Color Notes

History of Color Colors are often symbolic. Let’s talk about what role color has played in different times in history.

In China… Yellow has religious significance and is still the Imperial color today!

In Greece and Rome… Red was believed to have protective powers. Purple was restricted to use by nobility.

The Egyptians… Adorned walls of tombs and temples with brilliant colors of blue, tangerine, and green.

In the Italian Renaissance… Colors were vibrant reds, greens, golds and blues.

In the Rococo period… Tastes became very feminine and pastel-colors became less vibrant.

In 18th Century England… Colors were rich and elegant, showing a strong Chinese influence in the use of red and gold.

During the Victorian Era… There was great Eclecticism: abundance of “things”. Colors were mostly dull reds, greens, browns, and mauves.

In the Early 20th Century… Colors were Monochromatic. There were sleek surfaces and strong contrasts with black, gray, silver, brown, beige and white.

In the 1920’s… All-white interiors became popular which gave way to delicate pastels with bright accents.

In the 1950’s.. Light colors were preferred. However, American interest turned to Mexico and a shift to bright colors with bright contrasts.

And in the 1990’s… Regal gold, blue, and red were used. Southwestern remained popular and Victorian was being revived. Ivy league also became popular with forest greens and cranberry reds.

Where does color come from? A ray of light is the source of all color. Without light, color does not exist. Color is light broken into electromagnetic vibrations of varying wavelengths, which cause the viewer to see different colors.

The longest wavelength is perceived as red. The shortest wavelength is perceived as violet.

Color Color can alter the appearance of form and space. Color can affect our performance abilities and change our moods. Color is perceived in the brain through a response of the eyes to different wavelengths of light.

Important Terms Hue: Another word for the name of a color. Value: Refers to the lightness or darkness of a hue. Tints: values lighter than normal (created by adding white to a hue) Shades: values darker than normal (created by adding black to a hue) Intensity: refers to the purity and strength of a hue. (Can be bright or dull.)

Pigments Pigments are substances that can be ground into fine powder and used for adding color to dyes and paints. Before they could be made through chemistry, pigments were originally derived from animal, mineral, and vegetable sources. Examples: Purple from shellfish Red dye from the dried bodies of insects To create our own color wheel, we will be mixing different pigments together to create all the colors in the color wheel.

The Color Wheel There are 12 hues in the spectrum of color. The color wheel is a basic tool we use when working with colors. There are 12 hues in the spectrum of color. They are divided into three categories…

The Primary Colors Red, Yellow, and Blue These colors cannot be combined from mixing any colors together.

The Secondary Colors Green, violet and orange Made by combining the Primary colors together. Blue & Yellow = Green Red & Yellow = Orange Red & Blue = Violet

The Tertiary Colors Yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, red-violet & red-orange. Made by combining a primary and a secondary hue. Named by the Primary color FIRST.

Color Schemes

Color Scheme: A combination of colors selected for a room design in order to create a mood or set a tone. It provides guidelines for designing successfully with color. Color schemes look best when one color dominates.

Types of Color Schemes 1. Neutral 2. Monochromatic 3. Analogous 4. Complementary 5. Split-Complementary 6. Triad

1. Neutral • This color scheme utilizes blacks, whites, grays, beiges and creams. Neutral: black white and gray (sometimes brown and beige) White: totally absent of color .give increased visual space .whitened backgrounds look light, spacious, and farther away .Hues seem cleaner and crisper when surrounded by white Black: mixture of all colors .sharpens and adds richness to the hues placed next to it .used generously may create a dramatic and theatrical setting .Accents give richness Gray: combination of black and white .warm grays–welcoming and comforting .cool grays–tend to be cold and uninviting Browns: mixing several colors on the color wheel or neutralizing orange .Often introduced through stained woods .Does not need to match as long as they harmonize .If used in large amounts can create an oppressive or cave-like coziness

2. Monochromatic Tints and shades of one color on the color wheel .Simplest color harmony .Variation is achieved by changing the value and intensity of the hue and bu adding accents of neutral colors. .Can make a room appear larger and unified

3. Analogous Three to five hues next to each other on the color wheel Analogous: colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. .Usually three to five hues .Tend to look best when one hue is dominant and smaller amounts of the additional hues are used to add interest

4. Complementary Two colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel. Complementary: Two colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel. .Complementary colors make each other look brighter and more intense .For less contrast, the values and intensities can be varied

5. Split-Complementary One color combined with the two colors on each side of its complement. Split-complementary: Three colors, they combine one color with the two colors on each side of its complement .i.e. red, yellow-green, and blue-green

Split-complementary: Three colors, they combine one color with the two colors on each side of its complement .i.e. red, yellow-green, and blue-green

Split-complementary: Three colors, they combine one color with the two colors on each side of its complement .i.e. red, yellow-green, and blue-green

Split-complementary: Three colors, they combine one color with the two colors on each side of its complement .i.e. red, yellow-green, and blue-green

Split-complementary: Three colors, they combine one color with the two colors on each side of its complement .i.e. red, yellow-green, and blue-green

6. Triad Three colors that are of equal distance apart on the color wheel. Triad: three colors that are equal distance apart on the color wheel. .The three colors can be used in sharp contrast .By changing value and intensities the contrast can be lessened .Skill is required to achieve pleasing triad schemes