{"id":28410,"date":"2018-08-31T16:08:31","date_gmt":"2018-08-31T16:08:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=28410"},"modified":"2026-01-22T15:07:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T15:07:12","slug":"color-theory-and-mixing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/color-theory-and-mixing","title":{"rendered":"Color Theory and Mixing"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1>Color Theory and Mixing<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"coursetitledes\"><span>CLASS<\/span><i class=\"far fa-chart-bar\" style=\"margin-left:10px; margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Beginner<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"insertbackground\">\n<div class=\"removep\">\n<div class=\"videoflexwrapper\">\n<div class=\"videotop\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Color-Theory-Mixing.jpg\" alt=\"Color theory and mixing with acrylics\"><\/img><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebartop\">\n<div class=\"vertalign\">\n<div class=\"logoimage\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/logosmall75.png\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarcarddescriptiondark\"><span>JOIN THE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR<\/span><br \/>\n    Get ALL of our courses, ebooks, live lessons, critiques, lesson plans and more today.<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbuttonholder\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttonsmem\">START FREE TRIAL<\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperkscontainer\">\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><span>This lesson series features:<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"far fa-clock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>1 Hour of Instruction<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-film\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>1 Video<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p>\n\n<div class=\"contentfix\">\n<div class=\"favorites\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tabs\">\n <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-1\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-1\" class=\"label hidedesklive\">Lessons <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:10px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lessons<\/h2>\n\n<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"curriculumcontainer\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 1: (1:17:35)<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-2\" checked=\"checked\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-2\" class=\"label\">About <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:10px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>About This Lesson Series...<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe <em>Color Theory and Mixing<\/em> lesson series is a foundational and highly practical exploration of how color works and how to mix it effectively using acrylic paints. Whether you are a beginner learning the basics or an experienced artist seeking to strengthen your understanding of color relationships, this series offers clear, hands-on instruction rooted in both theory and practice. Through structured demonstrations and practical mixing exercises, you\u2019ll develop a strong grasp of how colors interact, how to create accurate hues, and how to make confident color choices in your artwork.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Understanding the Color Wheel<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe series begins with the color wheel \u2014 the essential framework for all color understanding. You\u2019ll learn how primary colors (red, blue, yellow) relate to secondary and tertiary hues, and why this structure matters when you\u2019re mixing paints. By exploring these relationships visually and actively with your own palette, you begin to internalize how colors blend, what happens when you mix complementary colors, and how to anticipate outcomes rather than guess. This foundational knowledge makes all subsequent mixing work more precise and expressive.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Value, Hue, and Saturation<\/h2>\n<p>\nColor is more than just hue \u2014 it\u2019s also about value (lightness or darkness) and saturation (intensity). This lesson series dives into how value shifts affect the mood and readability of a painting and how saturation can be controlled to create atmosphere, depth, and emphasis. You\u2019ll learn practical techniques for modifying value with white, black, or complementary colors and how to manage saturation so that colors feel vibrant without overpowering the composition.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Mixing Clean Colors<\/h2>\n<p>\nOne of the biggest challenges artists face is mixing \u201cclean\u201d colors (clear, bright hues that don\u2019t look muddy). This series teaches you how to mix colors efficiently and accurately on the palette before applying them to your painting. Using controlled studies, you\u2019ll practice mixing related hues, blending analogous colors, and avoiding common pitfalls that lead to dull, lifeless mixes. These exercises build confidence and save time when you\u2019re working on larger compositions.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Practical Palette Strategies<\/h2>\n<p>\nAlong with theory, the lessons cover practical strategies for setting up and using your acrylic palette. You\u2019ll learn how to organize your colors for efficiency, how to minimize wasted paint, and how to plan your mixtures in advance for a cohesive result. This includes exercises that help you connect mental concepts (like complementary contrast or color temperature) with actual pigment behavior on the palette. These skills are invaluable when it\u2019s time to make color decisions in a real painting.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Applying Color Theory in Painting<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe final focus of the series is applying what you\u2019ve learned in actual painting scenarios. You\u2019ll explore how to use color theory to enhance composition, create depth, and evoke mood. Lessons demonstrate how color temperature (warm vs. cool) can influence space and focus, how complementary contrasts draw the eye, and how strategic mixing choices can unify an entire piece. This practical application transforms abstract theory into real results in your acrylic work.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Building Confidence with Color<\/h2>\n<p>\nBy the end of the <em>Color Theory and Mixing<\/em> lesson series, you\u2019ll have a comprehensive understanding of how color works \u2014 not just conceptually, but as a working tool in your hand. You\u2019ll walk away with practical mixing skills, stronger visual intuition, and the confidence to make deliberate, expressive color choices in your acrylic paintings. This series helps unlock color as a powerful expressive element rather than a source of uncertainty, giving you greater control over your artwork\u2019s impact and harmony.\n<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-3\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-3\" class=\"label\">Resources <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:10px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Resources for this Lesson...<\/h2>\n\n<\/p>\n<h4>References<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i class=\"fas fa-camera\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Color Theory Cheat Sheet<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-4\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-4\" class=\"label\">Materials <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:10px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Here's what you'll need...<\/h2>\n<p>Your Choice of Paint Type...<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cadmium Yellow and Lemon Yellow<\/li>\n<li>Cadmium Red and Alizarin Crimson<\/li>\n<li>Phthalo Blue and Ultramarine<\/li>\n<li>Titanium White and Ivory Black<\/li>\n<li>Palette Knife and Palette<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbottom\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Your Instructor<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructor\">\n<div class=\"instructorimage\">\n<div class=\"instructorpic\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ashley-hurst.png\" alt=\"Ashley Hurst - Instructor\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"instructorname\">Ashley Hurst<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructordes\">\n<p>Expert teacher and visual artist. Ashley is encouraging and makes creating art easy to understand.<\/p>\n<p><div style=\"padding-top:10px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/author\/ahurst\">Learn more about Ashley<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relatedcoursescontainer\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Related Courses and Classes<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/painting-a-duck-with-acrylics\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Duck with Acrylics<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/duck-with-acrylics-400.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/blueberries-with-acrylics\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Blueberries with Acrylics<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Blueberries-with-acrylics-sq-400.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-acrylic-painting-academy\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>The Acrylic Painting Academy<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Acrylic-Painting-Academy-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><script>\n$(\".curriculumcontainermem a\").click(function(){\n    $('.curriculumcontainermem a.selected').not(this).removeClass('selected');\n    $(this).toggleClass('selected');\n })\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\n$(\".curriculumcontainer a\").click(function(){\n    $('.curriculumcontainer a.curriculumselected').not(this).removeClass('curriculumselected');\n    $(this).toggleClass('curriculumselected');\n })\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\n    var iframe = document.querySelector('iframe');\n    var player = new Vimeo.Player(iframe);<\/p>\n<p>    player.on('play', function() {\n        console.log('played the video!');\n    });<\/p>\n<p>    player.getVideoTitle().then(function(title) {\n        console.log('title:', title);\n    });\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid1() {\nplayer.loadVideo(287651988).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Color Theory and Mixing CLASSBeginner Lessons Lessons About About This Lesson Series&#8230; The Color Theory and Mixing lesson series is a foundational and highly practical exploration of how color works and how to mix it effectively using acrylic paints. Whether you are a beginner learning the basics or an experienced artist seeking to strengthen your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"paget-iframe.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28410","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/28410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28410"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/28410\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45448,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/28410\/revisions\/45448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}