Color

Theory
Color theory is both the science and art of using color. It explains how humans perceive color; and the visual
effects of how colors mix, match or contrast with each other. Color theory also involves the messages colors
communicate; and the methods used to replicate color.
The first color wheel was designed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666 so it absolutely predates your introduction to
it in kindergarten. Artists and designers still use it to develop color harmonies, mixing and palettes.

The color wheel consists of three categories; primary colors (red, yellow, blue), three secondary
colors (colors created when primary colors are mixed: green, orange, purple) and six tertiary colors (colors
made from primary and secondary colors, such as blue-green or red-violet).
 There are three Primary Colors, corresponding
Secondary Colors and Tertiary Colors. The ‘Color
Wheel’ was developed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666.
The selection of color is based on ‘color pigment’
not on light-color. Yellow, Red and Blue are the
three primary colors that cannot be created by
mixing any color. Yellow, Red and Blue are the three
basic colors that would create all other colors. The
above topic (color wheel) would be discussed in
detail in the chapter on Color Principles.

COLOR WHEEL
Draw a line through the center of the
wheel, and you’ll separate the warm
colors (reds, oranges, yellows) from cool
colors (blues, greens, purples).
Warm colors are generally associated with
energy, brightness, and action, whereas
cool colors are often identified with calm,
peace, and serenity.
When you recognize that color has a
temperature, you can understand how
choosing all warm or all cool colors in a
logo or on your website can impact your
message.

Colours are sometimes called warm colours or cool colours. Warm colours make something
seem warmer, closer and cosier than it actually is. Warm colours are colours like reds and
apricots. Warm colours are often used to make a cold room feel warmer or to make a room feel
cosier.

Cool colours make a room feel cool and more roomy. They are often used in rooms that get
a lot of sunlight so that they don’t feel as hot. Many blues and greens are cool colours.
Color schemes
Monochromatic - Monochromatic
color schemes use one color only
but use different strengths of the
color and different textures to
make it more interesting.
Complementary color schemes use
colors that are opposite each other
on the wheel. For example, blue
green and red orange. This
normally works best when one
color is used the most and the
other color is used for accents.
Experiment and see which ones
you like best.
Split complementary colour
schemes use any colour from the
colour wheel with the two colours
that are directly on either side of
the colour opposite the one
chosen. For example blue and
violet with yellow orange
Triadic color schemes use three
colors that are an equal distance
away from each other on the color
wheel. For example red orange,
yellow green and blue violet. One
color should be used as the main
color and the other two as accent
colors.
Achromatic color schemes use
white to black only. These color
schemes are normally very
sophisticated.
COLOR HARMONY
 Color harmony delivers visual interest and a sense of order. Color harmony is created
with the help of contemporary and analogous color. Nature has played important role
in helping to create color harmony as well.
 Extreme unity leads to under-stimulation Extreme complexity leads to over
stimulations.
 Harmony, expresses dynamic gesture and qualitative activity that embodies a dynamic
equilibrium. Interestingly nature departs from the color harmony. Nature is not
programmed to create harmony consciously.
 In visual experience, harmony is something that is pleasing to the eye. It engages
viewer and it creates an inner sense of order, a balance in the visual experience.
 The visual task requires that we present a logical structure. Color harmony delivers
visual interest and a sense of order.