Colour Theory

Colour Theory

Colour theory is needed for the Knowledge & Interpretation and the Presentation & Illustration Grades.

This consists of a range of different aspects.

Colour Theory You will need to know about the colour

wheel. What colours are contrasting? What colours are harmonious? What colours are advancing? What colours are rededing? What colours are warm or cool? What is tone and tints and shades? What are RGB and CMYK color models?

The Colour Wheel

Harmonising Colours

Harmonising colours are beside each other on the colour wheel.

The following colours are harmonious:Yellow & OrangeRed & VioletBlue & Green

Contrasting Colours

Contrasting colours are on opposite sides of the colour wheel.

The following colours are contrasting:Yellow & VioletRed & GreenBlue & Orange

Advancing Colours

Advancing colours appear to come towards you when you look at them.

Advancing colours are warm colours: redorangeyellow

Receding Colours

Receding colours appear to move into the background when you look at them.

Receding colours are cold colours:bluegreenviolet

Warm Colours These colours are used to give a

feeling/sense energy and warmth to a drawing.

Warm colours remind you of sun, fire etc. Use warm colours when you want to get

full attention to a layout Design Warm colours are made up of

redyellowOrange

Cool Colours

These colours are used to give a feeling of coolness, comfort, calm & peace to a drawing.

Cool colours are made up of.bluegreenVioletWhite & Gray

Tone

The tone of a colour is how strong or weak a colour is.

By applying more coats of a colour its tone can be made stronger.

This can be shown in the tonal bar.

Tint & Shade

Tints and shades are created by adding white or black to a colour.

White is added to a colour to give it a tint. Pale colours tend to be soft.

Black is added to a colour to give it a shade. Dark colours look as though they are heavy.

RGB Colors models

The RGB color model is made when light passes through the colors Red, Blue and Green. The RGB model is also called Additive Primaries or Additive color Model. The Additive Primaries colors merge to produce White color.

CMYK Color models

The CMYK color model is made when light reflects through the colors Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. The CMYK color model is also called Subtractive Primaries or Subtractive color Model. The Subtractive Primaries merge to produce Black color.

Choosing the Right Colours

Red is usually used to show: Warm Vibrant Exciting Active Festive Passion Danger

Yellow is usually used to show:

Warm Sunny Happy Glowing Easily seen

Cool Elegant Sophisticated Formal Classy

Blue is usually used to show:

Cool restful natural calm soothing fresh

Green is usually used to show:

Cool Peaceful Solitary

Violet is usually used to show:

Warm Happy Cheerful Energy Refreshing

Orange is usually used to show:

Greys Natural Restful Calm

Browns Natural Earthly Safe

Elegant Dignified Reliable Good

Neutral Colours is usually used to show:

Black & White

Dramatic elegant Opposing

contrasting sophisticated

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