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Year 1 Creative Arts

Colours and Mixing

Learn about the three special primary colours and how mixing them creates brand new colours!

The Three Special Colours

Red, blue, and yellow are called primary colours. They are special because you CANNOT make them by mixing other colours. They are the starting colours!

Red
Blue
Yellow

Mixing Colours Is Magic!

When you mix two primary colours, you get a brand new colour! Try it with paint!

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Purple
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Orange
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Green

So Many Colours!

From just 3 colours, you can make SO many more. Add white to make a colour lighter. Add more of one colour to change the shade. Artists use mixing to get exactly the colour they want. That is why painting is so much fun!

Colours in the World

A rainbow has all these colours! Flowers, birds, and sunsets are full of colour. Colours make the world beautiful. What is your favourite colour?

Think About It

What two colours would you mix to make green?

Why do you think red, blue, and yellow are called "primary" colours?

Can you find something purple, orange, and green in your classroom?

Knowledge Check

Test what you have learned about colours and mixing!

Question 1

The three primary colours are...

Question 2

What colour do you get when you mix red and blue?

Question 3

What colour do you get when you mix blue and yellow?

Question 4

Primary colours are special because...

Question 5

What colour do you get when you mix red and yellow?

Key Concepts Summary

Year 1: Shapes in Art Year 2: Rhythm and Counting