What is color?

* it is important for it is important for us to first be able us to first be able to to understandunderstand color color so that we can so that we can begin to master begin to master the element of the element of design…design…

Color is an element of design

How is color perceived?

1. Color occurs when light in different wavelengths strikes our eyes.

2. Objects have no color of their own, only the ability to reflect a certain wavelength of light back to our eyes.

3. Colors appear different depending on whether you view them under incandescent, florescent or natural sunlight.

Incandescent light

Fluorescent light

Natural light

What is hue?

* Hue refers to the color itself.

* Each different hue is a different reflected wavelength of light.

* White light broken in a prism has seven hues: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

* White light occurs when all the wavelengths are reflected back to your eye.

* Black light occurs when no light is reflected to your eye.

Primary colorsPrimary colorsPrimary colorsPrimary colors

* The three basic colors that are used to create all of the other colors are known as the primary colors.

* You cannot achieve these colors by mixing any other colors together, but can make all other colors from these three!

* These colors include:º Redº Blueº Yellow

Secondary colorsSecondary colorsSecondary colorsSecondary colors

* The three colors that are achieved from equal parts of two primary colors make up what we call the secondary colors.

* These colors include:º Violetº Greenº Orange

Tertiary colorsTertiary colorsTertiary colorsTertiary colors

* When you mix equal parts of one primary and one secondary color you achieve the tertiary colors.* These colors include:

º Red-violet º Blue-violet º Blue-greenº Yellow-green º Yellow-orange º Red-orange

* The colors used in the color wheel are called saturated colors because there is no white or black in them.

* All of these elements; primary, secondary, and tertiary make up what we call the color wheel.

Tints & Shades

* A tint is a saturated color that is mixed with pure white color.º The more white that you add to a saturated

color, the lighter the color will become.

* A shade is a saturated color that is mixed with pure black color.º The more black that you add to a saturated

color the darker the color will become.

Warm & Cool ColorsWarm & Cool Colors

Warm Colors:Warm Colors:

Red, Orange, & Red, Orange, & YellowYellow

Warm Colors:Warm Colors:

Red, Orange, & Red, Orange, & YellowYellow

Cool Colors:Cool Colors:

Blue, Green, & Blue, Green, & VioletViolet

Cool Colors:Cool Colors:

Blue, Green, & Blue, Green, & VioletViolet

Neutral ColorsNeutral Colors

* Black, Grey, White, Brown, & Tan* Black, Grey, White, Brown, & Tan

Color HarmoniesColor Harmonies

* Monochromatic* Analogous* Complementary* Triadic* Split

Complementary* Neutral

* Monochromatic* Analogous* Complementary* Triadic* Split

Complementary* Neutral

Monochromatic Color Harmony

Monochromatic Color Harmony

* They are achieved by using tints and shades of only one color

* Examples:* Navy Blue, Bright Blue, and Baby Blue* Cranberry, Brick Red, Red* Dark Green, Kelly Green, Light Green

Analogous Color HarmonyAnalogous Color Harmony

* Are done by using three or more colors Are done by using three or more colors that are next to each other on the color that are next to each other on the color wheelwheel

* Examples:Examples:* Red, Red-Violet, VioletRed, Red-Violet, Violet* Blue, Blue-Green, GreenBlue, Blue-Green, Green* Yellow, Yellow-Orange, Orange, Red-Yellow, Yellow-Orange, Orange, Red-

OrangeOrange

Complementary Color Harmony

Complementary Color Harmony

* Two colors that are directly across Two colors that are directly across from each other on the color wheelfrom each other on the color wheel

* Examples:Examples:* Yellow & VioletYellow & Violet* Green & RedGreen & Red* Blue & OrangeBlue & Orange

* Two colors that are directly across Two colors that are directly across from each other on the color wheelfrom each other on the color wheel

* Examples:Examples:* Yellow & VioletYellow & Violet* Green & RedGreen & Red* Blue & OrangeBlue & Orange

Triadic Color HarmonyTriadic Color Harmony

* Three colors that are located within equal distance of each other

* Examples:* Red, Blue, Yellow* Orange, Violet, Green

* Three colors that are located within equal distance of each other

* Examples:* Red, Blue, Yellow* Orange, Violet, Green

Split Complementary Harmony

Split Complementary Harmony

* This is created by using any color and the two colors located next to that colors complement

* Examples:* Yellow, Red-Violet, Blue-Violet* Orange, Blue-Green, Blue-Violet* Red, Yellow-Green, Blue-Green

* This is created by using any color and the two colors located next to that colors complement

* Examples:* Yellow, Red-Violet, Blue-Violet* Orange, Blue-Green, Blue-Violet* Red, Yellow-Green, Blue-Green

Neutral Color Harmony

Neutral Color Harmony

• Any combination of Blacks, Greys, Whites, Browns, & Tans

• Any combination of Blacks, Greys, Whites, Browns, & Tans

Homework

* Create a study stack account* Add the key terms from today’s

lesson to your Study Stacks. º Please see my eboard for a list of

terms.