Colour
an
introduction
Colour is...
...a powerful tool
...tiedto religious, cultural,
political and social
influences
It Affects
Mood
It Can
Communicate
It Has
Cul
tur
al
Significanc
e
It Has Political
Religion
can also be
linked to
colour
The color wheel shows
relationships between
the colors.
Artists often use the
color wheel to help
understand how
colors relate to one
another.
Primary Colors
Secondary Colors
Tertiary Colors
THE COLOR
PRIMARY COLORS
WHEEL
The primary colors are
red, blue, and
yellow.
Primary colors cannot
be made from other
colors.
THE COLOR
SECONDARY COLORS
WHEEL
The secondary colors
are orange, green,
and purple.
Secondary colors are
made from mixing
the primary colors.
THE COLOR
TERTIARY COLORS
Mixing primary and secondary colors
creates tertiary colors.
WHEEL
Tertiary colors include:
Red-Violet
Blue-Violet
Blue-Green
Yellow Green
Red-Orange
Yellow-Orange
On the color wheel, the tertiary colors are
located between the primary and
secondary colors they are made from.
THE COLOR
WHEEL
TERTIARY COLORS
primary colours + secondary colours =
Tertiary Colours
Primary
Primary Primary
Primary
Secondary Secondary
Primary Primary
Secondary
Primary
Tertiary Tertiary
Secondary Secondary
Tertiary Tertiary
Primary Primary
Tertiary Tertiary
Secondary
• Complementary Colours
are opposites on a
colour wheel.
Complementary Colours
can create harmony. Complementary colours are opposite
each other in the colour wheel. When we put this colours
together become brighter; one color is always cool and the
other always warm . This is a phenomenon in Color Theory
called Simultaneous Contrast. The 2 colours are always a
combination of all three Primary Colors meaning one
Complementary colors are colors that are opposite each
other on the color wheel. Imagine the color wheel as a
clock. Pick the color directly opposite that number and
you will have your complementary colors. (2 green and
8 red) A complement absorbs all the light waves the
other color reflects and is the strongest contrast to the
color.
are groups of 3 colours. Analogous
colours are groups of three colors that
are next to each other on the color
wheel, with one being the dominant
color, which tends to be a primary
secondary color, and a tertiary. Red,
orange, and red- orange are
Primary
Tertiary Tertiary
Secondary Secondary
Tertiary Tertiary
Primary Primary
Tertiary Tertiary
Secondary
Neutrals
• Neutral colors include black, white,
gray, tans, and browns. They’re
commonly combined with brighter
accent colors but they can also be
used on their own in designs. The
meanings and impressions of neutral
colors depend more so upon the colors
around them.
Tints and Shades
+
Black
+
White
+
white
+
black
Cool Colours
Warm Colours
Emotional Properties of Color
Colors are often associated with
emotions. Most people have a favorite
color, probably stemming from long
traditions and impressions of color.
The feelings one has about certain
colors may come from the association
we have with warm and cool colors in
nature.
Color of Emotions
Red- often associated with evil, danger, Black- associated with bad luck,
energy, vitality, speed and courage. It s mounful, stark, dramatic
dynamic when used in a design. Purple- a symbol for royalty or
Blue- a calm, soothing, & tranquil wealth and stands for the purest and
color, harmony and serenity , of divine highest ideal.Is sophisticated and
inspiration sometimes associated with creative.
sadness or depression Green- signifies life or hope. Is
Yellow- a cheery color that embodies nature’s most abundant color. It is the
light and warmth. Is the color of the balance between warm and cool and
mind. A creative energy which is joyful the symbol of friendship
and uplifting. Orange- blends with the physical
energy of red with the intellectual
influence of yellow.
White- symbolizes purity,truth, innocence, light
What is color?
color is how the eye perceives reflected light. The three main components of a
color: hue, value and saturation
Hue is where a color is positioned on the color wheel. Technically the hue is
the color which it a design element in itself.
Value is the darkness or lightness of a color and is a design element in itself.
Saturation is the intensity of a color.
Primary colors or pure colors
These are colors that cannot be created through the mixing
of other colors. They are colors in their own right. The three
primary colors are RED, YELLOW and BLUE. Primary
colors can be mixed together to produce secondary colors.
Secondary Colors
(Orange, Green, and Violet) are those formed by the mixing
of
two or more primary colors
Tertiary Colors
(Red-Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow-Green, Blue-Green,
Blue-Violet, and Red-Violet) are those produced by the
mixing of two or more secondary colors
This is a simple one color show…. You
can transform a space using the same
color in varying intensities
from light to dark. This is what we call
the ombre look.
• Blacks and off blacks give
deep, dark value to the set-off
neutrals. Black sharpens and
adds richness to other colors
placed next to it. When used
generously, black may create
dramatic and theatrical settings,
but it might also cause feelings
of depression to some people.
• Whites and off-whites give interiors increased visual space.
Whitened backgrounds look light, spacious, and farther away.
Furnishings that are hues seem cleaner and crisper surrounded
with whites. This is an effective approach in retail
merchandising.
• Used in large amounts,
browns can produce
either cavelike
coziness or a feeling
of oppression.
• Browns and beiges are
often considered
neutrals, even though
they are actually
neutralized colored hues
and are favored because
of the warm qualities
that they bring to an
interior.
• Many beautiful interiors are created
using achromatic whites, grays, and
blacks along with the brown/beige
group. These environments make fine
backgrounds for colorful artwork and
accessories.
FACTORS THAT GUIDE color CHOICE:
• Association
• Cultural acceptance
• Private / personal reactions
Much of color choice is culturally biased. For
example, in Europe and the United States, black is
the color of mourning. In many tropical countries
and in East Asia white is the color of death. On the
other hand, white is the color worn by American
brides, while brides in much of Asia wear red.
HOW TO CHOOSE A color
SCHEME:
1. PREFERENCE OF USERS
2. STYLE & PURPOSE
3. color IN NATURE.
Meaning of colors
Designers have a large range of colors at their disposal and most
are well aware that certain colors are associated with feelings and
emotions. The diagram below show a number of popular colors
and the feelings/emotions to which they are associated.
Designers, companies and manufacturers use colors cleverly to
promote a certain feeling about their products.
Impressions of Colors
Reds: Excitement, High Energy, Stimulation, Provocative and Danger.
Pinks: Happy, Sweet, Youthful and Romantic.
Oranges: Friendly, Inviting, Energizing and Tangy.
Yellows: Warm, Sunny, Cheerful, Bright and Happy.
Browns: Rich, Rustic, Durable, Earthy and Stability.
Blues: Cool, Dependable, Soothing, Serene, and Quiet.
Greens: Fresh, Healing, Refreshing, Soothing and Natural.
Purples: Sensual, Elegant, Mysterious, Spiritual, and Regal.
Neutrals: Quality, Quiet, Timeless, Classic, Natural and Dependable.
Whites: Clean, Pure, Crisp, Pristine, Innocent, and Bright.
Black: Strong, Classic, Elegant, Mysterious and Powerful.
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