Basics in Art Education Color Vocabulary

Color
Hue another word for color
Color Wheel a systematic, order arrangement of colors
Primary Colors those colors which can only be found in nature and
cannot be mixed red, yellow, blue
Secondary Colors those colors mixed from equal amounts of two
primary colors orange, violet, and green
Tertiary, Intermediate, or Compound Colors Those colors mixed from
unequal amounts of two primary colors
Complementary Colors those colors located directly across (through
the center of the color wheel) from each other
Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color may only be
changed by adding black or white
Tint a color to which white has been added
Shade a color to which black has been added
Intensity refers to the brightness or darkness of a color intensity is
changed by adding varying amounts the colors complement

Color Schemes

Analogous colors next to each other on the color wheel with a color in
common
Complementary colors across from each other on the color wheel in
art are visually stimulating
Monochromatic a color combination using only one color and black
and white
Triadic colors located at the points of an equilateral triangle on the
color wheel
Warm colors those colors associated with heat or warmth red,
yellow, orange in art, appear to approach or stand out may be
emotionally stimulating
Cool Colors those colors associated with ice or coldness blue, green,
and violet in art appear to recede or fade away are calming,
peaceful, and serene in effect