Lesson 1: Basic of Color Theory

Lesson 1: Basic of Color Theory
Color theory is a set of principles used to create harmonious color combinations pleasing
to the eye and senses. It provides us with a common ground for understanding how
colors can be used, arranged, coordinated, blended, and related to one another. Color
theory is about why some colors work together aesthetically, while others do not. Thus,
it's about color mixing and the visual effects of color.
Color Theory: Structure

Color theory is built upon three basic components: the color wheel, color harmonies, and
color context.
Color Wheel
The traditional color wheel is based on the 12 colors found in the visible spectrum. It's a
basic tool for combining or mixing colors and an easy way of understanding how colors
relate to one another.
1
Rainbow and traditional color wheel
A color wheel has three different types of colors; primary, secondary, and tertiary.
Primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) cannot be created by other colors. Primary colors
can be used to make the secondary colors (green, orange, and purple). Combinations of
secondary colors can be used to make the tertiary colors (yellow-orange, red-orange,
red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green, and yellow-green).
But for color pink' since pink isn't on the traditional color wheel. Pink is a tint, a
combination of red-purple mixed with white. According to color theory, 'pink' is
'red-purple', as it takes only the relationships of pure colors into account, and not the
relationships between lightness and darkness or brightness and dullness.
2
Color wheel showing properties of colors
Color Harmonies
The color wheel helps Heather understand colors themselves, like the pink shirt. Could
the color wheel guide Heather toward combinations of colors, too?
In color theory, color harmony is the basic technique used to create combinations of
colors. Color harmony is the process of matching colors and creating color schemes. A
color schemes, or a set of colors selected, is an important function of the color wheel.
When determining which colors match (or clash) with each other, the color wheel can
provide users with a set of basic rules and several predefined color schemes.
Color schemes consist of two, three, or four colors based on their positions on the color
wheel. For example, a complementary color scheme consists of two colors located
directly opposite from each other on the color wheel. When complementary colors mesh
with one another, they are known as analogous colors. A triad color scheme is composed
of three colors equally positioned on the wheel, while a tetrad color scheme is formed by
two pairs of colors opposite each other on the color wheel, or four colors.
3
Color harmonies
Color in Context
Color theory deals with the interaction of colors with other colors, forms, and shapes in
an environment. Colors change in identity and character depending on the context in
which they are placed, such as Heather's clothing combinations. By definition, color
context is the way in which colors are used in an environment. Context involves not only
comparing colors and their effects, but also considering spatial, social, and cultural factors
along with influences on an audience's emotions and perceptions.
Placement and light sources also play a role in color context. For example, a light fixture
on top of the red wall inside the clothing store may lead to changes in visual effects. How
color behaves in relation to other colors involves not only the relationship of values
(darkness and lightness), saturation (brightness and dullness), and temperature (warmth
or coolness) of the respective colors, but also the effects of light.
4
Lesson Summary
In art and design, color theory is a set of principles used for working with colors that
involves mixing colors, considering the visual effects of color, and creating pleasing color
combinations. Color theory provides a logical structure that can help an artist or a
designer arrange, coordinate, and relate colors to each other. Key components of color
theory include the use of the color wheel, color harmonies, and color context. The color
wheel is a tool for combining and mixing primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Color
harmonies help in the process of creating color schemes. Predefined color schemes
include complementary, tetrad, and triad combinations. Color context takes into
consideration the spatial, social, and cultural factors that can impact hues. How colors
behave in relation to other colors depends not only on light, but also on color saturation,
temperature, and values.

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Color Theory: Structure

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