Post on 02-Jan-2016
What you need to know about colors.
Color Theory
What do I do, Ms. Oves??
• Take BRIEF notes in your sketchbooks of the most important terms/definitions.
• After we are done, there will be a worksheet on which to demonstrate 8 color schemes and write their definitions.
• Some of the terms in the presentation are NOT on the worksheet, but you still need to recognize and know them (shade, tint, value scale/gradient).
Primary Colors
• Red• Blue• Yellow• When mixed together in
different combinations and proportions, these three colors make all colors.
By Piet Mondrian
Secondary Colors• Orange• Green• Violet• Secondary colors are made by mixing
two primary colors:• Red + Yellow = Orange• Yellow + Blue = Green• Blue + Red = Violet
Tertiary Colors• Blue-Green• Blue-Violet• Red-Violet• Red-Orange• Yellow-Orange• Yellow-Green• Tertiary colors are formed by mixing a Primary
color with a Secondary color.• When naming Tertiary colors, always say the
Primary color first.
Tertiary Colors in Contemporary Art
Cy Twombly, The Rose (II), 2008, acrylic on plywood, 252 x 740 cm. Photo: Mike Bruce. ゥ Cy Twombly. Courtesy Gagosian Gallery
Warm and Cool ColorsCool colors
___________________________________________Cool colors give an impression of calm, and
create a soothing effect
Warm Colors ____________________________________
warm colors are vivid and energetic and tend to advance in space
White, black, and gray are considered neutrals.
Neutral Value Scale
What is a shade:___________________________
A color is made darker by adding black
What is a tint:_______________________
A color is made lighter by adding white.
Simple example of tints (top) and shades (bottom)
Complimentary colors________________________
Colors that are across from each other on the color wheel.
Complementary Colors, cont.________________________
The high contrast of these colors create a vibrant look.
Split Complementary
1 color and the 2 colors next to its complement.
Analogous Colors ________________________
These are colors next to one another on the color wheel, usually in combinations
of three.
Analogous Colors, cont.___________________________________________
Often found in nature, these colors are harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
MonochromaticThe use of one color in various shades, in addition to neutrals.
From Sunflowers series, Vincent van Gogh, 1887-89