10 Color Wheel Drawing Ideas You Can Try Today

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 9 min read

1. Grab a Set of Prismacolor Colored Pencils

2. Try the Monochromatic Color Scheme

3. Dive into the Analogous Color Scheme

4. Experiment with the Complementary Color Scheme

5. Venture into the Split-Complementary Color Scheme

6. Explore the Triadic Color Scheme

7. Navigate the Tetradic Color Scheme

8. Pick from the NYC Color Wheel

9. Use the Microsoft Paint Color Wheel

10. Create a Color Wheel Inspired by the Beauty of Portland, Oregon

When it comes to art, color is everything. It's the language that brings your ideas to life. And one of the fun and practical ways to explore the world of color is through creating a color wheel. If you're searching for some unique color wheel drawing ideas, you've come to the right place. We've got 10 exciting ideas that will add a splash of color to your artistic journey.

1. Grab a Set of Prismacolor Colored Pencils

One of the best ways to start your color wheel project is by using Prismacolor colored pencils. These pencils are loved by artists of all levels for their smooth, vibrant colors that are perfect for color wheel creations.

Here's how you can use these pencils to create your color wheel:

Start with Primary Colors: Begin your color wheel with the three primary colors—red, blue, and yellow. Prismacolor offers a variety of shades in these colors, so pick the ones you love the most and get started.
Add Secondary Colors: Next, it's time to add secondary colors. These are created by mixing two primary colors. For example, red and blue make purple, blue and yellow make green, and red and yellow make orange. Don’t worry if you don’t have these exact shades in your Prismacolor set, you can create them by layering two primary colors together.
Finish with Tertiary Colors: Finally, fill in the gaps in your color wheel with tertiary colors. These are formed by mixing a primary color with a secondary color. For example, red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-purple, and red-purple. Again, layer colors to achieve the desired effect.

Creating a color wheel with Prismacolor colored pencils not only helps you understand color relationships better, but also provides a hands-on experience with color blending. So go ahead, grab your set, and bring your color wheel drawing ideas to life.

2. Try the Monochromatic Color Scheme

Ever thought about creating a color wheel with just one color? Sounds impossible, right? Well, that's where the fun of the monochromatic color scheme comes into play. It's a fantastic color wheel drawing idea that challenges you to explore the depth of a single color.

Here's what you need to do:

Pick Your Favorite Color: The first step is to choose the color you want to work with. It could be anything from a soothing blue to a fiery red. Remember, it's your color wheel, so your favorite color gets the spotlight.
Start with the Darkest Shade: Use the darkest shade of your chosen color at the top of your color wheel. This will be your starting point.
Gradually Lighten the Shade: As you move around the wheel, gradually lighten the shade of the color. You can achieve this by adding more white or using less pressure when applying the color.
End with the Lightest Shade: By the time you've completed the circle, you should end up with the lightest possible shade of your color.

Creating a monochromatic color wheel is a great way to explore the range of a single color. It's not only a fun exercise, but it also helps you understand how different shades of a color can create a sense of harmony in your artwork. So, why not give this color wheel drawing idea a go?

3. Dive into the Analogous Color Scheme

Here's another color wheel drawing idea for you — the analogous color scheme. It's a fancy term, but don't worry, it's easier than it sounds. An analogous color scheme involves colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. They're the best of pals, and they create beautiful harmony when used together.

Follow these steps to create an analogous color wheel:

Choose Your Starting Point: Pick a color on the color wheel as your starting point. Let's say you choose green.
Find the Neighbors: Look at the colors next to green on the color wheel. In this case, you'll find yellow-green and blue-green as the immediate neighbors of green.
Fill in the Wheel: Now fill in your color wheel with these analogous colors. Start with green, then move to yellow-green and end with blue-green.

Analogous color wheels are a great way to learn about color harmony and how colors work together. Plus, they're gorgeous to look at and can inspire your next art project. So why not dive into this color wheel drawing idea today?

4. Experiment with the Complementary Color Scheme

Complementary colors are another fun concept in the world of color wheel drawing ideas. Complementary colors are those that sit opposite each other on the color wheel, like red and green or blue and orange. They're like the yin and yang of the color world, and when you put them together, they create a vibrant contrast that can make your artwork pop.

Here's how you can create a complementary color wheel:

Start with a Color: Choose any color on the wheel as your starting point. Let's say you start with red.
Find its Complement: Now, look directly across the wheel from red. You'll find green, its complement.
Draw the Wheel: Draw a line connecting the two colors on your color wheel, creating a visual representation of their complementary relationship.

Playing with complementary colors can lead to some amazing color wheel drawing ideas. This scheme is especially useful if you want to create high contrast and dynamic visuals. Just remember - when it comes to complementary colors, opposites definitely attract!

5. Venture into the Split-Complementary Color Scheme

Next on our list of color wheel drawing ideas is the split-complementary color scheme. This scheme is a slight variation on the complementary color scheme, and it's just as exciting to explore.

In a split-complementary color scheme, you start with a base color. Then, instead of choosing the color directly opposite (like in the complementary scheme), you pick the two colors on either side of it. This gives you a wider range of colors to work with, and it can make your artwork even more vibrant and dynamic.

Let's break this down:

Choose Your Base Color: Let's say you choose blue.
Find the Complement: Look directly across the color wheel from blue. You'll see orange.
Split the Complement: Instead of choosing orange, pick the two colors on either side of it. In this case, that's red-orange and yellow-orange.
Create Your Scheme: Now, you have your split-complementary color scheme: blue, red-orange, and yellow-orange.

See? Even a tiny tweak can bring a whole new dimension to your color wheel drawing ideas. So, why not give the split-complementary color scheme a try? It might just add that extra "oomph" to your next art project!

6. Explore the Triadic Color Scheme

Now let's move on to another fascinating color wheel drawing idea: the triadic color scheme. As the name suggests, a triadic color scheme involves three colors. But these aren't just any three colors — they're evenly spaced around the color wheel, forming a perfect triangle.

Triadic color schemes are super versatile. They can be bold and vibrant, or soft and subdued, depending on the colors you choose and how you use them. The key is to balance the colors in a way that pleases the eye.

Follow these steps to create a triadic color scheme:

Pick a Starting Color: Any color on the color wheel will do. Let's say you go with red.
Form a Triangle: From your starting color, draw an equilateral triangle across the color wheel. The other two points of your triangle will land on blue and yellow.
Create Your Scheme: There you have it! Your triadic color scheme is red, blue, and yellow.

Voila! You have a new color scheme to play with. Whether you're doodling in your sketchbook or creating a masterpiece, a triadic color scheme can add a fresh, vibrant touch to your work.

Who knew that exploring color wheel drawing ideas could be such a fun adventure? So, what are you waiting for? Grab your colors and start experimenting with the triadic color scheme today!

7. Navigate the Tetradic Color Scheme

Just when you thought color wheel drawing ideas couldn't get any more exciting, we introduce the tetradic color scheme. This scheme, also known as the double-complementary scheme, involves four colors instead of three. Intrigued? Let's dive in.

The tetradic color scheme includes two pairs of complementary colors. Just like in a square, the colors are evenly spaced on the wheel, creating a perfect balance.

Here's how you can navigate your own tetradic color scheme:

Choose Your First Complementary Pair: Start with any color on the wheel. For instance, imagine you choose green. The complementary color to green is red, so that's your first pair.
Select Your Second Pair: Now pick another color, say, orange. The complementary color to orange is blue. And there you have it - your second pair.
Form Your Tetradic Scheme: Combine the two pairs, and your tetradic color scheme is complete: green, red, orange, and blue.

A tetradic color scheme offers a rich variety of tones and can make your artwork pop. But remember, with great color comes great responsibility — balance and harmony are key!

So, are you ready to navigate the world of tetradic color schemes? It's yet another exciting avenue to explore in your color wheel drawing ideas journey. Happy coloring!

8. Pick from the NYC Color Wheel

Imagine if you could capture the essence of the Big Apple in your color wheel drawing ideas. Sounds thrilling, doesn't it? Well, you can do just that with the NYC Color Wheel!

The NYC Color Wheel is a concept inspired by the vibrant and diverse colors of New York City. Think about the yellow of the famous taxis, the green of Central Park, the blue of the East River, and the myriad of colors that adorn Times Square. The city is a living, breathing color wheel!

Here's how you can bring the NYC Color Wheel to life:

Start with a Memory: Think about a memorable NYC scene. Maybe it's the fiery sunset over the cityscape, the cool blues of a snowy Central Park, or the energetic neon lights of Broadway. Use this as your starting point.
Identify the Colors: Break down this scene into individual colors. For instance, a sunset could offer hues of red, orange, pink, and purple.
Form Your NYC Color Wheel: Fill in your color wheel with these colors. Remember to place them as they naturally transition into each other.

Voila! You've just created a color wheel inspired by the city that never sleeps. This approach can add a personalized touch to your color wheel drawing ideas and bring a piece of NYC into your art.

So why not give it a spin? After all, if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere!

9. Use the Microsoft Paint Color Wheel

Microsoft Paint—remember that? It's not just a nostalgic software from your childhood, but a surprisingly handy tool for color wheel drawing ideas. Who knew, right?

Microsoft Paint might not be as advanced as today's digital art tools, but it does offer a nifty color wheel. And the best part? It's super easy to use, even for beginners.

Here's how you can use the Microsoft Paint Color Wheel for your next art project:

Open Microsoft Paint: It's usually found in the accessories folder of your Windows computer. If you can't find it, just search for "Paint" in the start menu.
Find the Color Wheel: Go to the Colors group and click "Edit Colors". This will open a color box with a color spectrum—your color wheel!
Choose Your Colors: Click anywhere on the color spectrum to choose a color. You can adjust the luminosity with the vertical slider on the right.
Apply Your Colors: Once you've chosen your colors, use the bucket tool or the brush tool to apply them to your drawing.

And there you have it! You've just used the Microsoft Paint color wheel for your drawing. It might be a simple tool, but it can open up a world of color wheel drawing ideas.

So, ready to take a trip down memory lane with Microsoft Paint? Your next masterpiece awaits!

10. Create a Color Wheel Inspired by the Beauty of Portland, Oregon

Ever thought of taking your color wheel drawing ideas outside? No, not literally, but inspired by the great outdoors. Let's take a virtual trip to Portland, Oregon, a city known for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant cityscape.

Portland is not only famous for its lush greenery, roses, and the Willamette River, but it's also renowned for its artsy vibe. So, why not combine these elements and create a color wheel drawing inspired by this beautiful city?

Here's a fun way to bring a little bit of Portland into your art:

Green Tones: Start with different shades of green inspired by the city's parks and forests. Think about the mossy greens of Forest Park or the fresh greens of the International Rose Test Garden.
Rose Hues: Add in some reds, pinks, and whites, inspired by the city's famous roses. The variation of colors in these petals can create a beautiful spectrum in your color wheel.
Water Blues: Incorporate blues from the Willamette River and the sky above. Remember, the river isn't just one shade of blue—it changes with the weather and the time of day.
City Colors: Finally, don't forget the colors of the city itself. The brown and gray of the buildings, the yellow and black of the city's iconic signs, and the multicolored murals that adorn its walls.

With this color wheel drawing idea, you're not just creating a piece of art—you're taking a journey. A journey that lets you explore the colors of Portland, Oregon, right from your drawing table.

So, ready to turn Portland's color palette into your next color wheel drawing? Happy drawing!

If you're looking to expand your knowledge on color wheel drawing and implement creative storytelling through color palettes, don't miss out on Carolina Vázquez's workshop, 'Illustration Tips: Creative Storytelling with Colour palettes'. This workshop will not only inspire you with new drawing ideas but also teach you how to effectively use color palettes to enhance your storytelling skills in illustration.