Color

Split Complementary Color Scheme

A color and the two colors on either side of it's opposite, or complement. This creates slightly less excitement because the colors aren't exactly opposite.

Shade

A darker version of a color.

Color Schemes

A group of colors used together to create a certain mood.

Tint

A lighter version of a color.

Hue

A scientific word for color.

Transparent

Color that you can see through.

Opaque

Color that you can't see through.

Warm Color Scheme

Colors from yellow to red. They show heat or warmth.

Analogous

Colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. This color scheme creates a peaceful mood, because the colors blend into one another.

Cool color scheme

Colors with mostly blue in them. Blues, greens, purples/violets.

Monochromatic color scheme

Different shades of only ONE color.

Saturation

How rich or vivid a color is. A color can be very saturated, or almost grey. This is not the same as light and dark.

The three properties of color

Hue, Value, Saturation

Monochromatic

One color, different shades. this color scheme is usually the most peaceful, because there are no there colors to distract the eye.

Secondary Colors

Purple, green, orange. A primary color plus another primary color.

Primary Colors for Light (monitors, TV's, stage lighting)

Red, blue, green. When you add these colors together, you get white light.

Primary Colors for Pigment (paint, ink etc.)

Red, yellow, blue. The colors cannot be made by mixing other colors.

Pigment

Small particles of color that are mixed with a binding agent (oi, water, acrylic, etc.)

Intermediate or Tertiary Colors

The colors in between the Primary and Secondary colors. They all have two names. A Primary color plus a secondary color.

Value

The range of lights and darks

Color Wheel

The visible color spectrum, bent into a circle.

Complementary Color Scheme

Two opposite colors on the color wheel. this creates excitement, because the colors are high contrast, and it's more strain on the eye.

Triadic or Triad Color Scheme

three colors that are equidistant on the color wheel. This is balanced and a creates moderate excitement.