Color Theory Basics

What is Colour Theory

Color mixing guides us through emotions associated with color, from concepts based on the theory of color.

Theory of Color

• The theory of color is based on the color wheel, which has twelve basic colors.
• Subtractive color is derived from the primary colors red, yellow, and blue.
• Secondary colors can be made by mixing two primary colors.
• When you mix a primary color, and its adjacent secondary color you will get a tertiary color.
• Opposite colors are complimentary.
• Colors which sit next to each other on the color wheel chart are analogous.

Color Characterizations

Hue

• The hue is the specific color without black or white added to it.

Saturation

• The saturation is the vibrancy of the color.
• Low saturation is more gray or dull.
• Full saturation is bright.

Value

• Value is the lightness or darkness of the color.
• Low value is black.
• High value is white.

Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci, in 1490, was the first to use color theory, and expand upon the concepts of the color wheel, and the theory of color. The use of primary colors enhanced the importance of colour theory, and is one of the reasons we still use it today.

Color Schemes

The color theory creates color schemes or color combinations that are in harmony. A color scheme consists of the following:

How to create color schemes

• Choose two colors that are opposites
  Yellow and Violet
• Choose three colors that form a triangle, and are spaced equally
  Green, Orange, and Violet
• Choose four colors that form a rectangle, in pairs of two and opposite each other
  Blue green, Blue, and Orange, Red orange

Analogous color are closely related on the color wheel chart. Always sitting next to each other, these colors are partners, and blend.

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Split complementary colour is ideally used for colour schemes. These color themes can help you relax and are best used when you want to tone down distractions.

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Complementary colours are opposites on the color wheel chart. Color wheel complimentary colors have a pair or a match that compliments it.

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