Colour Theory

Colour Theory

M.C Gillis. Colour Theory.2003-2006.Online Image. ABC'S of colour theory.Viewed 17/10/14. Available at:http://awesomeartists.com/ART/mTheABCsOfArtColorTheory.htm

Definition of colour theory-

 'Colour theory is in the visual arts, a body of practical guidance to colour mixing and the visual effects of a specific colour combination. There are also definitions of colours based on the colour wheel, these Primary Colours, Secondary Colours and Tertiary Colours'

Google. Definition. 17/10/14. Available at:

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=what%20is%20colour%20theory

Definition of colour scheme-

'is the choice of colours used in design for a wide range of media. Colour schemes are used to create style and appeal'

[information from notes from seminar with Kat Vogart]

Definition of Colour Wheel-

' Colour wheel or colour circle is an abstract illustrative organisation of colour hues around a circle that shows relationships between primary colours/tertiary colours etc..'

[information from Notes from seminar with Kat Vogart]

[Image of notes from seminar with Kat Vogart]

Colour Context-

Is the interaction of colour and how the colour behaves in relation to colours and shapes

Colour Harmony-

In visual context and experiences, harmony is something that is pleasing to 

the eye

Describing colour-

Light, Dark, Pale, Matte, Shiney, Satin, Deep, Dull, Intense, Muted, Clear, Cool, Warm, Dynamic. All these describe colour. 

Defining colour- Lightness (Light VS Dark or White VS Black)

-Saturation (Intense VS Dull)

- Hue

[All information (from colour context) above are from notes taken during seminar with Kat Vogart/ Image of notes]

Understanding Colour-

I find watching videos helps me understand things alot better. Here is a video by Andrew Price explaining colour. He touches on Colour hues, Saturation, Primary and secondary colours, Monochromatic colour, Complementary colour and Tetratic colour. He explains all relevant information for beginners in great detail

He also has posted a written version of this video for quicker reference- 
Andrew Price. Understanding Colour. 2014. YouTube. Viewed 11/10/14. Available at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj1FK8n7WgY 

Saturation/Value-

Blend Guru. 2014. SaturationandValue. Online Post. Official Website. Andrew Price. Viewed 17/10/14. Available at: http://www.blenderguru.com/tutorials/understanding-colors/#.VEDu4fldWSo 
This image is relevant for visually showing me what saturation and value is within colour]

'Value and saturation play a huge part in an image. Too much saturation in more than one colour can irritate and annoy the viewer because they have not got anything to focus on and to work themselves around the whole image, instead they are temporarily blinded by this huge use of colour. Images that use different percentages of saturation are proven to invite a viewer and is very pleasing to the eye. Value as stated above is the brightness and darkness change in one colour. Changing the value in an image can create depth and is much more pleasing to the eye than one solid colour. Both of these can be used in 'Monochromatic colour' also.
At 20% value, red becomes a dark muddy brown. In fact just using the color red as a starting point, you can create these shades simply by changing the saturation and value. The shades created are above' 
Blend Guru. Andrew Price. 2014. Official Website. Viewed 17/10/14 Available at:  http://www.blenderguru.com/tutorials/understanding-colors/#.VEDu4fldWSo 

Monochromatic Colour-

Monochromatic colour is simply the use of one colour. 
To use this and to use is effectively you simply choose a colour, and change the saturation/value of the colour and you then create a whole pallet of different shades. 
Monochromatic colour is one of the most common way to use colour mainly because people are scared of colour, the use of one colour in different shades is considered 'Safe'

 
Monochromatic Colour.2012. Day 5, Colour 101. Story About Home. Lindsay Porter. Viewed 17/10/14. Available at: http://www.thestoryofhome.com/2012/10/day-5-color-101.html

Complementary Colour-

Complementary colour is also very popular. The use of two colours on opposite sides of the colour wheel which really suit eachother. Watching the video above, Andrew Price taught me that the use of equal amounts of each colour will create an ugly photo and that you should choose one colour that makes a bigger appearance and another that stays in the background or to create splashes of interest on an image as this will naturally please the eye.


Complementary Colour.2012. Day 5, Colour 101. Story About Home. Lindsay Porter. Viewed 17/10/14. Available at: http://www.thestoryofhome.com/2012/10/day-5-color-101.html

Analgous Colour-

Analogous colour is the use of colour that are next to eachother on the colour wheel. Andrew Price said in his video that its mostly seen on images of nature, creating a calm, comfortable and peaceful mood.



Analogous Colour. 2012. Day 5, Colour 101. Story About Home. Lindsay Porter. Viewed 17/10/14. Available at: http://www.thestoryofhome.com/2012/10/day-5-color-101.html

Achromatic Colour-
Achromatic colour is a colour spectrum consisting of Black, white and different shades of grey. These are not normally referred to as a 'colour' and achromatic means 'free from colour' Another colour scheme which is the exact oposite of achromatic colour is chromatic colour which is made up of any colour other than black, white and grey.


Here is an example of a Achromatic colour scheme. Apart from the plants on the table this image is solely made up of black, white and greys. 
Posted By Luke Chu. Pinterest. Dream Home. BrightBoldBeautiful. Date Unknown. Viewed 17/10/14 Available at:http://www.pinterest.com/pin/383580093234561839/]


Primary Colours-
Primary colours are Red, Yellow and Blue. These colour hues are able to be mixed to create other colours.
Secondary Colours-
Secondary colours are Green, Orange and purple formed by mixing primary colours these hues were created. 
Tertiary Colours-
Tertiary colours are Yellow-Orange, Red-Orange, Red-Purple, Blue-Purple, Blue-green and Yellow-green

Understanding Colour Theory. Practical Commerce. 2011. Drew Coffin. Article. Viewed 17/10/14. Available at: http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/3247-Understanding-Color-Theory

Where did colour theory come from?

Sir Issac Newton a Philosopher and mathematician developed the first colour theory diagram in 1666. Since then many other scienstists and artists have designed lots of different variations of this diagram.  

Godfrey Kneller. Sir Issac Newton.Online Image. 2009. The Library Table. Viewed 17/10/14. Available at: http://www.thelibrarytable.com/2009/08/25/newtons-experiments-with-light-and-color/