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Semester 1 Basic Colour Schemes - Introduction To Colour Theory

This document provides an introduction to basic color theory, including the color wheel, primary/secondary/tertiary colors, warm and cool colors, and tints/shades/tones. It explains that the color wheel shows color combinations that look good together and discusses color harmonies. Additionally, it notes that color can be used to set moods and that different colors have mental and physical effects.

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Dishant Pradhan
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228 views

Semester 1 Basic Colour Schemes - Introduction To Colour Theory

This document provides an introduction to basic color theory, including the color wheel, primary/secondary/tertiary colors, warm and cool colors, and tints/shades/tones. It explains that the color wheel shows color combinations that look good together and discusses color harmonies. Additionally, it notes that color can be used to set moods and that different colors have mental and physical effects.

Uploaded by

Dishant Pradhan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Semester 1

Basic colour schemes - Introduction to Colour Theory

With colours you can set a mood, attract attention, or make a statement. You can use colour
to energize, or to cool down. By selecting the right colour scheme, you can create an
ambience of elegance, warmth or tranquillity/calmness, or you can convey an image of
playful youthfulness. Colour can be your most powerful design element if you learn to use it
effectively.

Colours affect us in numerous ways, both mentally and physically. A strong red color has
been shown to raise the blood pressure, while a blue color has a calming effect.

Being able to use colors consciously and harmoniously can help you create spectacular
results.

The Colour Wheel

The colour wheel or colour circle is the basic tool for combining colours. The first circular
colour diagram was designed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666.

The colour wheel is designed so that virtually any colours you pick from it will look good
together. Over the years, many variations of the basic design have been made, but the most
common version is a wheel of 12 colours based on the RYB (or artistic) colour model.
Traditionally, there are a number of colour combinations that are considered especially
pleasing. These are called colour harmonies or colour chords and they consist of two or
more colours with a fixed relation in the colour wheel.

ColourImpact is designed to dynamically create a colour wheel to match your base colour.

Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Colors


In the RYB colour model, the primary colours are red, yellow and blue.

The three secondary colours (green, orange and purple) are created by mixing two primary
colours.

Another six tertiary colours are created by mixing primary and secondary colours.

The above illustration shows the colour circle with the primary, secondary and tertiary
colours. Click on the labels to turn the colours on / off.

Warm and cool colours


The colour circle can be divided into warm and cool colours.

Warm colours are vivid and energetic, and tend to advance in


space.

Cool colours give an impression of calm, and create a soothing


impression.

White, black and gray are considered to be neutral.

Tints, Shades, and Tones


These terms are often used incorrectly, although they describe fairly simple colour concepts.
If a colour is made lighter by adding white, the result is called a tint. If black is added, the
darker version is called a shade. And if gray is added, the result is a different tone.

Tints - adding white to a pure hue:

Shades - adding black to a pure hue:


Tones - adding gray to a pure hue:

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