Lesson 2:

---

Colorful Combos!

Color is one of the first things someone notices about a picture. Today we'll learn about three pairs of very colorful friends. These friends can really spice up a picture!

A Quick Review

In our last lesson we learned that there are really only three colors. They are red, yellow, and blue. These three colors can be mixed up to make three more. They are orange, green, and purple. If you put them in a circle, you have a color wheel.

Today you'll learn a secret about the color wheel. It will help you decide which colors to use when you make a picture.

Friends Across the Wheel

Do you have a friend who really makes you laugh? When the two of you are together, things get very lively? That's how the colors that sit across from one another on the wheel are! They are called "Complementary" colors. When they show up next to each other, they make each other almost vibrate with energy. They really grab your attention. There are three pairs of complementary colors on our wheel. They are red and green, orange and blue, and yellow and purple.

Check it out!

Take a look at these two apple trees. Which tree has brighter apples? Look at the bottom of this page for our answer. Can you think of other places you might see these complementary color combinations? How about other things in nature? In the Spring, look for purple irises with yellow centers. Blue and orange are the colors of my favorite sight: the ocean at sunset.

Remember: If you want a part of your picture to really stand out, color it in complementary colors.

Try out two craft projects which use complementary colors. Use blue in orange artwork to decorate a poem. Or, design your very own butterfly using yellow and purple.

Apple Tree Answer: The red apples stand out more brightly against the green leaves because red and green are complementary colors.

Craft Projects for Lesson 2:
Butterfly Note Holder / Sunset Poem

Home

Copyright 1998 Carol Sabbeth. All Rights Reserved.
Web page design by Carol Sabbeth, author of Kids' Computer Creations
Contact Carol by E-mail at: Sabbeth@aol.com