Introduction to Color Theory

Color

Color is the reflection or absorption of white light from any given surface.White Light: is all the colors combined

Hue is identified as any color

What is Color?

Wavelengths of light

Color when refracted

1672

Sir Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac NewtonPassed a beam of white light into a prism and

found that it created a spectrum.

The Experiment

RGB LightAdditive color process for

producing lightCreates variations of light

because black is the absence of light

Lower light intensity produces darker color

Higher light intensity produces lighter color

Computers, Plasma and LCD TVs, Projectors, or any other device that uses light to create color

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black

Subtractive color process because it subtracts from the color whiteWhite is the combination of

all colorCMYK is used in all printing

devices. The inks overlap to form the various colors

CMYK

Color Half is the use of small CMYK dots to create the illusion of solid color

Saves money by not using as much ink

Color Halftone

Color HarmoniesColors schemes in Art

RedYellowBlue

Primary Colors

Piet MondrianComposition II in

Red, Blue, and Yellow

1930

Primary Colors

GreenOrangeViolet

Secondary Colors

Henri MatisseBoy With Butterfly

Net1907

Paul CezanneStill Life with

Onions

1895

Complimentary

Colors found adjacent on the color wheel“Family resemblance”Changes in value can enhance the contrast of

the hues

Analogous

Claude MonetWater Lily Pond

c. 1899

Analogous

Red, yellow, orangeColors are intended to excite the viewer

Warm Colors

Vincent van GoghStill Life: Vase with 12

Sunflowers

1888

Warm Colors

Violet, Green, BlueUse to express unhappiness, depression or

sadness

Cool Colors

Pablo PicassoThe Tragedy

1903

Monochromatic

“Mono” meaning one“Chroma” meaning color

Monochromatic

Hues that are across from each other on the color wheel

Complimentary Colors

Adding white to a hue

Tint

Adding gray to a hue

Tone

Adding black to a hue

Shade

Basic use of Color