Colour Theory For Grade 11 & 12 Visual Arts

Review What are the 3 primary colours? What are the 3 secondary colours? What are the 6 tertiary colours?

Review Name a colour scheme that has… …one colour, plus its tints & shades: monochromatic …no colours: achromatic …side-by-side colours on the colour wheel: analogous …opposite colours: complementary …near opposite colours (hint: a triad): split-complementary

Colour Interaction… It is important to know how different colours behave when placed near one another. This can greatly affect the way we see an art piece and whether it accomplishes the mood or aesthetic we are trying to achieve. Artist Josef Albers identified 3 principles of colour interaction; these are… Light / Dark Value Contrast Complementary Effect Subtraction

Colour Interaction… (experience it first) Let’s do some colour exercises together before we get into the theories of how colours interact. http://marilynfenn.com/continued/color-theory-exercises/ Post-activity Class Discussion: What did you learn about the nature of colour from these exercises? Let’s look at the theory behind your experiences.

Light / Dark Value Contrast: Look at the centre squares… Which one appears lighter? Are they the exact same colour or different? They are the SAME! Light / Dark Value Contrast = lighter backgrounds make a colour appear darker, darker backgrounds make a colour appear lighter.

Complementary Effect: Look at the centre squares… Which one appears brighter? Are they the exact same colour or different? They are the SAME! Complementary Effect = when a colour is placed on a background with it’s complementary colour, it will appear brighter than on another colour.

Complementary Effect: Look at the centre squares… Which one appears brighter? Are they the exact same colour or different? They are the SAME! Complementary Effect = Also, when placed on a neutral (grey) background, a colour will tint the grey it with it’s own complement.

Subtraction: Look at the centre squares… Are they the exact same colour or different? They are DIFFERENT! Subtraction = Two different colours can look the same by placing them (strategically) on different backgrounds. The background / dominant colour “subtracts” itself from the centre (small square) colour. Once removed from the coloured backgrounds, they no longer look the same.

Subtraction: Look at the centre squares… Are they the exact same colour or different? They are the SAME! Subtraction = Two colours that are identical, will look different when placed on different background colours because they subtract themselves from that colour.

Try it yourself… Choose a coloured paint chip and cut it into 4 equal parts Place 1 piece in the centre of each of the following… A light neutral the complementary colour (to your original) A similarly coloured background A dark neutral

The Seven Colour Contrasts… This list of colour contrasts were listed by design instructor Johannes Itten in his book “The Elements of Colour.” They are… Hue Contrast Light-Dark Contrast Cool vs. Warm Contrast Complementary Contrast Simultaneous Contrast Saturation Contrast Contrast of Proportion (Extension)

1. Hue Contrast Colours used in pure saturation can draw attention to different areas throughout a composition. Particularly effective with the primaries (yellow, blue, red). Other triadic combinations also work (though less intense). Equal distribution of saturated colours can create a vibrant (energetic looking) art piece.

2. Light-Dark Contrast Contrast of light and dark can be created with any colour scheme (NOT just black and white!) How can you create light-dark contrast using… Monochromatic? Complementary? Analogous?

3. Warm vs. Cool Contrast Warm colours appear to advance and cool colours recede Balancing warm and cool colours can create a sense of calm or fulfillment (most like what is observed in nature) Warm light = cool shadows Cool light = warm shadows

4. Complementary Contrast This contrast is using complementary colours (those opposite one another on the colour wheel) in an art work This can have two possible effects… side-by-side, they make each other as bright as possible when mixed together, they destroy one another (become neutral) Combinations of complementary pairs can also have other contrasting features (light/dark, cold/warm, hue)

5. Simultaneous Contrast This contrast uses the way our eye works: when viewing any colour, it will simultaneously generate its complement if it doesn’t already exist. Causes colours to vibrate – seems exciting / dynamic Seen in the following circumstances… A strong colour and grey Between two colours that are near complements (e.g. red & yellow-green)

6. Saturation Contrast Contrast between pure / intense colours and dull / diluted / greyed colours. Dull colours will look duller beside intense colours and intense colours will look more vivid.

7. Contrast of Proportion (Extension) This contrast is created through the use of mathematical ratios to achieve a sense of balance between colours. e.g. yellow:violet (ratio 1:3) = yellow is three times stronger stronger than violet, so to balance these you must use three times as much violet as yellow. 1:3 1:2 1:1

Try it yourself… In groups you will attempt to “colour in” an image using one of the following colour contrasts… Hue Contrast Light-Dark Contrast Cool vs. Warm Contrast Complementary Contrast Simultaneous Contrast Saturation Contrast Contrast of Proportion (Extension) Afterwards, each group will share / explain their coloured composition to help clarify understanding of each concept.

Colour & Composition…

Colour Unity & Variety

Colour Repetition

Colour Consistence & Continuity

Colour Emphasis

Colour & Space

Transparency