Color Theory & Vocabulary

color wheel

A circle with different colored sections used to show the relationship between colors. Arranged in specific order, the color wheel helps us mix colors and create color schemes.

shade

A darker, or blacker, value of a hue (made by adding black).

tint

A lighter value of a hue, made by adding white.

regular pattern

A series of elements that are arranged in a specific, predictable repeating sequence; also called a "planned" pattern

motif

A/the unit that is repeated in a pattern

color scheme

An arrangement or combination of colors.

color

An element of art created by reflected light. For example, an object appears red when red light waves are reflected (and all others are absorbed).

intermediate colors

Colors made by mixing an equal amount of a PRIMARY color and a SECONDARY color next to it. Intermediate colors take their name(s) from the two combined colors; when naming them, always say/write the PRIMARY color name first. For example, mix blue and green to make BLUE-GREEN.

complementary colors

Colors opposite one another on the color wheel.

analogous colors

Colors that are close neighbors (next to each other) on the color wheel; analogous color schemes include INTERMEDIATE hues as well as primary/secondary colors.

warm colors

Colors with fiery red and yellow tones are warm: RED, ORANGE, and YELLOW are warm colors

hue

Hue is the term for "color names": red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet are HUES.

primary colors

In art, these colors cannot be created by mixing other colors; all other colors can be made by mixing different amounts of primary colors.

cool colors

Ocean colors with blue tones are cool colors: BLUE, GREEN, and VIOLET are cool colors.

random pattern

Pattern in which elements are randomly scattered within the unit of repeat

radial pattern

Pattern that appears to radiate, or come out from, a central point - like the spokes from the hub of a wheel

pattern

Repetition of one or more of the elements of art (line, shape, texture) in a planned arrangement

intensity

The brightness or dullness of a hue; adding a hue's complementary color lowers its intensity (makes it "muddier" and less vibrant).

value

The lightness or darkness of a hue.

secondary colors

The result of mixing any two primary colors.