Part I: Color Foundations

The Basic Principles

of COLOUR theory

Colour Systems

Available colour systems are dependent on the medium with which a designer is working. When painting, an artist has a variety of paints to choose from, and mixed colours are achieved through the subtractive colour method.

When a designer is utilizing the computer to generate digital media, colours are achieved with the additive colour method.

The basic Principles of COLOUR theory

Subtractive Colour.

When we mix colours using paint, or through the printing process, we are using the subtractive colour method. Subtractive colour mixing means that one begins with white and ends with black; as one adds colour, the result gets darker and tends to black.

The basic Principles of COLOUR theory

The CMYK colour system is thecolour system used for printing.

A subtractive color model explains the mixing of paints, dyes, inks, and natural colorants to create a full range of colors

Additive Colour.

If we are working on a computer, the colours we see on the screen are created with light using the additive colour method. Additive colour mixing begins with black and ends with white; as more colour is added, the result is lighter and tends to white.

The basic Principles of COLOUR theory

The RGB colours are light primaries and colours are created with light.

Percentages of red, green, & blue light are usedto generate colour on a computer screen.

Additive color describes the situation where color is created by mixing the visible light emitted from differently colored light sources. This is in contrast to subtractive colors where light is removed from various part of thevisible spectrum to create colors.

The 12 Colour Wheel

The basic Principles of COLOUR theory

Figuring out which colors work well with others isn't just a matter of chance. There is actually a science behind which colors work well together. Different color combinations fit into different categories, and can be broken down easily. Let’s start with the absolute basics and move on to more advanced color combinations. A colour wheel (also referred to as a colour circle) is a visual representation of colours arranged according to their chromatic relationship.

Primary Colours

The basic Principles of COLOUR theory

Colours at their basic essence; those colours that cannot be created by mixing others.

Our color wheel starts with the 3 primary colors.-Red-Blue-Yellow

Those colours achieved by a mixture of two primaries.

When any one primary colour is mixed with another a secondary colour effect is produced. 3 secondary colours are produced from the mixing of one primary colour with another.

Secondary Colours

The secondary colours are:orange (mix red + yellow) green (mix yellow + blue) violet (mix blue + red)

The basic Principles of COLOUR theory

Those colors achieved by a mixture of primary and secondary hues.

These colours are created when mixing one secondary and one primary colour.in our colour wheel each tertiary colour being created will be an equal combination of the two colours, left and right, surrounding an open segment. The tertiary colours are: yellow-orange, red-orange, red-violet, blue violet, blue-green, and yellow-green.

Tertiary Colours

The basic Principles of COLOUR theory

Complementary colors are colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. Examples would be blue and orange, red and green, Yellow and purple, etc. Complementary color schemes create a high amount of contrast, but can create a lot of visual vibration when they are used at full saturation.

Complementary Colours

The basic Principles of COLOUR theory

Those colours located opposite each other on a colour wheel.

Complementary Colours

The basic Principles of COLOUR theory

Analogous colors are colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. It is a good idea to choose a set of analogous colors that create a sense of variety. A good example would be blue-green, blue, and blue-violet or yellow-green, yellow, and yellow-orange.Those colours located close together on a colour wheel.

Analogous Colours

The basic Principles of COLOUR theory

Next Week Classes

The Colour Wheel

The basic Principles of COLOUR theory

Student need to bring :

Poster Color

Drawing Brush

Geometry Set

A3 Size Drawing Block

30cm Long Ruler Plastic Cup

• Old Fabric/cloth• Old newspaper

Assignment 1.1:

The Colour Wheel

The basic Principles of COLOUR theory

Begin a colour wheel by positioning primary hues equidistant from one another, then create a bridge between primaries using secondary and tertiary colours.

The basic Principles of COLOUR theory

The basic Principles of COLOUR theory

Design your own creative colour wheel

The basic Principles of COLOUR theory

Design your own creative colour wheel

QUESTION?