Part I: Color Foundations The Basic Principles of COLOUR theory

Colour Systems Available colour systems are dependent on the medium with which a designer is working. When painting, an artist has a variety of paints to choose from, and mixed colours are achieved through the subtractive colour method. When a designer is utilizing the computer to generate digital media, colours are achieved with the additive colour method.

Subtractive Colour. When we mix colours using paint, or through the printing process, we are using the subtractive colour method. Subtractive colour mixing means that one begins with white and ends with black; as one adds colour, the result gets darker and tends to black. The CMYK colour system is the colour system used for printing. A subtractive color model explains the mixing of paints, dyes, inks, and natural colorants to create a full range of colors

Additive Colour. If we are working on a computer, the colours we see on the screen are created with light using the additive colour method. Additive colour mixing begins with black and ends with white; as more colour is added, the result is lighter and tends to white. The RGB colours are light primaries and colours are created with light. Percentages of red, green, & blue light are used to generate colour on a computer screen. Additive color describes the situation where color is created by mixing the visible light emitted from differently colored light sources. This is in contrast to subtractive colors where light is removed from various part of the visible spectrum to create colors.

The 12 Colour Wheel Figuring out which colors work well with others isn't just a matter of chance. There is actually a science behind which colors work well together. Different color combinations fit into different categories, and can be broken down easily. Let s start with the absolute basics and move on to more advanced color combinations. A colour wheel (also referred to as a colour circle) is a visual representation of colours arranged according to their chromatic relationship.

Primary Colours Colours at their basic essence; those colours that cannot be created by mixing others. Our color wheel starts with the 3 primary colors. -Red -Blue -Yellow

Secondary Colours Those colours achieved by a mixture of two primaries. When any one primary colour is mixed with another a secondary colour effect is produced. 3 secondary colours are produced from the mixing of one primary colour with another. The secondary colours are: orange (mix red + yellow) green (mix yellow + blue) violet (mix blue + red)

Tertiary Colours Those colors achieved by a mixture of primary and secondary hues. These colours are created when mixing one secondary and one primary colour. in our colour wheel each tertiary colour being created will be an equal combination of the two colours, left and right, surrounding an open segment. The tertiary colours are: yellow-orange, red-orange, red-violet, blue violet, blue-green, and yellow-green.

Complementary Colours Complementary colors are colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. Examples would be blue and orange, red and green, Yellow and purple, etc. Complementary color schemes create a high amount of contrast, but can create a lot of visual vibration when they are used at full saturation.

Complementary Colours Those colours located opposite each other on a colour wheel.

Analogous Colours Analogous colors are colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. It is a good idea to choose a set of analogous colors that create a sense of variety. A good example would be blue-green, blue, and blue-violet or yellow-green, yellow, and yellow-orange.those colours located close together on a colour wheel.

Next Week Classes The Colour Wheel Student need to bring : Geometry Set Old Fabric/cloth Old newspaper Poster Color A3 Size Drawing Block Drawing Brush 30cm Long Ruler Plastic Cup

Assignment 1.1: The Colour Wheel Begin a colour wheel by positioning primary hues equidistant from one another, then create a bridge between primaries using secondary and tertiary colours.

Design your own creative colour wheel

QUESTION?