What is color?

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

How is color perceived? Color occurs when light in different wavelengths strikes our eyes. Objects have no color of their own, only the ability to reflect a certain wavelength of light back to our eyes. Colors appear different depending on whether you view them under incandescent, florescent or natural sunlight.

Natural light Incandescent light Fluorescent 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 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. These colors include: Red Blue Yellow Fun fact: Fast food restaurants usually use primary colors for logos and scenery because it evokes a sense of speed and urgency.

Secondary 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: Violet Green Orange

Tertiary colors When you mix equal parts of one primary and one secondary color you achieve the tertiary colors. These colors include: Red-violet Blue-violet Blue-green Yellow-green Yellow-orange Red-orange

All of these elements; primary, secondary, and tertiary make up what we call the color wheel. The structure of the color wheel is very helpful in understanding how all colors can be achieved. You will understand saturated colors more when we do tomorrows lesson. The colors used in the color wheel are called saturated colors because there is no white or black in them.

Tints & Shades A tint is a saturated color that is mixed with pure white color. 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. The more black that you add to a saturated color the darker the color will become.

Warm & Cool Colors Cool Colors: Warm Colors: Blue, Green, & Violet Red, Orange, & Yellow

Neutral Colors Black, Grey, White, Brown, & Tan

Color Harmonies Monochromatic Analogous Complementary Triadic Split Complementary Neutral

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 Harmony Are done by using three or more colors that are next to each other on the color wheel Examples: Red, Red-Violet, Violet Blue, Blue-Green, Green Yellow, Yellow-Orange, Orange, Red-Orange

Complementary Color Harmony Two colors that are directly across from each other on the color wheel Examples: Yellow & Violet Green & Red Blue & Orange

Triadic Color Harmony Three colors that are located within equal distance of each other Examples: Red, Blue, Yellow Orange, Violet, Green

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

Neutral Color Harmony Any combination of Blacks, Greys, Whites, Browns, & Tans

What type of color scheme is pictured here? Summarize What type of color scheme is pictured here?