Color Theory Basics: The Color Wheel
- Nov 12
- 2 min read
Color is one of the first things that draws children into art — it’s fun, emotional, and expressive. But behind every beautiful painting lies a little science called color theory — the study of how colors work together.
At Master Art Academy, we love teaching students how to see and understand color. Once kids learn the basics, their artwork transforms from simple color fills to vibrant, thoughtful creations.
Understanding the Color Wheel
The color wheel is the foundation of color theory — it helps us see how colors relate to one another.
There are three main types of colors:
Primary Colors: Red, Blue, and Yellow. These are your “building blocks.” All other colors come from mixing these three.
Secondary Colors: Orange, Green, and Purple. These are made by mixing two primaries together.
Red + Yellow = Orange
Yellow + Blue = Green
Blue + Red = Purple
Tertiary Colors: These are created by mixing a primary with a nearby secondary color, like red-orange or blue-green.
💡 Fun tip: Let your child make their own mini color wheel using paint, crayons, or even colored paper. It’s a great hands-on way to learn through play!
Color Wheel Template for Home Practice
We use this same Color Wheel Template in both our in-studio lessons and our online Foundations of Art course to help students explore color relationships in a hands-on way.
Here’s how to use it at home with your child:
Primary Colors (Triangles): Start by painting or coloring the three triangle points — red, yellow, and blue. These are your base colors.
Secondary Colors (Circles): Next, mix the primaries to fill in the circles — orange, green, and purple.
Tertiary Colors (Squares): Finally, add the in-between colors (like red-orange and blue-green) in the squares to complete your wheel.
It’s a simple, engaging way to help kids see how colors relate, mix, and complement one another — just like we practice in class.
✨ When kids learn to mix color intentionally, they don’t just paint — they learn to see like an artist.
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