Lesmahagow High School Graphic Communication Colour Theory

Primary Colours Red Yellow Blue

Secondary Colours Green Orange Violet

Tertiary Colours Red-Orange Red-Violet Violet-Blue Blue-Green Green-Yellow Yellow-Orange

The Colour Wheel

Colours and Moods Red Warm Exciting Passionate Dangerous Angry

Colours and Moods Orange Warm Happy Sunny Cheerful Full of Energy

Colours and Moods Yellow Warm Happy Sunny Cheerful Bright – Most Easily Seen

Colours and Moods Green Cool Restful Natural Calm Fresh

Colours and Moods Blue Cool Conservative Sophisticated Formal Elegant

Colours and Moods Purple Rich Regal Pompous Luxurious

Colours and Moods White Hygienic Clean Pure

Harmony and Contrast Harmony Colours close to each other on colour wheel Easy on the eye Creates a relaxing image

Harmony and Contrast Contrast Colours far apart on the colour wheel Eye catching Makes objects stand out Complimentary e.g. the green makes the red look redder, and the red makes the the green look greener

Warm and Cool Colours Warm Cool Reds, Yellows, Oranges Advancing Colours e.g. appear to be closer Blues, Greens, Violets Receding Colours e.g. appear to be further away

Tints and Shades Tint Shade Add white to make a tint Pale pastel colours give the impression of softness Add black or grey to add a shade Dark shades make objects appear heavy

Tips for Choosing a Colour Scheme Any colours near each other (within any third of the colour wheel) will always work together to create a harmonious colour scheme or Any two colours which are opposite each other on the colour wheel look good together and make a bold statement or Any three colours which are equally spaced on the colour wheel work together to make an exciting scheme