Basic Attributes

of Color
ID 121
Color Wheel

The wheel’s construction is actually quite simple

6 basic colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue,
and purple.
In-between colors – mixes the basic colors.
Colors in the
Color Wheel
▪Primary Colors
▪Secondary Colors
▪Tertiary / Intermediate Colors
▪Chromatic Colors
▪Achromatic Colors
▪Neutral Colors
Primary Colors
RED, YELLOW, BLUE
These 3 colors are the base colors for every
other color on the color wheel. This is why
they’re called primary.
When you mix two primaries together you
get a SECONDARY COLOR.
Also note the triangular positioning of
primary colors on the color wheel, and how
the secondary colors are next to them.
Primary Colors
Primary colors are useful for designs or art
that needs to have a sense of urgency.
Primary colors are the most vivid colors
when placed next to each other, which is
why you’ll notice that most fast food joints
use primary colors in their logos, as it
evokes SPEED.
Secondary Colors
ORANGE, GREEN, PURPLE
These 3 colors are what you get when you
mix the primary colors together.
They are located in-between the primary
colors to indicate what colors they’re made
from.
Notice how green is in-between yellow and
blue.
Secondary Colors

Secondary colors are usually more

interesting than primary colors, but they do
not evoke speed and urgency.
Tertiary Colors
or Intermediate colors
These are the “in-betweens” colors.
YELLOW-ORANGE
YELLOW-GREEN
BLUE-GREEN
BLUE-PURPLE
RED-VIOLET
RED-ORANGE
Chromatic Colors
Any colors other than white, gray and black
Achromatic Colors
Pure achromatic colors include black, white
and all grays.
Neutral Colors
Colors not found on the color wheel.
BLACK, WHITE, GRAY, BROWN, TAN
Are produced by
Mixing 2 complementary colors.
Combining a Pure color with White,
Black or Gray
Pure neutral colors include black, white, and
all grays while near neutrals include browns,
tans, and darker colors.
Achromatic Neutrals Chromatic Neutral
refers to neutral gray tones from black refers to neutral tones with some
to white with no discernible color or warm or cool properties and
hue. recognizable but undetermined hue.

UNDERTONE - a subdued color; a

color modified by an underlying color.
Bright Colors Dull Colors
These result from mixture of These colors result from mixture of
chromatic color with little or no chromatic with a complementary
achromatic color. color, with achromatic or both.
Color Temperature

Warm Cold
 Warm Colors

colors from red to yellow‚ including orange‚ pink‚

brown‚ and burgundy.
Due to their association with the sun and fire‚
warm colors represent both heat and motion.
 Warm Colors

These colors appear as if they are advancing

toward you, appearing nearer. They can help
create a warm, cozy atmosphere.
ADVANCING COLORS
 Warm Colors

When placed near a cool color‚ a warm color will

tend to pop out‚ dominate‚ and produce visual
emphasis.
 Cool Colors

colors from green to blue‚ and can include some

shades of violet.
Cool colors can calm people down and reduce
tension.
 Cool Colors

In a design‚ cool colors tend to recede‚ These

colors appear to recede, as though the space is
expanding
RECEDING COLORS
 Cool and Warm Colors

Green and violet may appear to advance or recede,

depending on the colors used with them. So some
interior designers consider them neutrals that can
complement any color scheme.
 Warm or Cool?
Violet may be warm or
cool according to their
relative content of red
and blue (undertone).
Violet is the
intermediary between
red and blue‚ so a cooler
violet is‚ is one that’s
closer to blue‚ while a
more red violet can feel
very warm.
Warm or Cool?
Green can also be warm or cool according to their
relative content of yellow and blue
 Warm or Cool?
Grays and other neutrals may be called warm or cool
according to their content of warm or cool undertone color.
 Can WARM and COOL
colors be mixed?

Absolutely. In fact, a warm color scheme often

benefits from at least a hint of a cool color to create
balance. And a cool scheme may need a burst of
warmth to liven it up.
 Can WARM and COOL
colors be mixed?

▪The combination of warm and cool colors generally

intensifies the relative temperature of each.
▪One room featuring a predominantly warm color
next to a predominantly cool room can make the
rooms seem more intensely warm or cool. Consider
this effect when selecting your flooring or carpet.
Dominant, Subdominant &
Accent Colors
Accent colors
Dominant color The color with a small relative area, like
an architectural detail or a piece of
The color with the largest proportional
intricate trim, which offers contrast
area, such as main walls.
because of variation in color value.

Subdominant colors
The second largest color area such as
window treatments, upholstery, trim
or floor covering.
Dominant, Subdominant &
Accent Colors
If large areas of a light hue are used,
the whole area will appear light.
60-30-10 Rule
If large areas of dark values are used,
the whole area appears dark.

Placing small areas of light color on a

dark background. Alternating color by intensity rather
than proportion will also change the
Placing small area of dark on a light perceived visual mix of color.
background will create an accent.
Homework for Next Meeting

Dominant Subdominant Accent

Color Schemes
Color schemes are the basic formulae
It is a plan, or orderly combinations of
for creating harmonious and effective
related parts.
color combinations.

A COLOR SCHEME is one or more

related colors used together to create
a mood/feeling in a room.
Color Schemes
6 Classic Color Schemes: Neutral
Monochromatic Accented Neutral / Neutral-Plus
Analogous Achromatic
Complementary
Split – Complementary
Double Split Complementary
Triadic
Tetradic
Monochromatic

Consists of a single base color and any

number of tints or shades of that color
Mood: Calm, Boring - add interest through
different textures and patterns.
Analogous
Related
2 - 4 colors next to each other on the color
wheel. They can be mixed without
clashing because they share a common
color or hue.
Mood: relaxing if in same value (light,
medium, dark)
How to combine
Choose 2-4 Analogous colors you want to
work with.
Choose one of the outer most color in the
arrangement in the color wheel = ACCENT
COLOR.
The 2nd and 3rd color will be your DOMINANT
and SUBDOMINANT COLOR.
Use the 60-30-10 Rule
Complementary

Strong contrast
2 colors opposite each other on the color
wheel
Mood: stimulating, lively, bold, can
overpower.
Complementary

Since complementary colors are so

different from each other in so many ways‚
they can cause an effect known as
SIMULTANEOUS CONTRAST when
placed together:
Complementary
Each color makes the other appear more
vibrant and dominant. This effect is
actually what makes complementary color
schemes so successful at moving visitors’
eyes around a composition.
However‚ it can be horribly painful when
complementary colors are used in a
foreground–background relationship.
Which one has a better combination?
How to combine
Choose 2 complementary colors you want to work with.
(Ex: Violet and Yellow)
Choose the more VIBRANT COLOR you want to use. This
will be your ACCENT COLOR. (Ex:Yellow = Accent Color)
The 2nd color will be your DOMINANT and
SUBDOMINANT COLOR. (Ex. Violet)
Divide the 2nd color.
Dominant = Subdued Tone
Subdominant = More Saturated than Dominant but
not as Vibrant as your Accent Color
Use the 60-30-10 Rule
Complementary
Another common pitfall is to choose colors
that are not quite directly opposite one
another on the color wheel‚ yet are not
close enough to be analogous colors.
These combinations are known as
DISCORDANTS because the colors will
often clash with one another‚ causing
viewers to feel discord.
Usually used in Advertising to attract
younger generations.
Split-Complementary
A split-complementary color scheme combines one
base color with the two colors directly adjacent to
its opposite or complementary color and not with
the complementary color itself.
How to combine

Choose 3 colors which form your Split-

Complementary Scheme
The base color will be your Accent Color.
The 2nd and 3rd color will be your DOMINANT
and SUBDOMINANT COLOR.
Use the 60-30-10 Rule
Double Split - Complementary

Variation of Complementary schemes

A 4 color combination which forms an X in
the color wheel.
2 sets of Complementary colors which are
separated by 1 color in between.
Double Split - Complementary

Double split - complementary scheme can

become highly active, unless carefully
planned.
It can also become chaotic or seemingly
random with too many colors having no
organized relationship.
Triadic

3 colors of equal distance on the color

wheel; they form a triangle.
These combinations can create a bold, yet
balanced decorating palette.
Triadic
Mood: Energetic
Success depends on a careful choice of a
particular hue to act as a dominant theme
used in limited areas.
And two other hues are used in more
subdued forms, shades, or tints in larger
areas to make the scheme balanced.
Tetradic
It involves four colors equally spaced in the
color wheel. (2 spaces in between)
1st color-primary
2nd color-secondary
3rd & 4th color-are tertiaries
Mood: extremely active, possibly over-
varied color.
▪Least safe of all color relationships.
Designer Color
Schemes
Neutral

Uses neutral colors, such as beige, brown,

gray, black and white.
Texture is the key in a neutral room.
Accented Neutral /
Neutral Plus

Neutral colors and 1 color from the color

wheel.
Mood: Calm, with a little bit of excitement.
Achromatic

uses achromatic neutrals like black, white

and grey
Rules for matching Colors:
Pick a pattern as the basis for room. (Choose exact colors from the pattern,
Must have 2 or more colors and follow or their light, med., or dark versions, or
a color scheme add a neutral color.)

Choose 3 colors that match the Use your light color as the background
pattern, one being dark, one medium, to dominate the room. Background
and one light. includes floors, walls, and ceilings.
Rules for matching Colors:
Put your medium tone on the largest
pieces of furniture. This includes beds, Add the dark color as an accent. For
drapes, chairs, dressers. The pattern example, pillows, vases, frame.
can also be placed here.