Time to share a favorite freebie with you—a free color wheel template.
Every time I talk about using the complementary method of drawing, color wheels come up. If you’ve been an artist for a while, you probably know what a color wheel is.
But maybe you’ve never made one of your own.
Now’s the time!
To get you started, I decided to offer you a tool you might not have, but do need: A free color wheel. While I’m at it, I’m also including a free value scale template.
Free Color Wheel Template
This is the same template used in the EmptyEasel.com article, Making a Color Wheel with Colored Pencil, but with a few improvements. It can be used for a standard color wheel or as a project-specific color wheel.
The template is a jpg file and should be accessible through any photo manipulation program. All you have to do is open it, print it, and start filling in the slices.
Click here to get your color wheel template.
Free Value Scale Template
The value scale is a 10-part scale that can be used to create gray scale or color values. It can also be used to create a palette for two colors. My sample shows blue, but you can use any colors or color combinations with this template.
This is a great tool for practicing pencil control and pressure levels. It also is ideal for deciding how light or dark to make something. Just lay it over your reference photo to see how light or dark an area is, then shade your drawing until it matches.
The download includes instructions.
The template is a doc file and should be accessible through most Microsoft Word versions or any word processing software that can translate Microsoft Word.
Click here to get a value scale template.
Both templates are free downloads.
Questions?
Leave your question in the comment box below and I’ll answer them as quickly as possible.
I am new with your with e but would love to here more from you.
Annie the new artist in town
Keep reading then! There are nearly 300 posts about colored pencils right here on this website.
You might want to start by clicking on the START HERE link in the menu at the top of the page (under the header image.)
Thank you for always providing a wealth of information in a clear manner. I don’t interact al lot but drink in all that is available and just wanted to thank you, for this and all the other valuable content. You have the heart of a teacher, and hold nothing back. Blessings!
Thank you, Vicky, for your kind and encouraging words. I’m glad to be able to help you.
Thank you for the time and effort you give freely to us! I’m a noob to colored pencils and appreciate your easily understood tutorials.
I am confused though on the value Scale template instructions. It says (in all three) to “Begin with the lightest possible pressure in the box on the left. Increase pressure with each box. Use the heaviest possible pressure in the box on the LEFT”
Is that LEFT an error or am I totally confused about how to color in the value Scale?
Melisse,
First of all, welcome to the wonderful world of colored pencils, and thank you so much for your kind words about my posts.
That instruction is an error. You should work from LEFT to RIGHT if you’re righthanded.
If you’re left handed, then you can reverse the instructions.
Thank you for the heads up. I’m going to have to correct that!
I just bumb into your arts and I found them inspiring and motivating. I love them they are clear, simple and easy to use .
Thank, you, Monaledi, and welcome!
Thank you for your help and support as I’m still new in the art
Monaledi,
Thank you, and you’re welcome. I’m glad to share what I’ve learned over the years.
Hi Carrie
This is a general comment about you your art work and your articles.
Each time I get an email from you I get a little lift in my heart.
Why?
You have a gentle ease about you and a clear uncomplicated way of explaining.
For me this is rare. Generally I sense in some others that their way is the only way- the best, which leaves me with a sense of pressure,construction and possible failure.
As a relative beginner to coloured pencils who mainly draws funky faces my style is very different from yours, yet because you don’t use overly technical language and show some of your errors I think I have a lot to learn from you.
You don’t assume we understand everything arty and your approach is open yet confident in a humble manner.
As you can see I am a massive fan.
Thank you so much. You are like a gentle breeze in the midday heat.
Lesley,
Thank you. I don’t know how to respond to that, especially given the current circumstances in my personal life. You will never know how much your very kind words mean, and how encouraging they are right now.