Review a color wheel to see color basics and to understand a little more about the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.

Primary colors – red, yellow, blue
Secondary colors – green, orange, violet
Tertiary colors – red/orange, red/violet, yellow/orange, yellow/green, blue/violet, blue/green [based on primary colors]

While a color wheel can explain what the colors are and their relationship to each other, understanding the difference between warm, cool and neutral shades will help you more in the long run.

Think of sun or fire shades as warm colors and water and grass as cool shades. Colors such as brown and gray are neutral shades.

Don’t forget that ultimately color is about what you like or sometimes what you “love”. Notice what colors you gravitate to when given a choice. Look at your closet. Is it full or greens and blues or do you choose love reds, rusts, and purples?

Look at color mixtures in clothing, tableware and home décor. Colors for these kinds of things are created by color experts. They might help you to make good choices.

Paint departments are great sources for color ideas. Pick up some free brochures and booklets showing color mixes for inspiration.

Look for good lighting. Colors change under florescent lights. Daylight is usually the best light to view color.
If you want a great book to help with your choices, look at ColorSense: Creative Color Combinations for Crafters by Susan Levin (2008, Sixth and Spring Books).

For more in-depth lessons on color, go to web sites like:
www.colortheory.liquisoft.com
or
www.colormatters.com/colortheory.html