Prang Colour System:

The appeal of colour is universal. Colour

plays an important role in our lives. Colour
is a source of pleasure to everybody.
Colours can change the moods, reduce or
increase tensions, cause excitement and
sometimes have a soothing effect for a
tired person. All homemakers should try to
have beautiful colours in their homes. One
can access the value of colour in three ways
in light, vision and pigment.

There are several theories regarding the

classification of colour. Colours mean
different things to people of different
professions, such as physiologist, the
chemist, the physicist, psychologists and
the artists. The simplest colour theory is
given by Prang which is named as Prang
Colour System or Prang Colour Wheel.
 Prang Colour System:
Prang has classified the colour into five sections:

(1) Primary colours

(2) Secondary or Binary colours

(3) Intermediate colours

(4) Tertiary colours

(5) Quaternary colours

Primary colours:

The three colours Yellow, Red and

Blue are the primary colours. All
other colours are made by mixing
one or more of these three colours
in various proportions. These three
are the basic or fundamental
colours. Y-Yellow, R-Red, B-Blue.
Secondary or Binary colours:

When two primary colours are mixed in equal proportion a secondary or binary colour
results.

These are:

Red + Yellow = Orange

Yellow + Blue = Green
Blue + Red = Purple or Violet

Three primary and three secondary colours are known as “Six standard colours”.
Intermediate colours:

When one primary and a neighbouring secondary colours are mixed, an intermediate
colour results.

These are:

Yellow + Green = Yellow Green

Blue + Green = Blue Green
Blue + Violet = Blue Violet
Red + Violet = Red Violet
Red + Orange = Red Orange
Yellow + Orange = Yellow Orange

The Primary, secondary and intermediate colours constitute the outer circle in the Prang
Colour chart.
Tertiary Colours:

When two secondary or binary colours are mixed, a tertiary colour results.

These are:

Green + Orange = Tertiary Yellow

Green + Violet = Tertiary Blue
Orange + Violet = Tertiary Red

Quaternary Colours:

A mixture of two tertiary colours results in Quaternary colour.

These are:

Tertiary yellow + Tertiary blue = Quaternary green

Tertiary blue + Tertiary red = Quaternary violet
Tertiary yellow + Tertiary red = Quaternary orange

In the Prang Colour chart the colours are arranged in a circle. The yellow colour is at the
top centre and violet falls directly opposite to it. Blue lies on the right side and Red
colour on the left side of the colour wheel.
Tints
Tints are mixtures of a hue and white. This example shows ve different tints of red. The
light tones resulting when white are mixed with a color. Much white makes a color cold.

Shades
Shades are mixtures of a hue and black. This example shows ve different shades of
red.

Tones
Tones are mixtures of a hue and its complement or grays. This example shows ve
different tones of red. Tons are created when gray is added to colors. Adding gray
results in colors that are less intense versions of pure colors.
If the colour wheel is split vertically down the centre, the colours will be seen to
fall into two groups:

(1) Warm Colours.

(2) Cool colours.

Warm color
The colors of red, orange, and yellow are considered warm colors because they are the
colors of fire. These hues are also said to advance, meaning they appear to come
forward, making the walls feel closer. Thus,they can actually make a room feel cozy
when used in decorating.

Cool color
Colors like blue, green, and purple (violet).These colors evoke a cool feeling because
they remind the things like water or grass. It gives an
impression of calm, and creates a soothing impression.

The colours at the left side of the colour wheel are warm colours. For example, Red,
Orange, Yellow etc. But the colours at the right side of the wheel are the cool colours. For
example Blue, Green, Violet etc. Generally Red and Orange colours are the warmest and
Blue the coolest colour. Green is in between warm and cool colours. Warm colours are
cheerful and bright whereas cool colours are soothing and calm.
Dimensions or Properties of Colour
Colours have three dimensions or properties:

(1) Hue or the actual name of the colour:

Warmth or coolness of the colour

(2) Value of the Colour:

Lightness or darkness of the colour.

(3) Intensity of the Colour:

Brightness or dullness of the colour.
1. Hue:
Hue refers to the actual name of the colour like Red, Yellow, Orange, Blue, and
Green etc. There is a difference between hue name and colour name. The hue name of a
colour is more distinct and clear the colour name. For example, the hue name of the sky
is ‘sky blue’ whereas its colour name is “azure”. The hue name of fire is ‘golden’ whereas
its colour name is ‘flame’.

2. Value:
Value is the lightness or darkness of the colour. One colour has so many values
ranging from light to dark. The lightest value of all colours is white and darkest value is
black. Black, white and grey are neutral colours. In between white and black there are
number of values which are known as ‘middle value’ or ‘normal values’. The light value of
one colour is called as ‘tint’ and the dark value as ‘shade’.
For example, the tint of red colour is ‘pink’ whereas the shade is ‘Maroon’. In order to get
light value of one colour, white is added and to get dark value, black is mixed. All colours
have a number of values. White is also known as highest value as no hue is as light as
white. Black is the lowest value as no hue is as dark as black. Light values increase the
size of the object and dark values decrease it.

3. Intensity:
Intensity is the brightness or dullness of a colour. Intensity of a colour is usually
achieved by mixing it with its complement and sometimes by addition of grey colour.
Objects with colour of full intensity are striking and brilliant and of low intensity are
sober and dull. Intensity is more in smaller space whereas it is less in large space.
Colour Schemes or Colour Combinations:
Certain colour combinations are pleasing and attractive to the eyes. Colour scheme may
be Related or Contrasting.

Related Colour Scheme:

This colour scheme is produced by combining colours which are related to each other or
neighbouring colours in the colour wheel.

These are of two types:

(1) Monochromatic Colour Scheme.

(2) Analagous Colour Scheme.

1.Monochromatic Colour Scheme:

This colour scheme can be produced from one colour. Several values and intensities of
the same colour may be used. Neutral colours like black and white may be added. This
kind of colour scheme is quiet, restful and makes a good background for accessories. For
example, Pink, Maroon and Red may be combined in producing Monochromatic colour
scheme. This colour scheme is known as one hue or one mode harmony. Here the major
colour is allowed to predominate. ‘Shades’ and ‘tints’ are gradual. The advantages of
this scheme are:
(1) Unity and harmony are obtained.
(2) There is spaciousness and continuity.
(3) The effect is restful.
(4) It is easier to plan and carry out.

2.Achromatic color scheme

An achromatic color scheme is one without color. The most popular achromatic color
scheme is black and white.
3. Analogous Colour Scheme:
When the colours which are neighbouring or adjacent in the Prang Colour Chart are used,
it is known as Analogous Colour Scheme. Adjacent colours are harmonious, because they
have one hue in common. For example, Yellow Green, Green and Blue Green or Red Purple,
Blue Purple and Purple etc.

The colours used should be of different intensities and values. This colour scheme
provides a greater and more interesting variety than Monochromatic Colour Scheme.
Analogous harmonies are quiet and useful.

The advantages of Analogous Colour Scheme are:

(1) Unity in variety is achieved.
(2) It allows for greater choice of colours.
(3) It is comfortable and cheerful.
Contrasting Colour Scheme:
Contrasting Colour Scheme can be obtained by combining colours which are contrasting
to each other in the colour wheel.

There are four ways of contrasting colour scheme:

(1) Direct complementary colour scheme
(2) Double complementary colour scheme
(3) Split complementary colour scheme
(4) Triads.

Direct Complementary Colour Scheme:

This colour scheme can be obtained by mixing the colours which are directly opposite to
each other in the Prang colour wheel. For example, Yellow and Purple, Red and Green,
Blue and Orange etc. They create an attractive harmony in interior decoration.
Double Complementary Colour Scheme:
When two neighbouring colours and their complementary are used together, they form
double complementary colour scheme. For example, Yellow and Yellow Orange to Purple
and Blue Purple or Green and Yellow Green to Red and Red Purple. In this colour
scheme, one hue should be used more.
Split Complementary Colour Scheme:
In this colour scheme one colour is combined with the two colours on either side of its
complement. For example, Yellow with Red purple and Blue purple or Red with Yellow
green and Blue green or Blue with Yellow orange and Red orange.

Tetrad (Double Complementary) Color Scheme

The tetradic (double complementary) scheme is the most stronger because it uses two
complementary color pairs. This scheme is hard to harmonize; if all four hues are used
in equal amounts, the scheme may look unbalanced, so you should choose a color to be
dominant or subdue the colors.