Warm & Cool Colors · Art Prof (2024)

This video explains how warm colors and cool colors can be used to create mood and contrast in an artwork.

While there are colors that are stereotypically seen as “warm” and “cool,” warm and cool colors are contextual, and is often times not as straightforward as it might seem!

Examples from contemporary art and art history are show to illustrate the many nuances of color temperature. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artists Alex Rowe and Lauryn Welch.

Warm & Cool Colors · Art Prof (1)

Video Walkthrough

  • Yellow, orange and red are the “stereotypical” warm colors.
  • Blue, green, and purple are the “stereotypical” cool colors.
  • Blue isn’t always cool!
  • Consider what subjects you associate with physical temperature.
  • What is the difference between a warm grey, and a cool grey?
  • Comparing 2 different reds: Alizarin Crimson and Cadmium red, which is cool, and which is warm?
  • Don’t look at a color in isolation, see colors as a group.
  • Evaluate each color in relation to the colors that are next to it.
  • Saturation can determine whether a color feels warm or cool.
  • Consider different types of environments and the types of colors you associate them with.
  • People perceive color temperature in many different ways.
  • If you’re a beginner painter, starting with fewer colors is easier, you can incrementally add colors as you go.
  • There are infinite shifts of white, white is never really straight white.

Prof Lieu’s Tips

Warm & Cool Colors · Art Prof (2)

I remember after I felt like I finally had somewhat of a decent grasp on color that it completely transformed how I looked at artworks.

I used to think that all the color theory wasn’t really important, that the color decisions were random and that analyzing the colors was just people reading too much into the painting.

Warm & Cool Colors · Art Prof (3)

I went to a museum after gaining knowledge in color theory and my reaction was omg… color theory IS a thing, and it makes so much sense if you take the time to look for it.

Warm & Cool Colors · Art Prof (4)

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Warm & Cool Colors · Art Prof (2024)

FAQs

What are the warm and cool colors for art? ›

Regardless, the general idea is the warm colors are Red, Orange and Yellow; and the cool colors are Green, Blue and Magenta (Figure 2). Figure 2: The classic color wheel divided into Cool and Warm halves. Compare “yellow” to “blue” and it's easy to see yellow is warm and blue is cool.

What artists use warm and cool colors? ›

Artists like Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, Henri Matisse and more contributed to the field through their experimentations with warm and cool palettes, complementary colors and more.

What is the difference between warm colors and cool colors color psychology? ›

Bright, warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) stimulate energy and happiness while cool, subdued colors (blues, greens, purples) are soothing and calming. Bright, warm colors are best in rooms for entertaining like dining rooms or kitchens, while cool colors work best in relaxing spaces like bedrooms or even bathrooms.

Why would an artist use cool colors? ›

Cool colors consist of blue, green, and purple hues. As you can probably guess, these colors represent elements like water, grass, and the sky. The emotions these colors give off are of a dual nature. So, depending on how they're used, cool colors can represent calmness and serenity but also sadness and depression.

Is Phthalo blue cool or warm? ›

Cool blues are those with a green bias. There are many of them - Phthalo Blue, Prussian Blue, Cerulean blue, Manganese Blue, Winsor Blue and so on. It is useful to have one cool blue and one warm blue in a split primary palette.

What are the 5 warm and cool colors? ›

Warm colors: Red, yellow, orange, gold, beige, creamy neutrals, brown, tan. Cool colors: Blue, dark green, gray, slate, deep purple. Hybrid colors: Various shades of green and purple, depending on where they fall on the color wheel—i.e. closer to the warm side or closer to the cool side.

Is purple a cool or warm color? ›

Cool Colors include green, blue and purple and all the variations of those 3. They're more subdued than warm colors.

Is black a warm or cool color? ›

As a rule, neutral colors such as white, black, grey are considered neither warm nor cool. However, a color may appear to lean more toward one side of the spectrum, depending on its undertones.

Is pink warm or cool? ›

In conclusion, pink is generally considered a warm color due to its hue and saturation, as well as its psychological effects.

How do you tell if a watercolor is warm or cool? ›

Warm colours include hues like red, orange, and yellow, which evoke feelings of warmth and energy because they remind us of things like the sun or fire. Cool colours, such as blue, green, and violet, suggest calmness and are reminiscent of elements like water, sky, or foliage.

What are the six warm colors? ›

Warm colors: red, yellow, orange, gold, beige, creamy neutrals, brown and tan.

Is green warm or cool? ›

Blues, greens and grays are cool. If you look at the color wheel, warm colors are on one side of the wheel, and the cools reside on the other. Where they meet, they mix, forming some hybrids, like green and purple. Those colors can be warmer or cooler depending on their mix.

What are examples of warm and cool colors in art? ›

Yellow, orange and red are the “stereotypical” warm colors. Blue, green, and purple are the “stereotypical” cool colors.

What emotion do cool colors represent? ›

Cool colors are often calming, or at least not overly stimulating. Cool colors can help you feel relaxed or at peace. Likewise, warm colors are often energizing, and they can inspire action, passion, or even appetite.

How do you tell if a color is cool or warm? ›

Reds, yellows, oranges and beige are warm. Blues, greens and grays are cool. If you look at the color wheel, warm colors are on one side of the wheel, and the cools reside on the other.

What are color temperatures in art? ›

Color temperature refers to the perceived warmth or coolness of a color. Warm colors like red, orange, and yellow have a higher temperature, while cool colors like blue, green, and purple have a lower temperature. The use of warm or cool colors can have a big impact on the mood of a piece of art.

What are the 6 warm colors? ›

Warm colors: red, yellow, orange, gold, beige, creamy neutrals, brown and tan.

Is white a warm or cool color in art? ›

Interestingly, neat white will also appear warm or cool depending upon the color temperature of the neighbouring highlight. Place a pale pink next to white, and the white will appear cooler. Place a bluish highlight next to white, and the white will appear a little warmer.

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