Scribd
Upload
24 views

Basic Color Theory

Uploaded by

mdf561745
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
24 views

Basic Color Theory

Uploaded by

mdf561745
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 11

COLOR_THEORY

Atiqur Rahman
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.

1.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.
1. PRIMARY COLORS
2. SECONDARY COLORS
3. TERTIARY COLORS

Primary color: 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.
Color Harmony
Harmony can be defined as a pleasing arrangement of parts, whether it
be music, poetry, color, or even an ice cream sundae.

In visual experiences, harmony is something that is pleasing to the eye.


It engages the viewer and it creates an inner sense of order, a balance in
the visual experience. When something is not harmonious, it's either
boring or chaotic. At one extreme is a visual experience that is so bland
that the viewer is not engaged. The human brain will reject under-
stimulating information. At the other extreme is a visual experience that
is so overdone, so chaotic that the viewer can't stand to look at it. The
human brain rejects what it cannot organize, what it cannot understand.
The visual task requires that we present a logical structure. Color
harmony delivers visual interest and a sense of order.

In summary, extreme unity leads to under-stimulation, extreme


complexity leads to over-stimulation. Harmony is a dynamic
equilibrium.

Some Formulas for Color Harmony


There are many theories for harmony. The following illustrations and
descriptions present some basic formulas.
1.A color scheme based on analogous colors-

Analogous colors are any three colors which are side by side on a
12-part color wheel, such as yellow-
green, yellow, and yellow-orange.
Usually one of the three colors
predominates.

2.A color scheme based on complementary colors-

Complementary colors are any two colors which are directly


opposite each other, such as red and green and red-purple and
yellow-green. In the illustration above, there are several variations
of yellow-green in the leaves and
several variations of red-purple in the
orchid. These opposing colors create
maximum contrast and maximum stability.

3. A color scheme based on nature

Nature provides a perfect departure point for color harmony. In the


illustration above, red yellow and green create a harmonious design,
regardless of whether this combination fits into
a technical formula for color harmony.
Color Context

How color behaves in relation to other colors and shapes is a complex


area of color theory. Compare the contrast effects of different color
backgrounds for the same red square.

Red appears more brilliant against a black background and somewhat


duller against the white background. In contrast with orange, the red
appears lifeless; in contrast with blue-green, it exhibits brilliance. Notice
that the red square appears larger on black than on other background
colors.

Different readings of the


same color..

If your computer has sufficient color stability and gamma correction


(link to Is Your Computer Color Blind?) you will see that the small
purple rectangle on the left appears to have a red-purple tinge when
compared to the small purple rectangle on the right. They are both the
same color as seen in the illustration below. This demonstrates how
three colors can be perceived as four colors.Observing the effects colors
have on each other is the starting point for understanding the relativity of
color. The relationship of values, saturations and the warmth or coolness
of respective hues can cause noticeable differences in our perception of
color.

If your computer has sufficient color stability and gamma correction


(link to Is Your Computer Color Blind?) you will see that the small
purple rectangle on the left appears to have a red-purple tinge when
compared to the small purple rectangle on the right. They are both the
same color as seen in the illustration below. This demonstrates how
three colors can be perceived as four colors.Observing the effects colors
have on each other is the starting point for understanding the relativity of
color. The relationship of values, saturations and the warmth or coolness
of respective hues can cause noticeable differences in our perception of
color.

Illustrations and text, courtesy of


Color Logic and Color Logic for Web Site Design
Factoids:

Explore the world of color with these amazing "factoids" about color.
You'll find unusual snippets of information from the world of nature,
vision, psychology, business, and from all dimensions of our lives.

Color schemes,

Let’s talk schemes… (And not the kind that cartoon villains concoct.
Bwahaha!) We’re talking color schemes. Using the color wheel,
designers develop a color scheme for marketing materials.
THANK YOU FOR
READING….

You might also like