Color Theory Vocabulary

Properties of Color Hue – The quality by which we recognize one color from another; hue is the name of the color. Hue – The quality by which we recognize one color from another; hue is the name of the color. Value – The lightness or darkness of a color, as expressed by the amount of black or white mixed with a particular hue. Value – The lightness or darkness of a color, as expressed by the amount of black or white mixed with a particular hue. Intensity / Saturation – The brightness or dullness of a color, as expressed by the amount of the color’s complement mixed with the pure hue. Intensity / Saturation – The brightness or dullness of a color, as expressed by the amount of the color’s complement mixed with the pure hue.

Primary Colors Blue Blue Red Red Yellow Yellow

Secondary Colors Yellow + Blue = Yellow + Blue = Green Green Blue + Red = Blue + Red = Violet Violet Red + Yellow = Red + Yellow = Orange Orange

Intermediate Colors Yellow-Green Yellow-Green Blue-Green Blue-Green Blue-Violet Blue-Violet Red-Violet Red-Violet Red-Orange Red-Orange Yellow-Orange Yellow-Orange

Analogous Colors Yellow, Yellow-Green, and Green Yellow, Yellow-Green, and Green Green, Blue-Green, Blue and Blue-Violet Green, Blue-Green, Blue and Blue-Violet Blue, Blue-Violet, and Violet Blue, Blue-Violet, and Violet Blue-Violet, Violet, Red-Violet, and Red Blue-Violet, Violet, Red-Violet, and Red Red-Orange, Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow Red-Orange, Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow Colors that are adjacent (next to) each other on the color wheel, including various intensities of each color. Colors that are adjacent (next to) each other on the color wheel, including various intensities of each color. Examples include: Examples include:

Complementary Colors Yellow and Violet Yellow and Violet Blue and Orange Blue and Orange Red and Green Red and Green The two colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. The two colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel.

Neutral Grays Equal amounts of any two complementary colors mixed together creates a neutral grayish color. Equal amounts of any two complementary colors mixed together creates a neutral grayish color. To tone down the intensity of a color add a little bit of its compliment. To tone down the intensity of a color add a little bit of its compliment.

Triads Triads are colors that are equidistant from each other on the color wheel. They form a triangle. Triads are colors that are equidistant from each other on the color wheel. They form a triangle. Primary Colors form a triad Primary Colors form a triad Secondary Colors form a triad Secondary Colors form a triad

Warm Colors Yellow, Yellow-Green, and Green Yellow, Yellow-Green, and Green Green, Blue-Green, Blue and Blue-Violet Green, Blue-Green, Blue and Blue-Violet Blue, Blue-Violet, and Violet Blue, Blue-Violet, and Violet Blue-Violet, Violet, Red-Violet, and Red Blue-Violet, Violet, Red-Violet, and Red Red-Orange, Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow Red-Orange, Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow Colors that give the feeling of warmth. The color of fire and the sun. Colors that give the feeling of warmth. The color of fire and the sun.

Cool Colors Yellow, Yellow-Green, and Green Yellow, Yellow-Green, and Green Green, Blue-Green, Blue and Blue-Violet Green, Blue-Green, Blue and Blue-Violet Blue, Blue-Violet, and Violet Blue, Blue-Violet, and Violet Blue-Violet, Violet, Red-Violet, and Red Blue-Violet, Violet, Red-Violet, and Red Red-Orange, Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow Red-Orange, Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow Colors that give the feeling of cold. The colors of the ocean and grass. Colors that give the feeling of cold. The colors of the ocean and grass.

Earth Tones Earth tones are color that are created by mixing equal parts of 2 secondary colors. Earth tones are color that are created by mixing equal parts of 2 secondary colors. ORANGE + VIOLET = RUSSET (Reddish Brown), ORANGE + GREEN = CITRON (Golden Yellow), GREEN + VIOLET =OLIVE. ORANGE + VIOLET = RUSSET (Reddish Brown), ORANGE + GREEN = CITRON (Golden Yellow), GREEN + VIOLET =OLIVE.