Checkout
Recorded Course
Peter Donahue’s Color Temperature for Painters
About the Course
A groundbreaking class on warm and cool colors! Students will learn the scientific basis for color temperature, an important and often misunderstood area of color theory. Through oil painting assignments, they will learn how to simulate “spectral bias,” starting with shifting their palettes warm and cool. They will learn how to plan, prepare, and execute palettes for paintings that recreate atmospheric perspective, “golden hour” sunlight, and the effect of multiple light sources with different color temperatures.
WHAT YOU GET
6 Classes
Recorded Live Classes
Reference Images
Reference
Library
Curated Color Diagrams
Homework
6 Assignments
COMMUNITY & ACCESS
Drawing America
Your home for drawing & painting
Welcome! Post homework in the correct course thread. Live sessions, review feed, and scheduled posts are all in the left nav.
Live Sessions
Review Feed
Join Jennifer Gennari, Will Weston
Materials List
About Your Instructor
Peter Donahue
Instructor, Color Theory Peter Donahue is an educator and content creator whose teaching brings clarity and accessibility to one of art’s most misunderstood subjects: color.
Best known for his online presence as @color.nerd on TikTok (480,000 followers) and @art.pete.repeat on Instagram (400,000 followers), he has helped hundreds of thousands of artists, designers, and educators build a stronger understanding of how color really works. His approach combines art history, science, and hands-on practice, breaking down complex theories into practical tools that students can immediately apply in their work. Beyond social media, Peter creates courses, printable resources, and videos that are used by artists and educators around the world. Peter’s expertise is also sought by companies and institutions looking for deeper insight into color. He has consulted with clients ranging from glass manufacturers to luxury textile brands, filmmakers, and major art supply companies, advising on everything from product development to visual storytelling. As a lecturer and workshop leader, Peter has spoken internationally on the teaching of color theory, delivering keynote addresses for organizations such as the Inter-Society Colour Council and lectures at schools including RISD and Chapman University. His workshops have been hosted by museums, universities, and arts organizations, including the NSU Art Museum, Fort Lauderdale and Contemporary Arts Memphis. Whether online or in person, Peter’s goal is the same: to give artists confidence with color by replacing myths and formulas with understanding, curiosity, and play.
