How do you choose a PRIMARY color palette?
If you wish to keep things simple (and affordable) at first, choose from the following and you will do fine:

The primary colors are:
  1. Red (specifically a strong, vibrant red like Cadmium Red (warm) or Alizarin Crimson (cool)).
  2. Blue (such as Phthalo Blue (cool) or Ultramarine Blue (warm)).
  3. Yellow (like Cadmium Yellow (warm) or Hansa Yellow (cool)).
If you choose a warm red, blue and yellow - they will be more compatible and harmonious; if you choose a cool warm red, yellow and blue, they will be more harmonious. If you mix cool and warm primaries, you will get more contrast and need to do more color mixing to achieve harmony :)

Keep in mind that there are warm and cool primaries as follows in the Novacolor Acrylic paint line (as well as any medium's available colors):

1. Warm and Cool Reds

  • Warm Red:
    • Cadmium Red (a rich, intense red with a slightly orange undertone)
    • Cadmium Red Deep (a darker, more intense red with a bit of brownish undertone)
    • Napthol Red (a bright, slightly orange-toned red)
  • Cool Red:
    • Alizarin Crimson (a deep, cool red with a slightly purple tone)
    • Permanent Rose (a cooler, bluish red, great for mixing purples)
    • Quinacridone Red (a transparent, slightly purple-toned red)

2. Warm and Cool Blues

  • Warm Blue:
    • Cerulean Blue (a light blue with a strong, warm, slightly greenish undertone)
    • Ultramarine Blue (a rich, warm blue with hints of red)
    • Cobalt Blue (a balanced, warm blue with a slight greenish tint)
  • Cool Blue:
    • Phthalo Blue (a highly intense, cool blue with a slight greenish undertone)
    • Manganese Blue (a cooler blue with a more violet tone)
    • Cyan Blue (a more vivid, true cool blue)

3. Warm and Cool Yellows

  • Warm Yellow:
    • Cadmium Yellow (a rich, warm yellow with a hint of orange)
    • Cadmium Yellow Deep (a darker, more intense yellow with a red undertone)
    • Indian Yellow (a warm, golden yellow with a touch of brown)
  • Cool Yellow:
    • Hansa Yellow (a cool, bright yellow)
    • Lemon Yellow (a cool, pale yellow with a slight greenish undertone)
    • Azo Yellow (a cool, bright yellow with a more acidic, greenish tone)

These variations give artists a broader palette for mixing, allowing for greater control over the warmth and coolness of the colors they use in their artwork. For instance, warm reds and yellows can be used to create vibrant, fiery colors, while cool blues and reds are often used to create calming or more subdued tones.