VILLALON, ROYETTE PHOL

H402CAKO

ART APPRECIATION

COLORS

Color theory is a set of principles and guidelines used to create harmonious and visually
appealing color combinations (Sorongane, 2022). It includes concepts like the color wheel,
color harmony, contrast, saturation, and temperature. Understanding color theory helps
artists, designers, and anyone working with colors to make informed decisions about color
usage in various contexts, such as graphic design, interior design, fashion, and more.

Historical Perspective: Early writings on color theory can be traced back to the works of
famous artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. These pioneers
explored the psychological and emotional effects of colors on human perception and
expression.

The color wheel is a fundamental tool in color theory that organizes colors based on their
relationship to each other. It typically consists of three categories of colors: primary,
secondary, and tertiary.

Primary Colors: These are the three pigment colors that cannot be created by mixing other
colors together. In traditional color theory, the primary colors are red, blue, and yellow.
These colors are considered the building blocks for creating all other colors on the color
wheel. While for the secondary Colors: secondary colors are created by mixing equal parts
of two primary colors together. The three secondary colors are: Orange: Created by mixing
red and yellow. Green: Created by mixing yellow and blue. Purple (or violet): Created by
mixing red and blue. The next one is tertiary colors. Th tertiary colors are created by mixing
a primary color with a neighboring secondary color. This results in a wide range of hues that
sit between the primary and secondary colors on the color wheel. Examples of tertiary
colors include red-orange, yellow-green, blue purple, etc.

The color wheel visually demonstrates the relationships between these primary,
secondary, and tertiary colors, helping artists and designers understand how different hues
interact and complement each other in their work.
Color Wheel and Its Development: The color wheel, a fundamental tool in color theory, was
first introduced by Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th century. Later, artists like Johannes Itten
and Albert Munsell expanded upon Newton's ideas, developing more comprehensive color
systems and theories.

Psychology of Color: Researchers have extensively studied the psychological impact of

colors on human emotions, behavior, and perception. For example, red is often associated
with passion and energy, while blue tends to evoke feelings of calmness and serenity.

Color Harmony and Contrast: Color harmony refers to the pleasing arrangement of colors,
while contrast involves the juxtaposition of colors to create visual interest and emphasis.
Various color harmony models, such as complementary, analogous, and triadic schemes,
have been proposed to guide artists and designers in creating balanced compositions.

Applications in Design and Marketing: Color theory plays a crucial role in various fields,
including graphic design, interior design, fashion, and marketing. Companies often use
color psychology to evoke specific emotions and convey brand messages through their
products, logos, and advertisements.

Cultural and Symbolic Meanings: Colors hold different cultural and symbolic meanings
across different societies and contexts. For example, while white is associated with purity
and innocence in Western cultures, it symbolizes mourning in many Asian cultures.

Color Blindness and Accessibility: Understanding color theory is essential for designing
inclusive and accessible products and environments. Researchers have explored color
blindness and developed guidelines for creating designs that are easily discernible by
individuals with color vision deficiencies.

These studies collectively demonstrate the significance of color theory in art, design,
psychology, and various other disciplines, highlighting its profound influence on human
perception and communication.
Artists often use colors strategically to evoke specific moods or emotions in their work.
Here's how they typically use colors to affect mood:

Warm vs. Cool Colors: Warm colors like reds, oranges, and yellows tend to evoke feelings
of warmth, energy, and excitement. They can create a sense of passion or intensity in a
composition. In contrast, cool colors such as blues, greens, and purples are associated
with calmness, tranquility, and serenity. They can be used to convey a sense of relaxation
or introspection.

Brightness and Saturation: Bright and highly saturated colors can create a lively and vibrant
mood, while muted or desaturated colors often evoke a more subdued or melancholic
atmosphere.

Color Symbolism: Colors are often associated with specific emotions or cultural
meanings. For example, red is commonly associated with love, passion, and energy, while
blue is often associated with calmness, trust, and stability. Artists leverage these
associations to convey subtle messages or themes in their work.

Contrast and Composition: The juxtaposition of contrasting colors can create visual
interest and drama in a composition. Artists may use complementary colors (colors
opposite each other on the color wheel) to enhance contrast and draw the viewer's
attention to specific elements within the artwork.

Color Harmony: Harmonious color schemes, such as analogous (colors next to each other
on the color wheel) or monochromatic (shades and tints of a single color), can create a
sense of balance and cohesion in a composition, contributing to an overall mood or
atmosphere.

Cultural and Personal Associations: Artists may also consider the cultural or personal
associations that viewers may have with certain colors. For example, a particular color may
hold religious or symbolic significance in a specific culture, influencing how it is perceived
and interpreted.
 By understanding the
psychological and
emotional effects of
colors, artists can
effectively use color
palettes to convey the
desired mood,
atmosphere, or
message in their
artwork.

One well-known red painting is Rain's Rustle II by Leonid Afremov, which depicts an outdoor
scene and features an unusual blend of cool and warm tones. The couple in the middle of the
painting is depicted as warm and cosy, while the fiery tones of the trees reflect the autumn season.
The blues of the sky stand in stark contrast to these elements.
 The paintings of Imran Qureshi, especially The Garden Within, are a great
illustration of how to use red to convey emotion. This piece is a masterful display of rage
and violence, with the image of trees and blood painted in a harsh maroon—a colour
associated with passion and violence. Although the idea of maroon blood is undoubtedly
violent, the way it is painted between the two plants gives it even more significance and
emotionally connects with the viewer.

Orange is frequently used to accentuate personality. A woman who is asleep is the

main subject of the well-known painting Flaming
June. Despite her slumber, the painting's title and
the vivid orange dress she wears suggest to the
audience that the woman is probably gregarious
and intelligent. All of this is implied without using
words by using the colour orange.

References:

Sorongane, E. W. (2022). Quantum Color Theory. Open Journal of Applied Sciences.

Stávek, J. (2023). A New Interpretation of the Physical Color Theory Based on the Descartes´
Rotation Energy of Visible, Ultraviolet and Infrared Photons. European Journal of Applied Physics.

Batista, P., Meneses, B., Beatriz-Vaz, A., Pereira, A., & Oliveira-Silva, P. (2023). Psychological impact
in a.

Zhai, Y., Gong, R., Huo, J., & Fan, B. (2023). Building Façade Color Distribution, Color Harmony and
Diversity in Relation to Street Functions: Using Street View Images and Deep Learning. ISPRS Int. J.
Geo Inf.

The Consumer Revolution, 1650–1800. (2022). The Cultural Meanings of Consumption.

Aspiranti, K., & Ebner, S. E. (2023). A Synthesis of the Effects of the Color Wheel System on
Classroom Behaviors. Journal of Applied School Psychology, 39, 287-308.

Ghosh, T., Kandpal, S., Rani, C., Bansal, L., & Kumar, R. (2023). Electrochromic Strategies for
Modulation between Primary Colors: Covering the Visible Spectrum. ACS Applied Optical
Materials.

Karip, F. (2019). An Analysis of the Cognitive Structures of Visual Arts Preservice Teachers Related
to Primary and Secondary Colors through Concept Map. International Online Journal of Educational
Sciences.

Hui, G., Aris, A., Dahlina, R., & Rusli. (2023). Research on the Application of Color Psychology in
Fashion Design. Advances in Educational Technology and Psychology.

Chou, J., Liu, C.-Y., Yang, C., & Liao, Y.-H. (2014). Fabrication and Characteristic Analysis of Arrayed
Electrochromic Display Based on Tertiary Colors. Journal of Display Technology.