Color Theory

What is Color?What is Color?

ColorColor is the visual perception by the is the visual perception by the human eye of the light spectrum.human eye of the light spectrum.

Because perception of color stems from the varying Because perception of color stems from the varying sensitivity of different types of cone cells in the retina sensitivity of different types of cone cells in the retina

to different parts of the spectrum, colors may be to different parts of the spectrum, colors may be defined and quantified by the degree to which they defined and quantified by the degree to which they

stimulate these cells.stimulate these cells.

After light enters the After light enters the retinaretina, color processing , color processing after that point is organized differently. after that point is organized differently. Scientists think that color information is Scientists think that color information is transmitted out of the eye by three channels, transmitted out of the eye by three channels, each constructed from the output of the each constructed from the output of the conescones: : a a redred--greengreen channel, a channel, a blueblue--yellowyellow channel channel and a and a blackblack--whitewhite channel. This theory has channel. This theory has been supported by various tests, and accounts been supported by various tests, and accounts for the human brain predicting the color wheel!for the human brain predicting the color wheel!

If one or more types of a person's color-If one or more types of a person's color-sensing cones are missing or less responsive sensing cones are missing or less responsive than normal to incoming light, that person can than normal to incoming light, that person can distinguish fewer colors and is said to be distinguish fewer colors and is said to be color deficientcolor deficient or or color blindcolor blind. . Some kinds of Some kinds of color deficiency are caused by anomalies in color deficiency are caused by anomalies in the number or nature of cones in the retina. the number or nature of cones in the retina. Others have anomalies in those parts of the Others have anomalies in those parts of the brain where visual processing takes place.brain where visual processing takes place.

Where does color come from?Where does color come from?

Color comes from natural or artificial light and can Color comes from natural or artificial light and can change depending on many factors. Where there change depending on many factors. Where there is little light, there is little color. With bright light, is little light, there is little color. With bright light, colors are more intense!colors are more intense!

When a ray of white light passes through a prism, When a ray of white light passes through a prism, it breaks into individual bands of color called the it breaks into individual bands of color called the color spectrumcolor spectrum..

This picture of the This picture of the electromagnetic spectrum electromagnetic spectrum shows several shows several wavelengthwavelength regions, for example X rays, regions, for example X rays, visible light, and microwaves. visible light, and microwaves. The light that our eyes are The light that our eyes are sensitive to lie in a very small sensitive to lie in a very small region of the electromagnetic region of the electromagnetic spectrum labeled spectrum labeled visible lightvisible light corresponding to a wavelength corresponding to a wavelength range of 400 - 700 nanometers range of 400 - 700 nanometers and a color range of and a color range of violetviolet through through redred. So if someone . So if someone says that a photon is "redder" says that a photon is "redder" than another, they mean it has than another, they mean it has a longer wavelength. Similarly, a longer wavelength. Similarly, a "bluer" photon would have a a "bluer" photon would have a shorter wavelength. shorter wavelength.

How do artists use color?How do artists use color?

Artists use Artists use pigmentspigments, which are colored powdered , which are colored powdered substances that are natural or chemically based. substances that are natural or chemically based. Pigments are combined with other substances to Pigments are combined with other substances to make the various paints, crayons, inks and pencils make the various paints, crayons, inks and pencils we use in our everyday lives!we use in our everyday lives!

Not all objects have colors that are in the Not all objects have colors that are in the spectrum. Stars in the night sky appear white. spectrum. Stars in the night sky appear white. Smoke may be gray. Ink is often black. Smoke may be gray. Ink is often black. Because we do not see any one color in them, Because we do not see any one color in them, white, gray and black are calledwhite, gray and black are called neutralsneutrals..

White White = = The sum of all colorsThe sum of all colors Gray Gray = = Part of all the wavelengthsPart of all the wavelengths Black Black = = The total absence of reflected lightThe total absence of reflected light

The BasicsThe Basics Primary Colors- Primary Colors- RedRed, , YellowYellow, , BlueBlue Secondary Colors- Secondary Colors- OrangeOrange, , GreenGreen, , VioletViolet Hue- The name of a color itself.Hue- The name of a color itself.

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Color MixingColor Mixing

TintTint = A color + = A color + whitewhite ShadeShade = A color + = A color + blackblack ToneTone = A color + = A color + graygray

color symbolismcolor symbolism Successful design requires an awareness of how and Successful design requires an awareness of how and

why colors communicate meaning. The source of these why colors communicate meaning. The source of these meanings can be quite conspicuous, such as those meanings can be quite conspicuous, such as those found in nature — found in nature — redred is the color of is the color of blazing fireblazing fire and and bloodblood, , blueblue the color of the color of cooling waterscooling waters and the and the skysky. . Other meanings may be more complex and not Other meanings may be more complex and not universal.universal.

Green’sGreen’s associations with nature communicate growth, associations with nature communicate growth, fruitfulness, freshness and ecology. On the other hand, fruitfulness, freshness and ecology. On the other hand, green may also be symbolic of good luck, seasickness, green may also be symbolic of good luck, seasickness, money and greed — all of which have nothing to do money and greed — all of which have nothing to do

with green plants.with green plants.

Furthermore, color may have both positive and Furthermore, color may have both positive and negative symbolism. For example, although negative symbolism. For example, although blueblue is the beautiful color of the sky on a sunny is the beautiful color of the sky on a sunny day, it can be symbolic of day, it can be symbolic of sadnesssadness or stability. or stability. These traits are seen in phrases such as These traits are seen in phrases such as “singing the blues” and “blue chip stocks.” “singing the blues” and “blue chip stocks.”

RedRed is another example of dual symbolism. On is another example of dual symbolism. On one hand, as the color of fire and blood, it is an one hand, as the color of fire and blood, it is an energizing, aggressive and bold color. In direct energizing, aggressive and bold color. In direct contrast, red is used for “contrast, red is used for “STOPSTOP” signs ” signs throughout the world today. throughout the world today.

Sources for symbolismSources for symbolism

Cultural associationsCultural associations:: the color of currency, the color of currency, traditions, celebrations and geography.traditions, celebrations and geography.

Political and historical associations:Political and historical associations: the color of the color of flags, political parties and royalty.flags, political parties and royalty.

Religious and mythical associations:Religious and mythical associations: the colors the colors associated with spiritual or magical beliefs.associated with spiritual or magical beliefs.

Linguistic associations:Linguistic associations: color terminology within color terminology within individual languages.individual languages.

Contemporary usage and fads:Contemporary usage and fads: current color current color applications to objects, sports, and associations applications to objects, sports, and associations generated by modern conventions and trends.generated by modern conventions and trends.

Color & emotionColor & emotion

RedRed is the first primary color of the is the first primary color of the spectrum. It emotionally triggers the spectrum. It emotionally triggers the sense of power, impulsively and sense of power, impulsively and increases one's appetite. Be careful increases one's appetite. Be careful how you use red! It can also shout how you use red! It can also shout anger, forcefulness, impatience, anger, forcefulness, impatience, intimidation, conquest, and violence.intimidation, conquest, and violence.

OrangeOrange is a secondary color is a secondary color comprised of the primary colors, yellow comprised of the primary colors, yellow and red. It emotionally triggers and red. It emotionally triggers steadfastness, courage, confidence, steadfastness, courage, confidence, friendliness, and cheerfulness. Its friendliness, and cheerfulness. Its opposite effects are ignorance, opposite effects are ignorance, inferiority, sluggishness and superiority. inferiority, sluggishness and superiority. Orange is generally considered a social Orange is generally considered a social color but used in the wrong manner color but used in the wrong manner and with the wrong color combinations and with the wrong color combinations could create the opposite effects listed.could create the opposite effects listed.

YellowYellow is one of the three primary colors. is one of the three primary colors. Visually it is the most difficult for your eyes Visually it is the most difficult for your eyes to focus on. It is actually brighter than white to focus on. It is actually brighter than white and stronger in its emotional impact. It also and stronger in its emotional impact. It also has a stimulating impact on your memory! has a stimulating impact on your memory! (Yellow notepads and Post-It Notes?) It (Yellow notepads and Post-It Notes?) It triggers intelligence, joy, and organization. triggers intelligence, joy, and organization. Its opposite effects when used in the Its opposite effects when used in the wrong manner or with the wrong wrong manner or with the wrong combination of other colors can create combination of other colors can create feelings of criticism, laziness, or cynicism.feelings of criticism, laziness, or cynicism.

GreenGreen is the combination of two primary is the combination of two primary colors, yellow and blue. It includes all the colors, yellow and blue. It includes all the qualities of yellow and blue and the qualities of yellow and blue and the emotions it triggers depends on which of emotions it triggers depends on which of the two primary colors is dominate. the two primary colors is dominate. Green triggers the following positive Green triggers the following positive emotions: hope, growth, good health, emotions: hope, growth, good health, freshness, soothing, sharing, and freshness, soothing, sharing, and responsiveness. Its negative attributes responsiveness. Its negative attributes are envy, greed, constriction, guilt, are envy, greed, constriction, guilt, jealousy and disorder.jealousy and disorder.

BlueBlue is a primary color. It is the is a primary color. It is the easiest color for the eyes to easiest color for the eyes to focus. It generates feelings of focus. It generates feelings of tranquility, love, acceptance, tranquility, love, acceptance, patience, understanding and patience, understanding and cooperation. Its negative cooperation. Its negative qualities if used inappropriately qualities if used inappropriately are fear, coldness, passivity and are fear, coldness, passivity and depression. Blue is a favorite depression. Blue is a favorite color choice among all age color choice among all age groups.groups.

VioletViolet is a secondary color that is a secondary color that signifies deep passion, wealth and signifies deep passion, wealth and nobility. It suggests sophistication, nobility. It suggests sophistication, intelligence, dignity and spirituality. intelligence, dignity and spirituality. This luxurious color also symbolizes This luxurious color also symbolizes power and stability. Violet is power and stability. Violet is associated with wisdom, dignity, associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, ambition independence, creativity, ambition and mystery. and mystery.

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Van goghVan gogh

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O’keeffeO’keeffe

Who created color?Who created color?

I wonder…I wonder…