Colour can play a critical role in helping you create visually appealing and impactful digital art. The right colour choices are evocative of specific emotions, they help to establish a cohesive aesthetic, and elevate and improve the overall quality of your artwork. Today, we’ll explore some essential tips and valuable techniques for selecting colours in digital art, as demonstrated by Aaron Rutten in his informational video.
In the video below, Corel Painter Master Elite Aaron Rutten will walk you through the basics of choosing colours in digital art. Take a look at the following article for a summary of his tutorial; for more information about Aaron or to sign up for a comprehensive course from him, see more information at the bottom of this entry.
Understanding Colour Theory Essentials
Before we take a dip into palette selection strategies, it’s essential to grasp the basics of colour theory. Aaron explains the three main components of colour: hue, saturation, and value (brightness). Hue refers to the specific colours (red, blue, green, etc.), saturation determines the vibrancy or dullness of the colour, and value controls the lightness or darkness.
Researching and practicing these concepts will help you make more informed colour choices and understand how different hues, saturations, and colour values interact with one another.
Choosing a palette
One of the most effective ways to achieve colour harmony in your digital art is by selecting a cohesive colour palette. Aaron suggests using complementary or analogous colour schemes as a starting point.
Complementary colours are opposite each other on the colour wheel (for example, red and cyan or yellow and indigo), creating a high-contrast and vibrant combination. Analogous colours, on the other hand, are adjacent on the colour wheel (e.g., shades of blue and green), resulting in a more harmonious and soothing palette.
Image by Dee Worrall from Burst
Tips for creating a colour palette
To ensure your colour palette remains cohesive and visually appealing, Aaron shares three helpful tricks:
1. Use a limited number of hues. Restricting your palette to a few carefully chosen hues can create a sense of unity and prevent your artwork from appearing chaotic or overwhelming.
2. Vary saturation and value. Try to limit the number of hues, but experiment with different saturations and values of those hues to add depth and interest to your artwork.
3. Incorporate neutrals. Introducing neutral colours like white, black, or greys can help balance and ground your palette, providing a foundation for your vibrant hues to shine.
By following these techniques, you can develop cohesive and visually striking colour palettes that enhance the overall impact of your digital art.
Choosing colours for your digital art is crucial to the creative process. By understanding colour theory, experimenting with different hues, shades, schemes, drawing inspiration from various sources, and applying Aaron Rutten’s insightful tips, you can better elevate and add polish to your artwork and create visually stunning pieces that your audience will enjoy.
About the artist
Aaron Rutten is a Seattle-based Corel Painter Master, who specializes in combining traditional art techniques with modern digital art tools. While he works with both traditional and digital media, he prefers to be on the leading edge of a constantly-evolving profession by embracing the latest art tools and technology. He is currently putting most of his focus into his popular YouTube channel, where he teaches people how to make digital art. He also provides art courses on Gumroad.
How You Can Learn More
Mastering the intricate techniques and skills required in the ever-evolving realm of digital art can be daunting. From layer management to colour selection, artists must navigate a vast array of complexities, often scouring the internet for reliable and relevant information tailored to their specific art software. As a seasoned digital artist, Aaron Rutten has crafted an exceptional video course that promises to revolutionize how Wacom users approach their craft: Essential Skills Every Digital Artist Must Know. This comprehensive course explores more than 40 of the most essential skills every digital artist should possess, providing a one-stop-shop for artists seeking to elevate their abilities.
What sets this course apart is its universal applicability across various art software platforms, such as: Krita, Rebelle, Photoshop, Corel Painter, and Clip Studio Paint. By imparting knowledge that transcends software boundaries, Rutten empowers artists to be versatile and adaptable, equipping them with the tools to tackle any digital art challenge that comes their way.
In a display of commitment to accessibility, Rutten has adopted a “Pay What You Want” model for this course, with a minimum price of $14.99 but the option to enter a custom amount. This innovative approach ensures that financial constraints need not hinder the pursuit of artistic excellence, making this course a must-have for any Wacom user seeking to unlock their full creative potential. Click here to sign up or learn more.
Note: the feature image used for this blog post was created by Patchanu Noree and was accessed via Burst.
