Color Theory

complementary colors

Colors which appear opposite each other on the color wheel. These colors complete each other on the color spectrum.

cool colors

Colors that elicit a feeling of coolness, associated with the sky, air, water or grass in nature, calm, receding, for example, blue, green, purple.

hue

color

desaturated color

A color of lowered intensity or purity because it has been muted, tinted, shaded or toned.

muted color

A color of lowered intensity or purity, usually because it has been mixed with its complement.

split-complementary color scheme

A color scheme that uses a key color with the two colors that lie on either side of its complement. Example: red with yellow-green and blue-green.

analogous split-complementary color scheme

A color scheme that uses a predominantly analogous palette, but includes accents using the two colors that lie on either side of the complement of the key color. Example: blue analogous palette with red-orange and yellow-orange accents.

complementary color scheme

A color scheme that uses colors opposite each other on the color wheel. Example: yellow and violet.

analogous color scheme

A color scheme that uses hues next to each other on the color wheel. Example: red, red-violet and red-orange.

monochromatic color scheme

A color scheme that uses only one color with tints, shades and tones of that color.

shade

A hue + black.

tone

A hue + gray.

mute

A hue + that hue's complement.

tint

A hue + white.

axis

A line or an implied line which divides an image or design and visually organizes the elements on either side.

contrast

A principle of art, contrast refers to the arrangement of opposite elements (light vs. dark values, warm vs. cool colors, large vs. small shapes, organic vs. geometric shapes, rough vs. smooth textures, isolated vs. grouped objects, etc.)

form shadow

A shadow on an object that gives depth and dimension to its form. (4)

rotational symmetry

A type of symmetry which repeats a pattern turning around a center point, but is never a mirror reflection of itself. Example: the Buddhist cross.

highlight

An area of lightest value in a design, in an image or on an object. (2)

midtone

An area of medium brightness, between the shadow value and the highlight highlight. (3)

landscape format

An image frame that is oriented horizontally.

portrait format

An image frame that is oriented vertically.

low key

An image that uses predominantly darker values on the lower end of the value scale.

high key

An image that uses predominantly lighter values on the higher end of the value scale.

secondary colors

Colors (orange, green, violet) made by mixing equal parts of two primary colors together.

tertiary colors

Colors located between primary and secondary colors on the color wheel, created by mixing any adjacent primary and secondary color. Examples: red-orange, yellow-green, blue-violet.

analogous colors

Colors that are adjacent on the color wheel. These colors will have a similar temperature and hue.

warm colors

Colors that are on one side of the color wheel that elicit a feeling of warmth, associated with the sun and fire in nature, active, advancing, for example, red, orange and yellow.

accent color

Limited use of a color that stands out from its surroundings. The color should attract attention to the focal point or other specific parts of a design or image. (In this painting, red.)

value

Relative lightness or darkness of a color as measured on a scale from black to white.

radial symmetry

Symmetry around a center point so that the object may be divided at any axis and still be symmetrical. For example: the symmetry of a starfish or a flower.

bilateral symmetry

Symmetry around a central axis so that one side of the object is the mirror image of the other side. Also called "mirror symmetry."

value pattern

The arrangement, variation and contrast of light and dark values in an image.

primary colors

The basic colors (red, yellow, blue) that cannot be created by combining other colors and from which all other colors can be made.

focal point

The center of interest in an image or design created by using color, contrast, proportion, etc.

color temperature

The characteristic of a color which makes it appear either warm or cool in feeling. Red, orange, and yellow are usually considered warm, while colors containing blue are regarded as being cool.

local color value

The color value of an object seen in neutral light.

core shadow

The darkest value in the form shadow of an object on the side opposite the light source. (4)

key color

The dominant color in a color scheme. (In Van Gogh's Starry Night, blue.)

figure

The part of an image which appears to come forward or is occupied by the object or subject. Positive space.

negative space

The part of an image which appears to recede or forms the background.

ground

The part of an image which appears to recede or forms the background. Negative space.

positive space

The part of an image which occupied by the figure or subject.

symmetry

The property of equal parts repeated around a point or an axis.

saturation

The purity or intensity of a color.

texture

The qualities and appearance of the surface of an object or plane in an image or design. Examples: smooth, rough, cracked, etc.

hue variation

The range of colors used in an image or design.

saturation variation

The range of saturated and desaturated colors used in an image or design.

figure-ground relationship

The relationship between elements of a two-dimensional image where some elements appear to form the background while other elements appear to form the object or subject.

rhythm

The repetition of shapes, values, colors, etc., to create a sense of movement and visual interest.

atmospheric perspective

The sense of depth created by using desaturated colors, lower contrast and less detail in objects that are further away.

cast shadow

The shadow that is created by an object on an adjacent or nearby surface caused by blocking the light. (7)

light source

The source of light that creates highlights and determines shadow.

color harmony

The use of a cohesive and pleasing combination of colors in a design or image.

color unity

The use of a cohesive combination colors in a design or image created by repetition and harmony in a color palette.

repetition

To repeat a shape, value, color, etc.

figure-ground ambiguity

When the figure-ground relationship between elements of an image is unclear and depends one the focus of the viewer.