The colors used in a painting can invoke a feeling or mood. Imagine the difference between a painting that has bright, crisp colors versus one that has only dark hues. This feeling often occurs because the image is dominated by either a cool or warm color palette.
Generally, cool colors include purples, blues, and greens, while warm colors include yellows, oranges, and reds (Figure 1). If you want to invoke a soothing or calming feeling, then choose a color palette dominated by cool colors. If you want to invoke an uplifting or energizing feeling, then choose a color palette dominated by warm colors. Cool colors are relaxing, peaceful, and refreshing, while warm colors are joyful, energetic, and playful.
Even within color spectrums, some colors are cooler or warmer than others. For example, yellows that have a greenish tint are cooler than yellows that have an orange tint. Reds that have a bluish tint are cooler than reds that have an orange tint. Greens that have a bluish tint are cooler than greens that have a yellowish tint. Blues that have a reddish tint are warmer than blues that have a greenish tint.
Recognizing cool and warm colors is important when mixing colors. Mixing a cool yellow with a cool blue will make a clean cool green. Mixing a warm yellow with a warm red will make a clean warm orange. Mixing cool and warm colors together, however, will have a much different effect (Video 1).