busy.
So we have cover the science bit, lets get
busy and start using this theory to our
advantage.
Page 1 of 4
THE INSPIRED ONLINE
Author; Sam Biddle
BASIC COLOUR THEORY
Colour theory combines colours that work well
together, you can combine any two colours opposite
each other on the colour wheel, any three colours
equally spaced around the wheel to form a triangle,
or any four colours to form a rectangle.
Colour Mixing
Your Primary colours are; Blue, Yellow and red,
from these three colour you can mix any other
colour called secondary colours.
for example •
•
•
Blue and Red primary = purple secondary
Red and Yellow primary = orange secondary
Yellow and Blue primary = green secondary
The exact shade or hue of the secondary colour will depend on which red, blue or yellow you have
mixed, and what quantities you have used. giving you in essence very extensive pallette.
But What About Black and White?
Black and white are not classed as a primary, although like red, blue and yellow can not be made
by mixing together other colours. But Black and white aren't used to create any colour and
therefore excluded from the colour mixing theory. They they only lighten and darken your colour
palette. If you add white to a colour you lighten it and if you add black you darken it.
Creating Harmony
The colour theory is taught at school, and something which as an artist is ingrained in us, but how
do we pick the colours we need to make a harmonious nail design.
First lets look at what that means, what is a harmonious design? It is a nail design which is
balanced and pleasing to the eye, I always say ‘does the nail sing’? Does your nail designs engage
the viewer and create an inner sense of order and balance. Colour Combinations
It is important to create a harmonious balance of colours on your
nails. When something is not harmonious, it's either boring or
chaotic. The human brain will reject under-stimulating information,
in other words boring nails, or are your nails so overdone and
chaotic that the viewer can't stand to look at it. The human brain
rejects what it can not organise, what it can not understand.
check out this colour wheel and choose a colour.
the two colours on either side of this colour will reinforce your
colour and give you more scope.
The colour directly opposite your chosen colour will compliment it.
These opposing colours create maximum contrast and maximum
stability to your design.
it really is that simple!
Page 2 of 4
THE INSPIRED ONLINE
Author; Sam Biddle
Hues, Shades, Tints & Tones
Colour theory only looks at the relationships of pure colours; it does not take colour lightness and
saturation into account. While the shades may vary, for nail design try and keep the colour
combinations in your chosen colour scheme to one tint, shade or tone.
A lot of us use the terms hue, tint, tone and shade when referring to colour in art, but did you know
each of these terms has a very specific meaning?
Hue is a term that seems more complicated than it is. A hue is just a colour. More specifically, a
hue is any colour on the colour wheel.
Tints, tones, and shades
are variations of the hues found on the basic colour wheel
when white, black or both are mixed in.
Tints are created when you add white to any hue on the colour wheel. This will lighten and
desaturate the hue, making it less intense. Tints are often referred to as pastel colours, and many
feel they are calmer, quieter colours.
Tones are created when you add both black and white to a hue. You could also say grey has
been added. Depending on the proportions of black, white and the original hue used, tones can be
darker or lighter than the original hue, and will also appear less saturated or intense than the
original hue.
Shades
are created when only black is added to a hue. This results in a rich, often more
intense and darker colour. Because of the overpowering nature of many black pigments, adding
black to a hue is a tricky and sometimes frustrating exercise when mixing paint. Many blacks will
change the character of a hue even in small amounts, so they should be used sparingly.
Alternatively, a hue can often be made darker by adding another dark hue rather than black.
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THE INSPIRED ONLINE
Author; Sam Biddle
Page 4 of 4
THE INSPIRED ONLINE
Author; Sam Biddle