AESTHETIC EDUCATION9TH GRADE: Q2P3COLOR HARMONY

REMEMBER

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:

THREE PROPERTIES OF COLOR

HUE

The main property of the color. These are the family of twelve purest and brightest colors.

When we speak about color, there are three basic properties, or traits, that we can refer to. One is the name of the color as it is labeled on the color wheel. This property of color is referred to as hue.

VALUE

Value is the lightness or darkness of the color. The lightest value of the color is almost white and the darkest value is almost black.

There are two types of value: Tint and Shade

INTENSITY

Intensity is the saturation or purity of the color, its brightness or dullness. In other words it’s the force of the color, full force might be a bright red color.

High intensity

Theoretically, the highest intensity that a color can be is its hue as shown on the color wheel.

Low intensity

The dullest a color can be is gray.

COLOR SCHEMESColor combinations may pass unnoticed when pleasing, yet offend dramatically when compositions seem to clash. One outcome we seek in the final form or composition, is a successful use of color.

We determine whether or not we are successful by critically assessing the visual balance and harmony of the final composition—balance and harmony are achieved by the visual contrast that exists between color combinations. Planning a successful color combination begins with the investigation, and understanding, of color relationships.

There are many theories for harmony. The following illustrations and descriptions present some basic formulas.

MONOCHROMATIC COLOR SCHEMES.

A Monochromatic Color Scheme is created by taking any one of the twelve Hues from the Basic Color Wheel and repeating it in various Tints, Shades and Tones.

Monochromatic color schemes are made up of different tones, shades and tints within a specific hue. These are the simplest color schemes to

create, as they’re all taken from the same hue, making it harder to create a jarring or ugly scheme

Monochromatic Relationship Colors that are shade or tint variations of the same hue.

COMPLEMENTARY COLORS SCHEMES.

Complementary Colors are any two Hues positioned exactly opposite each other on the Basic Color Wheel.

Complementary schemes are created by combining colors from opposite sides of the color wheel. In their most basic form, these schemes consist of only two colors, but can easily be expanded using tones, tints, and shades. A word of warning, though: using colors that are exact opposites with the same hue and/or value right next to each other can be very jarring visually (they’ll appear to actually vibrate along their border in the most severe uses). This is best avoided (either by leaving white space between them or by adding another, transitional color between them).

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.

Complementary colors most commonly used:

YELLOW - PURPLE

RED - GREEN

BLUE - ORANGE

SPLIT COMPLEMENTARY COLOR SCHEME

A Split Complementary Color Scheme is made up of three hues. First you choose your main starting color and select the two colors on either side of its Complementary color.

You can see that no matter where you start, there will always be at least one Tertiary color in your selection. Tertiary colors are blends and will

make your resulting palette quite sophisticated with an infinite number of subtle mixtures.

This color scheme is extremely popular with artists and designers. 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.

TRIAD COLORS SCHEMES

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

Triadic color harmonies 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.

RECTANGLE (TETRADIC) COLOR SCHEME OR DOUBLE-COMPLEMENTARY (TETRADIC)

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.

ANALOGOUS COLOR SCHEMES.

An Analogous Color Scheme features three or more Hues which are positioned next to each other on the Color Wheel.

Simply choose any color as your main Mother Color. Then select two or three colors on either side of it. They all share similarities at their root and will be fairly easy to harmonize.

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.