Color Theory

The Color Wheel

• Isaac Newton discovered that when light hit a glass prism the light broke into rays of color with a clearly seen spectrum.

• Color comes from rays within the sun and has to be reflected to be seen.

• A Natural example is a rainbow.

Color Theory

• In the visual arts, color theory or colour theory is a guide to color mixing and the visual effects of a specific color combination.

• There are also definitions (or categories) of colors based on the color wheel: primary color, secondary color and tertiary color.

Hue • Pure color without the addition of black,

white, or gray

Primary Colors

• Colors at their basic essence

• These colors CANNOT be created by mixing

Red, Yellow, Blue

Secondary Colors

• The colors achieved by a mixture of two primaries.

Red + Yellow =

Yellow + Blue =

Blue + Red = Violet

Green

Orange

Tertiary Colors or Intermediate

Colors

• The colors achieved by a mixture of primary and secondary hues.

Red Orange Yellow Orange

Red Violet Yellow Green

Blue Violet Blue Green

What are We Going To Do?

• Create a color wheel mixing all of our colors from the PRIMARY COLORS.

What type of balance does a color wheel have?

Radial Balance

• the balance as the result of components that are distributed around a center point or spring out from a central line

Shades

• In color theory, a shade is the mixture of a color with black, which reduces lightness.

Tints

• In color theory, a tint is the mixture of a color with white, which increases lightness

Tones

• A tone is produced either by the mixture of a color with gray, or by both tinting and shading.

What are color schemes?

• An arrangement or combination of colors.

• They are used to create style and appeal or to convey a certain mood.

Analogous Color Scheme

• Analogous color schemes use

• colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. They usually match well and create serene and comfortable designs.

• Analogous color schemes are often found in nature and are harmonious and pleasing to the eye.

Complementary Color Scheme

• Colors that are opposite each other

on the color wheel

• The high contrast of complementary colors creates a vibrant look especially when used at full saturation.

Warm Color Scheme

• Those that tend to advance in space and can be overwhelming. (think exciting fire and volcanoes).

• Contrast with cool colors.

• Red-Violet, Red, Red-Orange, Orange, Yellow-Orange, and Yellow

Cool Color Scheme

• Cool colors are not overpowering and tend to recede in space. (think calming blue waters).

• Contrast with warm colors.

• Violet, Blue-Violet, Blue, Blue-Green, Green, Yellow-Green

Monochromatic Color Scheme

• All the colors (tints, tones, and shades) of a single hue.

• Example: A picture using blue, a tint of blue, a shade of blue, and a tone of blue

Split Complementary Color Scheme

• A variation of the complementary color scheme.

• In addition to the base color, it uses the two colors beside its complement.

• This color scheme has the same strong visual contrast as the complementary color scheme, but has less tension.

Assignment:

• On one piece of paper:

– Draw 3 pictures. Can be 3 of the same picture or 3 different pictures.

– Use 3 different color schemes. 1 color scheme for each picture.

– Label each color scheme and label the colors that you used in that color scheme.

– This is part of your project grade!

In Your Sketchbook…

• Start brainstorming about:

– Things that may describe you

– What color schemes you will want to use (at least 3)

– What would you enjoy drawing?

– How can I combine many different things into one picture?

– Will my art tell a story?

– Practice drawing your design

Step 1: Trace the template

3 times in your sketchbook

Step 2:

Create a Design in your shape. Keep in mind

that it will be repeated 12 times.

Transfer your approved design onto cardstock

paper.

Step 3

Create a boarder around your design to create a template for

you to cut.

Step 4:

Cut out your template

Step 5:

Start to trace your design. Play with it, you

may want to flip your template each time, or keep it the same way.

Step 6:

Start painting your design. Start with the Primary colors. Red,

Yellow, and Blue.

CLEAN OUT WATER BETWEEN COLOR CHANGE!!!!!