Color Theory Basic and Advanced

Definition Color theory - A body of practical guidance to color mixing and the visual effects of specific color combination. Color Wheel – A circle with different colored sectors used to show the relationship between colors.

Facts In pigment, white is the absence of color and black is all colors combined. In light theory, the opposite is true. The color wheel was invented by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666 Color can affect you physically and psychologically Chromophobia is the irrational fear of color

Color break down Primary (3)– Red, Blue, Yellow Mixed together to make secondary colors CANNOT be made by mixing other colors Secondary (3)– Orange, Violet, Green Mixed with primaries to make Tertiary colors Tertiary (6)– Red-orange, Red-violet, Yellow-orange, Yellow-green, Blue-violet, Blue-green Primary ALWAYS comes before secondary in name.

Basic Color Theory Warm Colors – Red, Yellow, Orange Cool Colors – Blue, Green, Violet Neutral Colors – Black, White, Brown, Gray Tint – Made by adding white to a color Shade –Made by adding black or compliment to a color Tone – Made by adding gray to a color

Basic Color Harmonies Complimentary Colors (2 Colors) Any two colors on opposite sides of the color wheel (e.g. Red and Green) USED TO MAKE BROWN! Analogous Colors (4 colors) Four colors that are next to each other on the color wheel (yellow, yellow-green, green, blue-green) Triad (3 colors) Three colors of equal distance from each other on the color wheel (Red, Blue, Yellow) Monochromatic (1 Color) The tints and shades of any single color (light blue, blue, dark blue) Warm/cool color dominance (Varies) Using primarily either warm or cool colors with only a little bit of the other for contrast

Advanced Color Harmonies Double Compliment (4 color) Two compliments used together E.g. Red/Green and Blue/Orange Split Compliment (3 color) Color + the colors on either side of its compliment E.g. Blue and Red-Orange and Yellow-Orange Alternate Compliment (4 color) A triad plus the compliment of one color E.g. Red/Blue/Yellow + Orange (blue’s compliment)

Mixing Tips Mixing compliments will give you brown Mixing multiple colors will give you black You can mix on canvas by putting colors close together (optical mixing) Dark colors will overpower light colors When trying to match a color, think about what color it is closest to on the color wheel Mix with a palette knife or other dedicated tool to avoid color contamination(unless that’s your intent)