Basic Theory of Color

Color

Color is used to convey the intended spirit of a design.

 It attracts attention.
It excites emotions.
It enriches our lives.
 Attributes of Color
Hue:(warmth or coolness)

Hue is the name of a color, red, blue or green. Hue indicates the colors position on the color
wheel. It also indicates the warmth or coolness of color; for instance, red is warm, blue is cold
and green is intermediate.
 Attributes of Color

Value:(lightness or darkness)
Value refers only the lightness and darkness
of a color, the amount of light reflected or
transmitted by the object. Any hue can vary
in value; red can became light pink or dark
maroon.

• Tint
A tint is a color in which white has been
added to a pure color. The more white, the
lighter the tint.

• Shade
A shade is a color in which black has been
added to a pure color. The more black, the
darker the tint.
Attributes of Color
Intensity:(brightness or dullness)

Intensity indicates a color’s degree of purity, strength or saturation. This is dominated by

the quantity of the dominant hue. Scarlet, which is red of high intensity, is almost pure red.
Rose beige is neutralized red.
Attributes of Color
Color Wheel
Primary Colors

There are hundreds of individual colors,

but all of them are derived from the three
primary hues. The primary colors consist
of 3 unique colors

Red
Yellow
Blue
Color Wheel
Secondary Colors
Secondary colors are formed from an equal mixture of two separate
primary colors.

Yellow + Red = Orange

Red + Blue = Violet
Blue + Yellow = Green
Color Wheel
Tertiary Colors
These colors are created when mixing one secondary and one primary color.
i.e. blue + violet = blue violet
Color Wheel
Color Wheel
Warm colors

Red
Orange
Yellow

Cool colors

Blue
Green
Purple
Color Schemes

Complementary Colors
Split-Complementary Colors
Double Complementary Colors
Triadic Colors
Analogous Colors
Monochromatic colors
Achromatic Colors
Color Schemes
Complementary Colors
Complementary colors exist on opposite sides of the color
wheel; one color is usually a primary color and the other a
secondary color.

•Blue & Orange

•Red & Green
•Purple & Yellow
Color Schemes
Complementary Colors
Color Schemes
Split-Complementary Colors
Split-complementary color schemes might
look similar to complementary schemes,
but this combination incorporates the two
neighboring hues of a color’s complement,
such as yellow paired with blue violet and
red violet.
Color Schemes
Split-Complementary Colors
Color Schemes
Double Complementary
(Tetradic) Colors
Complementary colors are already intense
in nature; double complementary, or
tetradic, color schemes up the ante by
using two pairs of complements
Color Schemes
Double Complementary
(Tetradic) Colors
Color Schemes
Triadic Colors
A triad consists of three colors that are
placed equidistant from each other on
the color wheel, forming an equilateral
triangle as seen below. Triads can
include three primary, secondary, or
tertiary colors
Color Schemes
Triadic Colors
 Color Schemes
Analogous Colors
Analogous colors are a group of three or four colors that
border each other within the color wheel.
Analogous colors are sometimes called harmonious
colors.

Blue, Blue-green & Green

Red, Red-Orange & Orange
Color Schemes
Analogous Colors
Color Schemes
Monochromatic colors
Monochromatic scheme consists of different values (tints & shades) of a
single color.
 Color Schemes
Monochromatic
 Color Schemes
Achromatic Colors
Colors that lack chroma and saturation, such as whites, grays, and blacks, are called achromatic.
Many artists prefer to work in achromatic environments because they provide direct indications
of value through dramatic shadows and highlights.
 Perception of Color

Red Orange
Encouragement
Power Joy
Enthusiasm
War Fascination Determination
Energy
Determination
Happiness Attraction
Danger
Strength Success
 Perception of Color

Yellow Green

Cheerful Growth
Pleasant
Harmony
Joy
Freshness
Energy
Restful
Happiness
Safety
Attraction
Playful Peaceful
 Perception of Color

Blue Purple
Trust Power
Loyalty Loyalty
Wisdom Nobility
Luxury
Confidence Wisdom
Tranquility Calmness Extravagance
Purification Dignity
Intelligence Independence
Mystery
Color Wheel
Color

Crimson Red

Cobalt Blue

Chrome Yellow

Black

White
References
https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/complete-guide-color-in-design