What is color?

Color is the by product of the spectrum of light, as it is reflected or absorbed, as

received by the human eye and processed by the human brain. Color is the visual
perceptual property corresponding in humans to the categories called red, yellow, blue,
black etc. Color derives from the spectrum of light (distribution of light energy versus
wave length) interacting in the eye with the spectral sensitivities of the light receptors.
Importance of color

Color is a language.
Color is one of the most fulfilling elements in our lives. Color can attract your attention or
change your mood. It speaks to who you are, how you feel and where you're going. At
Sherwin-Williams, we can help you put together the perfect colors for your life.

Color is one of the first things you notice

when you walk into a room. Is it any wonder that color, and how you use it, is one of the
most important decorating decisions you'll make in your home? Inside your home, the
latest colors and the way they're applied givevoice to your personality and décor.

Color sets a mood.

From floor to ceiling, paint color reflects your style and makes a personal statement of
what home means to you.Color unites one-of-a-kind accent pieces with
manufactured items throughout your home.Electrifying hues, inspired by technology,
bring a touch of whimsy to spaces that alsofeature natural carved wood, woven textiles
and wrought iron. Bright colors are further enhanced when paired with large areas of
negative space.
Color attributes Hue
Hue, saturation, and brightness are aspects of color in the red, green, and blue (RGB)
scheme. All possible colors can be specified according to hue saturation, and brightness
(also called brilliance), just as colors can be represented in terms of the R, G, and B
components. In hue there are three types of colors prirmay, secondary, and tertiary.

Primary colors
There are three primary colors:
red, blue, and yellow. They are
called primary
colors because they cannot be created
by mixing other colors. These three
colors it's possible to mix
most other colors."Primary" colors are
either imaginary or imperfect.
Red, Blue, and Yellow
Secondary colors
They're located in-between the primary colors to indicate what colors they're made from.
Secondary colors are usually more interesting than primary colors, but they do not evoke
speed and urgency.
Secondary colors are colors produced by combining two of the primary colors in equal
amounts. The secondary colors, also called binary colors, are violet, green, and
orange. Primary and secondary colors are fundamental colors in the subtractive theory
of color.
Tertiary colors
Tertiary colors are combinations of primary and secondary colors. There are six tertiary
colors; red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, and red-violet.
In compounding these names, such as “red”with “orange” to make “red-orange,” place
the primary name first to indicate an excess of the primary over the other color.
Value
Color value is a term that refers to how light or
dark a color is. Value is an important characteristic because it helps quilters decide how
to arrange patches of fabric to make them either blend or contrast with each other.

Hue
The color in its purest form, with no black, gray, or white added. For example, scarlet,
crimson, and pinkhave the same hue – red. You can see hues on the outer edge of the
color wheel and in the spectrum.

Saturation
The amount of hue in proportion to the neutral gray of the same lightness that is the
intensity of color.In this example, the leftmost swatch has the saturation of 1 (maximum
value) and the rightmost swatchhas the saturation of 0 (minimum value)
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.
Color harmonies
Harmony can be defined as a pleasing arrangement of parts, whether it be music,
poetry. Visual experiences, harmony is something that is pleasing to the eye. It engages
the viewer and it creates an inner sense of order, a balance in the visual experience.
When something is not harmonious, it's either boring or chaotic.
At one extreme is a visual experience that is so bland that the viewer is not engaged.
The human brain will reject under-stimulating information.
At the other extreme is a visual experience that is so over done, so chaotic that the
viewer can't stand to look at it. The human brain rejects what it can not organize, what it
can not understand. The visual task requires that we present a logical structure. Color
harmony delivers visual interest and a sense of order.

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.
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.
Monochromatic Color Scheme
The monochromatic color scheme uses variations in lightness and saturation of a single
color. This scheme looks clean and elegant. Monochromatic colors go well together,
producing a soothing effect.
The monochromatic scheme is very easy on the eyes, especially with blue or green
hues.

Achromatic color scheme

An achromatic color scheme is one without color. The most popular achromatic color
scheme is black and white.

Complementary Color Scheme

The complementary color scheme consists of two colors that are opposite each other on
the colorwheel. This scheme looks best when you place a warm color against a cool
color. This scheme is intrinsically high-contrast.

Split Complementary Color Scheme

The split complementary scheme is a variation of the standard complementary scheme.
It uses a color and the two colors adjacent to its complementary. This provides high
contrast with out the strong tension of the complementary scheme.
Triad Color Scheme
The triadic color scheme uses three colors equally spaced around the color wheel. This
scheme is popular among artists because it offers strong visual contrast while retaining
harmony and color richness.The triadic scheme is not as contrasting as the
complementary scheme, but it looks more balanced and harmonious.

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.

Analogous colors
Analogous colors are any three colors which are side by side on a 12 part color wheel,
such as yellow-green, yellow, and yellow-orange. Usually one of the three colors
predominates.