'Color' is all around us. It adds excitement and emotion to our lives. Everything from the clothes we wear, the pictures we paint, and our environment revolves around color. Without color, the world would be a much less attractive place.
About Color
It is defined as:
noun
- 1. The property possessed by an object produces different sensations within the human eye and brain system due to how the object reflects or emits light.
- 2. Change (something) color by painting, dyeing, or shading it.
Vocabulary
Include the following terminology.
Fundamentals
- Hue - It is the name of the color or 'hue family,' i.e., red, orange, yellow.
- Value or Tone - Describes the lightness or darkness of a color relative to its surroundings.
- Intensity or Brightness - It is the brightness or dullness of a color relative to its surroundings.
- Temperature - It describes the warmness or coolness of a color relative to its surroundings.
Intermediate
Color Wheels
Include the following.
Traditional
The traditional color wheel primary colors include:
YELLOW, RED, and BLUE.
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| Traditional Color Wheel |
Munsell
Albert Munsell created what is now called the Munsell color wheel. There are 5 principal or primary hues: Red (R), Yellow (Y), Green (G), Blue (B), Purple (P).
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| The Munsell Wheel in Color Space |
Reference: Munsell Hue Circle Poster by Munsell Color, Retrieved 2022.
Mixing
Include the following.
- Color Space for Painters - Color Space is defined as a specific organization of colors, and many different models depend on whether you are working with digital images, photography, or paint.
- Color Bias - Most traditional pigments have an undertone that leans toward another color.
- The Color of Light - Whether it's yellow sunlight, blue light reflected from the sky, or orange candlelight, painters are always concerned with the light's 'hue' or color.
Traditional Colors
Include the following.
Primary Colors
The traditional color wheel primary colors include:
YELLOW, RED, and BLUE.
Secondary Colors
The secondary colors include:
ORANGE, GREEN, and VIOLET.
When mixing paints, a secondary color is created by mixing two primary colors together, for example:
| ORANGE | = | RED | + | YELLOW |
| GREEN | = | BLUE | + | YELLOW |
| VIOLET | = | BLUE | + | RED |
Tertiary Colors
The traditional color wheel tertiary colors include:
YELLOW-GREEN, BLUE-GREEN, and YELLOW-ORANGE.
When mixing pigments or paints (subtractive color method), a tertiary color is created by mixing two secondary colors together, for example:
| YELLOW-GREEN | = | YELLOW | + | GREEN |
| BLUE-GREEN | = | BLUE | + | GREEN |
| YELLOW-ORANGE | = | YELLOW | + | ORANGE |
Systems
Color is produced in many ways, such as painting with pigments, digital images displayed on your computer monitor or phone, or printed photographs.
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| Primary Colors & their Color Systems |
Sometimes called 'Color Models,' they are based on the physical process of mixing hues. This includes a 'subtractive color model' and an 'additive color model,' each specific to its medium or media. See below for links.
Additive Color System
Computer monitors and televisions use the 'Additive Method' to make or mix colors. This physical process occurs when colored lights are combined or 'added.' Mixing all primary-colored lights, or 'adding' them together, produces white light.
- Additive Color Method - An overview of the additive system, the primary colors in this system are Red, Green, and Blue (RGB).
- Navigating RBG - Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) are added in various ways to produce a broad array of colors, each color is described by the strength of the Red, Green, or Blue components.
Subtractive Color System
Pigments, and dyes are made from natural materials and they use the 'Subtractive Method' to create new colors, which includ include:
- CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow)
- Pantone Matching System
- Paints or Pigments
- Ancient Pigments - Greek and Roman statues appear white today, but many of these sculptures have confirmed traces of pigments.
Theory
It is a set of guidelines that uses color wheel relationships to create harmony, communicate ideas, or invoke an emotional response in the viewer.
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| Color Wheel Relationships that create Harmonous Color Schemes |
See below for links.
- Introduction to Color Theory - Color Theory is a set of guidelines that uses the element of color to create harmony, communicate ideas, or invoke an emotional response in the viewer.
- Psychogology of Color - Colors can stimulate, excite, depress, tranquilize, increase appetite, and create a feeling of warmth or coolness.
Complementary Colors
Complementary colors are the colors directly opposite each other on the traditional color wheel.
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| Red & Green Complement Relationship |
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| Purple and Yellow Complement Relationship |
Complementary color schemes are incredibly eye-catching and vibrant.
Split Complementary Colors
Split Complementary color, similar to Complementary colors but, have an additional split complement added to the color scheme.
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| Orange & Green Split Complement Relationship |
Split Complementary color schemes are also eye-catching like Complementary color schemes but, are more varied and less vibrant.
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| Color Compliments including a third Split Complement Color Relationship |
Triad Color Scheme
Triads are any three colors that have a specific relationship on the traditional color wheel, with three colors between each.
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| Color Triad Relationship |
Primary colors create a "triad" harmonious color scheme.
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| Primary Color Relationships |
Secondary colors create a "triad" harmonious color scheme.
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| Secondary Color Relationship |
Tertiary colors also create a "triad" harmonious color scheme. This color combination creates a colorful yet balanced color scheme.
Tetrads Color Scheme
Also known as a "square" color combination, are any four colors on the wheel with a specific relationship that, when connected by lines, form an "X" shape.
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| Tetrads |
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| Tetrads |
This color scheme makes a colorful yet balanced scheme like triads, but is more complex.
Monochromatic Color Scheme
A monochromatic color scheme uses only one Hue or color but needs a variety of lightness and darkness to convey shape to the viewer.
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| Monochromatic Color Scheme Example |
These color schemes naturally create relaxation, since they are soothing, elegant, and easy on our eyes.
Analogous Color Scheme
Analogous colors are positioned next to each other on the color wheel. This scheme is often found in nature because light reflects from one object to another. For example, an apple may appear red, but it may reveal Orange and yellow hues on closer inspection, depending on the lighting conditions.
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| Analogous Color Scheme Example |
Analogous color schemes convey a feeling of calm or are soothing, but they are more dramatic than a monochromatic scheme because they have slightly more variety.
Neutral Color Scheme
Neutral colors are diminished or "neutralized" by adding gray, black, earth tones, or by mixing their own color complement.
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| Neutral or Dull Color Scheme Example |
Most of the colors found in nature or in plants are neutral, so these color schemes make us feel we are in nature or are calming.
Clash of Polychrome
Color on either side of its complement, or a mixture of many contrasting colors, will make a polychrome or color clash.
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| Clashing Colors |
If you don't want to create color harmony, clashing colors will work.
Resources
See below for external links.
Articles Online
Includes the following.
Pigments
- Pigments Through the Ages - From prehistoric times, humans have left an imprint on their environment through painted images, beautifying their world, and expressing their thoughts and feelings.
- Artist Pigments and Dyes - Explore the naming conventions of pigments in all artist materials at Artist Pigments.org with an Art material and pigment database and color tools for designers.
Books
Includes the following.
- Color and Light - A Guide for the Realist Painter, by James Gurney, 2010
- Exploring Color Workshop - With New Exercises, Lessons and Demonstrations by Nita Leland, 2016.
Tools
Includes the following.
- Color Schemer Online - Find possible color schemes from a selected color.
- Color Smart - Interactive Tool by Behr to find the perfect color.
- More Crayons - Work with an interactive color cube.
Videos
Includes the following.
- Navigating Color Space (NCS) - A fabulous video created by Gamblin on how color space works with oil paints through the ages.
