Colour Theory: Your New Best Friend

When you’re staring at an unpainted miniature, the possibilities can feel overwhelming. Should your space marine be the traditional ultramarine blue, or would a complementary orange scheme make them stand out? Understanding colour theory isn’t just for fine artists – it’s a powerful tool for anyone painting anything in miniature. With this knowledge, you can create visually compelling models that captivate attention on the tabletop. By mastering colour relationships, you can evoke specific moods, highlight focal points and infuse your miniatures with life.

The Essence of Colour Theory 🌈

In essence, colour theory examines how colours interact and the effects they produce when combined. We’ve all heard of the colour wheel – it’s the primary tool for understanding the relationships between primary, secondary and tertiary colours. Familiarity enables you to craft harmonious colour schemes and make informed decisions about shading, highlighting and overall composition. Using a physical or digital colour wheel can be a game-changer in planning your scheme before you even pick up a brush.”

A non annotated diagram of the colour wheel.

Toe Dip Into The Basics

While you might remember primary colours (red, blue, yellow) from school, miniature painting artists often work with more nuanced combinations. Understanding how colours mix is crucial when you’re trying to create realistic shadows or highlights. For example, adding a touch of purple to deepen the shadows of red armour can create more interest than simply using black. One of the biggest challenges in miniature painting is making small details visible at arm’s length, this is where contrast becomes your secret weapon. This isn’t just abstract theory, it’s a practical tool that can help you:

Choose cohesive schemes
Create wow factor heroes
Develop realistic contrast and focal points
Add value contrast (lightness/darkness)
Add colour contrast (colour wheel opposites)

🎨 Not sure where to start with colour theory? You’re not alone. Below, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions miniature painters ask when trying to apply colour theory to their projects. Whether you’re figuring out the difference between hue and value or wondering how to choose a highlight colour, this FAQ will guide you through the essentials – with miniature painting and colour theory in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary colours?

Red, blue and yellow – three colours that cannot be made by mixing other colours together. They’re the base ingredients for colour theory.
What are secondary colours?

Secondary colours are made by mixing two primaries:
Red + Blue = Purple
Blue + Yellow = Green
Red + Yellow = Orange
What are complementary colours?

Complementary colours site opposite one another on the colour wheel, red and green for example, or blue and orange. When placed next to each other, they create COLOUR CONTRAST and natural eye catching combinations. Some powerful examples include:

Blue armour with orange energy effects
Green scales with red wounds
Purple robes with yellow accessories
What is colour harmony?

When painting multiple miniatures, consider a unified scheme. To create colour harmony define a colour palette before starting a project. Experiment, follow the rules, break the rules – but always always – make a plan. Here are a couple of starting points.

IDEA #1 – Use one colour palette & vary the proportions
IDEA #2 – Use different tones of the same colour (+/- Grey)
IDEA #3 – Use different shades of the same colour (+/- Black/White)
IDEA #4 – Use one colour for key elements & vary secondary colours (+/- Tones & Shades)
What is colour temperature?

Colour temperature describes the warmth or coolness of a light source, its pretty scientific and measured in Kelvin (K). Lower values indicate a warmer, more yellowish light, while higher values indicate a cooler, more bluish light. Both create different depths and atmospheres:

Use cooler colours for shadows in cloth
Use warm colours on raised areas to simulate light
Create atmospheric effects with temperature contrast
What is colour intensity?

Colour intensity references the brightness of the colour and is measured in Choma. The higher the intensity, the more vibrant and generally speaking, considered the most pure. Purity correlates with base hue, adding grey or white dilutes purity. Dulling the colours and reducing intensity. For starters:

Not every colour needs to be at full saturation:
Use more muted tones for larger areas
Save your brightest colours for important details
Create depth by varying saturation in different areas
What is Value Contrast

Value (lightness and darkness) is often more important than the actual colours you choose. A well-executed contrast between light and dark areas will make your miniature readable from any distance. This is particularly useful for:

Faces and expressions
Weapon details
Armor panel lines
Cloth folds
How do I know which colours to highlight or shade with?

A common technique is to highlight with a lighter, warmer version of your base colour and shade with a darker, cooler tone or its complementary. For example, a red cloak might be highlighted with orange and shaded with green or dark purple.
Is colour theory different for fantasy vs sci-fi miniatures?

The principles are the same, but application can differ. Fantasy often leans into earthy, natural palettes, while sci-fi models might use bolder or more synthetic colour schemes. Colour theory knowledge helps plan for both, whether you want harmony or intentional dissonance.

FAQ

What are the primary colours in miniature painting?

Identical to primary colours elsewhere – red, blue and yellow. These are colours that cannot be made by mixing other colours together. They’re the base ingredients for colour theory.

What are secondary colours?

Secondary colours are made by mixing two primaries:
Red + Blue = Purple
Blue + Yellow = Green
Red + Yellow = Orange

What are complementary colours?

Complementary colours site opposite one another on the colour wheel, red and green for example, or blue and orange. When placed next to each other, they create COLOUR CONTRAST and natural eye catching combinations. Some powerful examples include.

Blue armour with orange energy effects
Green scales with red wounds
Purple robes with yellow accessories

What is colour harmony

When painting multiple miniatures, consider a unified scheme. To create colour harmony define a colour palette before starting a project. Experiment, follow the rules, break the rules – but always always – make a plan. Here are a couple of starting points.

IDEA #1 – Use one colour palette & vary the proportions
IDEA #2 – Use different tones of the same colour (+/- Grey)
IDEA #3 – Use different shades of the same colour (+/- Black/White)
IDEA #4 – Use one colour for key elements & vary secondary colours (+/- Tones & Shades)

What is colour temperature

Colour temperature describes the warmth or coolness of a light source, its pretty scientific and measured in Kelvin (K). Lower values indicate a warmer, more yellowish light, while higher values indicate a cooler, more bluish light. Both create different depths and atmospheres.

Use cooler colours for shadows in cloth
Use warm colours on raised areas to simulate light
Create atmospheric effects with temperature contrast

What is colour intensity?

Colour intensity references the brightness of the colour and is measured in Choma. The higher the intensity, the more vibrant and generally speaking, considered the most pure. Purity correlates with base hue, adding grey or white dilutes purity. Dulling the colours and reducing intensity. For starters:

Not every colour needs to be at full saturation:
Use more muted tones for larger areas
Save your brightest colours for important details
Create depth by varying saturation in different areas

What is Value Contrast

Value (lightness and darkness) is often more important than the actual colours you choose. A well-executed contrast between light and dark areas will make your miniature readable from any distance. This is particularly useful for:

Faces and expressions
Weapon details
Armor panel lines
Cloth folds

How do I know which colours to highlight or shade with?

A common technique is to highlight with a lighter, warmer version of your base colour and shade with a darker, cooler tone or its complementary. For example, a red cloak might be highlighted with orange and shaded with green or dark purple.

Is colour theory different for fantasy vs sci-fi miniatures?

The principles are the same, but application can differ. Fantasy often leans into earthy, natural palettes, while sci-fi models might use bolder or more synthetic colour schemes. Colour theory knowledge helps plan for both, whether you want harmony or intentional dissonance.

Deeper Dive – Colour Theory in Practice

Leading miniature paint manufacturers emphasise the importance of colour theory in their products and tutorials. We’re not affiliated, but these two articles from The Army Painter and Star Brush Studio offer excellent knowledge progression for you.

The Army Painter: In their guide on selecting colour schemes, they delve into the basics of colour theory, discussing how to choose colours that complement each other and suit the miniature’s role and setting. They provide practical advice on creating visually balanced and thematic palettes. The Army Painter

Starbrush Studio: In their article, they delve into the principles of chromatic harmony, offering techniques and tips on using colour combinations. Using your knowledge of colour theory effectively in miniature painting. They discuss how different colour schemes can evoke various emotions and how to apply these principles to create visually appealing miniatures. Star Brush Studio

Final Thoughts

Integrating colour theory into your miniature painting practice will not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your models but also elevate your confidence as a painter. Understanding value contrast, complementary colours, and colour harmony gives you the power to create visually striking miniatures that stand out on the tabletop.

Next time you sit down to paint, challenge yourself to experiment with a new colour contrast technique- maybe push your highlights further with value contrast or introduce complementary colours in a bold new way. Whether you’re refining an army’s cohesive scheme or making a single hero pop, a deeper understanding of colour theory will help you bring your miniatures to life with greater impact.

So, grab your brushes, test out those colour wheels, and start painting with confidence – because mastering colour theory isn’t just about making good choices, it’s about making your miniatures unforgettable.