Color Theory

triadic color system

A twelve-color color wheel with yellow at the top, such that an equilateral triangle connects the three primary colors

Subtractive Process

Absorbs all colors except the color you see. If all colors are absorbed, black is perceived. If all colors are reflected, white is perceived. CMYK uses this process.

Shade

Adding black to a hue to make it darker.

Tint

Adding white to a hue to make it lighter.

Additive Process

An electronic color space. When primary colors are combined, white is perceived. RGB uses this process.

Split Complementary Colors

Color scheme consisting of one color combined with the two colors located on either side of its opposite (complementary) color

Tertiary Colors

Colors created by mixing a primary and secondary color together. • Yellow-orange • Yellow-green • Blue-green • Blue-violet • Red-violet • Red-orange

Secondary Colors

Colors created by mixing two primary colors together. • Orange • Green • Violet

Complementary Colors

Colors on opposite sides of the color wheel.

Warm Colors

Colors that are generally energetic; appear to advance toward the viewer. Colors include: • Red • Yellow • Orange • Red-orange • Yellow-orange

Cool Colors

Colors that are generally restful, peaceful, and soothing. Colors include: • Blue • Green • Violet • Blue-green • Blue-violet

Primary Colors

Colors that cannot be made from other colors. When mixed together equally, resulting color is (theoretically) black. Due to impurities in the pigments, resulting color comes out as brown. • Red • Yellow • Blue

Tetrad

Four colors arranged into two complementary color pairs.

The 3 Properties of Color

Hue Value Intensity/Saturation

Value

Lightness and darkness of a color.

Analogous Colors

Neighboring colors on the color wheel. Always extremely harmonious.

white

Question: What color is created when all color is reflected?

additive color

RGB, starts with black light

CMYK

The abbreviation for colors used in four-color process printing. Stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black (or, key color) Less vibrant than RGB

RGB

The abbreviation for colors used in the additive (electronic) color space. Used with TV's, computer monitors, scanners, cell phones, etc. Stands for Red, Green, Blue More vibrant than CMYK light primaries, when you mix all three you get white light

Saturation

The intensity of the color (amount of gray).

Hue

The term used to describe the actual name of the color.

black

Theoretically, if all primary pigments are mixed together, what will the resulting color be?

Triad

Three colors evenly spaced around the color wheel.

Monochromatic Colors

Variations in lightness and saturation of a single hue.

black

What color is created when all color is absorbed?

intermediary color

created by mixing primary and secondary colors together

subtractive color

uses cyan, magenta and yellow. start with white light.