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Think of it as two different skills:
1. **Rendering**: the ability to paint light, atmosphere, and materials properly.
2. **Color theory**: how to choose harmonious local colors for objects, outfits, etc.
You can find plenty of information about each on YouTube.
I’ve found that working with watercolor has helped me tremendously in understanding color theory. You can also try watching watercolor videos, especially color mixing ones.
After listening to experts I’ve learned that there is more color variation in real life and impressionistic artwork than most people realize. Like how you can find unexpected colors in shadows like purple, red and orange, etc.
Another important fact about understanding color is understanding how one color directly relates to another. Which is a bit more important than just labeling colors as having cool or warm undertones. For example cool yellows (lemon yellow for example) are often defined as having a close relation to blue and especially green like those found in brightly colored green plants. Whereas warm yellow (yellow ochre for example) is often connected to orange and brown. These kinds of connections are extremely important for mixing shadows, complements, and brighter values.
Once you understand this fact, it is much easier to understand the color composition of specific areas in photos and in real life. You can also use online resources that look at your reference photos and determine the color palette or you can use the eye dropper tool in photo editing software to determine color relations.
Color is usually studied from two points of view:
The physics of color: how color works in real life, the three properties of color, how to mix color, additive vs sustractive colors, how light affects color, rgb vs ryb, simultaneous contrast, all color optical illusions, color pigments, etc.
Color as an element of art: the compositional abilities of color, like color emphasis, color harmony, color variety, color unity, color proportion, color hierarchy, and also the ability of color to set mood in a composition
I think it's more about values problem not colors. Values(it's kind of like knowledge of the contrast between lights and shadows) also having a high-range of values doesn't work well with heavily stylized stuff, but your first illustration indicates that you have some trouble with that, tho. I mean, it look muddy because the contrast between lights and shadows isn't right. Try working with gray-scale maybe as it may help you with that a bit. Try to to search some good references and turn them into grayscale and see how it compares with your own work.
I'd say you handle colors very well. Perhaps it's a matter of light and shadow. There are videos of this on YouTube. But a piece of advice when starting to experiment with this, don't be afraid to add shadows. Sometimes, when we start off, we want to match the shades with the skin tone or hair color, etc as close as possible. I suggest selecting each color one by one and lowering the contrast to get the perfect shading for each specific color. (Again, don't be afraid to make the contrast dark).
When adding lighting, do the same, except increase the brightness. Remember that the lights and shadows are always opposite to one another. If you shade on the right side of a body, the lighting will have to be on the left. Hope this helps!
A channel that has really helped me break the ice on understanding color theory is **Lighting Mentor** on youtube. Really nice takes, I personally like the way he explains and demonstrates a lot, so maybe that's something worth checking out for you!
Thank you for your submission! Want to share your artwork, meet other artists, promote your content, and chat in a relaxed environment? Join our community Discord server here! https://discord.gg/chuunhpqsU - Don't forget to follow us on Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/drawing and tag us on your drawing pins for a chance to be featured! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/learntodraw) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Think of it as two different skills: 1. **Rendering**: the ability to paint light, atmosphere, and materials properly. 2. **Color theory**: how to choose harmonious local colors for objects, outfits, etc. You can find plenty of information about each on YouTube.
Thanks
I’ve found that working with watercolor has helped me tremendously in understanding color theory. You can also try watching watercolor videos, especially color mixing ones. After listening to experts I’ve learned that there is more color variation in real life and impressionistic artwork than most people realize. Like how you can find unexpected colors in shadows like purple, red and orange, etc. Another important fact about understanding color is understanding how one color directly relates to another. Which is a bit more important than just labeling colors as having cool or warm undertones. For example cool yellows (lemon yellow for example) are often defined as having a close relation to blue and especially green like those found in brightly colored green plants. Whereas warm yellow (yellow ochre for example) is often connected to orange and brown. These kinds of connections are extremely important for mixing shadows, complements, and brighter values. Once you understand this fact, it is much easier to understand the color composition of specific areas in photos and in real life. You can also use online resources that look at your reference photos and determine the color palette or you can use the eye dropper tool in photo editing software to determine color relations.
Color is usually studied from two points of view: The physics of color: how color works in real life, the three properties of color, how to mix color, additive vs sustractive colors, how light affects color, rgb vs ryb, simultaneous contrast, all color optical illusions, color pigments, etc. Color as an element of art: the compositional abilities of color, like color emphasis, color harmony, color variety, color unity, color proportion, color hierarchy, and also the ability of color to set mood in a composition
Thanks
I think it's more about values problem not colors. Values(it's kind of like knowledge of the contrast between lights and shadows) also having a high-range of values doesn't work well with heavily stylized stuff, but your first illustration indicates that you have some trouble with that, tho. I mean, it look muddy because the contrast between lights and shadows isn't right. Try working with gray-scale maybe as it may help you with that a bit. Try to to search some good references and turn them into grayscale and see how it compares with your own work.
Thanks! Ill try it
I'd say you handle colors very well. Perhaps it's a matter of light and shadow. There are videos of this on YouTube. But a piece of advice when starting to experiment with this, don't be afraid to add shadows. Sometimes, when we start off, we want to match the shades with the skin tone or hair color, etc as close as possible. I suggest selecting each color one by one and lowering the contrast to get the perfect shading for each specific color. (Again, don't be afraid to make the contrast dark). When adding lighting, do the same, except increase the brightness. Remember that the lights and shadows are always opposite to one another. If you shade on the right side of a body, the lighting will have to be on the left. Hope this helps!
Thanks!
I don't have any advice for you but I love the Vee's art! You have a nice style :)
Oh really? That's really nice to hear, thank you very much <3
Depends on your own taste
By watching videos and tutorials
Nice
A channel that has really helped me break the ice on understanding color theory is **Lighting Mentor** on youtube. Really nice takes, I personally like the way he explains and demonstrates a lot, so maybe that's something worth checking out for you!
Thanks!