Color TheoryColor Theory

• • Color WheelColor Wheel

• • Color ValuesColor Values

• • Color SchemesColor Schemes

The color wheel fits The color wheel fits together like a together like a puzzle, each color in puzzle, each color in a specific place. a specific place. Being familiar with Being familiar with the the color wheel not only helps you mix colors when painting, but in adding color to all your art creations.

Color WheelColor Wheel

Primary ColorsPrimary Colors

Primary colors are not mixed from Primary colors are not mixed from other elements and they generate all other elements and they generate all other colors.other colors.

n RedRedn YellowYellown BlueBlue

Secondary ColorsSecondary Colors

By mixing two primary colors, a secondary color is created.

Red + Yellow = OrangeYellow + Blue = GreenBlue + Red = Purple

Intermediate, or Tertiary, colors are created by mixing a primary and a secondary.

•red-orange•yellow-orange•yellow-green

•blue-green•blue-purple•red-purple

Intermediate ColorsIntermediate Colors

The principles of color mixing let us describe The principles of color mixing let us describe a variety of colors, but there are still many a variety of colors, but there are still many colors to explore. The neutral colors colors to explore. The neutral colors contain equal parts of each of the three contain equal parts of each of the three primary colors. Black, white, gray and primary colors. Black, white, gray and sometimes brown are considered sometimes brown are considered "neutral”."neutral”.

Neutral ColorsNeutral Colors

Color values are the lights and darks Color values are the lights and darks of a color you create by using black of a color you create by using black and white (‘neutrals”) with a color. and white (‘neutrals”) with a color. This makes hundreds of more colors This makes hundreds of more colors from the basic 12 colors of the from the basic 12 colors of the wheel.wheel.

o white + color = tintwhite + color = tinto color + black = shadecolor + black = shade

Tints are lightened colors. Always Tints are lightened colors. Always begin with white and add a bit of begin with white and add a bit of color to the white until the desired color to the white until the desired tint is obtained. This is an example tint is obtained. This is an example of a value scale for the tints of a value scale for the tints of blue. of blue.

TintsTints

Shades are darkened colors. Always Shades are darkened colors. Always begin with the color and add just a begin with the color and add just a bit of black at a time to get the bit of black at a time to get the desired shade of a color. This is an desired shade of a color. This is an example of a value scale for the example of a value scale for the shades of blue.shades of blue.

ShadesShades

Color Schemes are a systematic way Color Schemes are a systematic way of using the color wheel to put colors of using the color wheel to put colors together… in all aspects of life, not together… in all aspects of life, not just art…..just art…..

monochromatic, complementary, analogous,

warm, cool.

““Mono” means “one”, “chroma” Mono” means “one”, “chroma” means “color”… monochromatic means “color”… monochromatic color schemes have only one color schemes have only one color and its values. A painting color and its values. A painting done in a monochromatic color done in a monochromatic color scheme. scheme.

MonochromaticMonochromatic

Monochromatic Color SchemeMonochromatic Color Scheme

Complementary colors are opposite on Complementary colors are opposite on the color wheel provided a high the color wheel provided a high contrastcontrast

ComplementaryComplementary

Complementary Color SchemeComplementary Color Scheme

Complementary Color SchemeComplementary Color Scheme

The analogous color scheme is 3-5 The analogous color scheme is 3-5 colors adjacent to each other on the colors adjacent to each other on the color wheel. This combination of color wheel. This combination of colors provides very little contrast.colors provides very little contrast.

AnalogousAnalogous

Warm colors are found on the right Warm colors are found on the right side of the color wheel. They are side of the color wheel. They are colors found in fire and the sun. colors found in fire and the sun. Warm colors make objects look Warm colors make objects look closer in a painting or drawing.closer in a painting or drawing.

WarmWarm

Cool colors are found on the left side Cool colors are found on the left side of the color wheel. They are the of the color wheel. They are the colors found in snow and ice and colors found in snow and ice and tend to recede in a composition.tend to recede in a composition.

CoolCool

Analogous Color Schemes WarmAnalogous Color Schemes Warm

Analogous Color Schemes CoolAnalogous Color Schemes Cool

Color on a Computer ScreenColor on a Computer Screen

n RGBRGBn Red Green BlueRed Green Bluen Made up of lightMade up of light

Color in PrintColor in Print

n CMYKCMYKn Cyan Magenta Yellow BlackCyan Magenta Yellow Blackn Used for Commercial PrintingUsed for Commercial Printing

For More Color Information…For More Color Information…

n www.worqx.comwww.worqx.comn www.pantone.comwww.pantone.com