Basic Color Theory

Color theory encompasses a multitude of definitions, concepts and design applications - enough to fill several
encyclopedias. However, there are three basic categories of color theory that are logical and useful : The color
wheel, color harmony, and the context of how colors are used.

Color theories create a logical structure for color. For example, if we have an assortment of fruits and
vegetables, we can organize them by color and place them on a circle that shows the colors in relation to each
other.

The Color Wheel

A color circle, based on red, yellow and blue, is traditional in the field of art. Sir Isaac Newton developed the
first circular diagram of colors in 1666. Since then, scientists and artists have studied and designed numerous
variations of this concept. Differences of opinion about the validity of one format over another continue to
provoke debate. In reality, any color circle or color wheel which presents a logically arranged sequence of pure
hues has merit. 

There are also definitions (or categories) of colors based on the color wheel. We begin with a 3-part color
wheel.

Primary Colors: Red, yellow and blue

In traditional color theory (used in paint and pigments), primary colors are the 3 pigment colors that cannot be
mixed or formed by any combination of other colors. All other colors are derived from these 3 hues. 

Secondary Colors: Green, orange and purple

These are the colors formed by mixing the primary colors.

Tertiary Colors: Yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green & yellow-green

These are the colors formed by mixing a primary and a secondary color. That's why the hue is a two word
name, such as blue-green, red-violet, and yellow-orange.

Warm and cool colors

The color circle can be divided into warm and cool colors.
Warm colors are vivid and energetic, and tend to advance in space.
Cool colors 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 color concepts. If a color 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:

Color Identification System

Color Symbolism Chart

Red: Excitement, energy, passion, love, desire, speed, strength, Pink symbolizes love and romance, caring, tenderness,
 
power, heat, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence, all acceptance and calm.
 
things intense and passionate, sincerity, happiness (Only in
Beige and ivory symbolize unification. Ivory symbolizes quiet
Japan)  
and pleasantness. Beige symbolizes calm and simplicity.
 Yellow signifies joy, happiness, betrayal, optimism, idealism, Orange: Energy, balance, enthusiasm, warmth, vibrant,
 
imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, expansive, flamboyant, demanding of attention.
 
dishonesty, cowardice, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness,
Green: Nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal,
hazard and friendship.
 
youth, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, service,

Dark Blue: Symbolizes integrity, knowledge, power, and inexperience, envy, misfortune, vigor.
 
seriousness.
Brown: Earth, stability, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability,
 
Blue: Peace, tranquility, cold, calm, stability, harmony, unity, comfort, endurance, simplicity, and comfort.

trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness,

 
Gray: Security, reliability, intelligence, staid, modesty, dignity,
order, loyalty, sky, water, technology, depression, appetite
 
maturity, solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring.
suppressant.
Silver symbolizes calm.

Turquoise symbolizes calm. Teal symbolizes sophistication.

  White: Reverence, purity, birth, simplicity, cleanliness, peace,
Aquamarine symbolizes water. Lighter turquoise has a feminine
humility, precision, innocence, youth, winter, snow, good,
appeal.    
sterility, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures),

Purple: Royalty, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, cold, clinical.

 
transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, honor,
Black: Power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance,
arrogance, mourning, temperance.
wealth, mystery, fear, evil, unhappiness, depth, style, sadness,
 
 
Lavender symbolizes femininity, grace and elegance. remorse, anger, anonymity, underground, good technical color,

mourning, death (Western cultures), austerity, detachment.

Color Harmonies
- basic techniques for creating color schemes
Below are shown the basic color chords based on the color wheel.

Complementary color scheme

Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel are
considered to be complementary colors (example: red and green).

The high contrast of complementary colors creates a vibrant look

especially when used at full saturation. This color scheme must be
managed well so it is not jarring.

Complementary color schemes are tricky to use in large doses, but

work well when you want something to stand out.

Complementary colors are really bad for text.

Analogous color scheme
Analogous color schemes use colors that are next to each other on
the color wheel. They usually match well and create serene and
comfortable designs.

Analogous color schemes are often found in nature and are

harmonious and pleasing to the eye.

Make sure you have enough contrast when choosing an analogous

color scheme.

Choose one color to dominate, a second to support. The third color is used (along with black, white or
gray) as an accent.

Triadic color scheme

A triadic color scheme uses colors that are evenly spaced around the
color wheel.

Triadic color schemes tend to be quite vibrant, even if you use pale
or unsaturated versions of your hues.

To use a triadic harmony successfully, the colors should be carefully

balanced - let one color dominate and use the two others for accent.

Split-Complementary color scheme

The split-complementary color scheme is a variation of the
complementary color scheme. In addition to the base color, it uses
the two colors adjacent to its complement.

This color scheme has the same strong visual contrast as the
complementary color scheme, but has less tension.

The split-complimentary color scheme is often a good choice for

beginners, because it is difficult to mess up.

Rectangle (tetradic) color scheme

The rectangle or tetradic color scheme uses four colors arranged into
two complementary pairs.

This rich color scheme offers plenty of possibilities for variation.

Tetradic color schemes works best if you let one color be dominant.

You should also pay attention to the balance between warm and cool
colors in your design.
Square color scheme
The square color scheme is similar to the rectangle, but with all four
colors spaced evenly around the color circle.

Square color schemes works best if you let one color be dominant.

You should also pay attention to the balance between warm and cool
colors in your design.