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Color is one of theseven elements of artand one of the first things we learn in school.
Scroll down to learn the basics of color theory.
History of Color Theory
Color wheel by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1809.
Color wheel by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1809. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Even Leonardo da Vinci explored color principles in his extensivenotebooks.
However, it wasnt until the 18th century that color theory began to formally take shape.
This is the scheme most commonly taught in grade school and is still used inmixing paints.
Werner’s Nomenclature of Colors, 1821. (Photo:Getty Research Institutevia Internet Archive)
Werners Nomenclature of Colors, 1821.
Today, color theory is all around us.
Primary Colors
The three primary color schemes.
The three primary color schemes. (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Alexandru-Radu Borzea/Shutterstock)
These are still the primaries that most painters, artists, and interior designers use today.
The RYB model is an example of asubtractive color model.
Cyan, magenta, and yellow (CMY)are also subtractive primaries.
RYB Color Wheel
CMYK is also the name for the printing process itself, with the K standing for key ink.
The last model used is thered, green, and blue (RGB)system.
We most commonly see this model on computer and television screens.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Plateresca/Shutterstock
What is a Color Wheel?
As old as color theory itself, the color wheel originated with Isaac Newtons color circle published in 1665.
If you keep mixing youll get quaternary and then quinary colors, eventually getting into shades of grey.
Some color wheels will also go into detail about variations on thepure color.
Moving toward a white center they may show differenttintsof the pure color.
A tint is achieved by the addition of white.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Mr. Luck/Shutterstock
Or, they may focus on demonstrating differentshades, which are achieved by adding black to the pure color.
You may even see some that display differenttones, which is when grey is added to the pure color.
Tints, shades, and tones are helpful depending on the color effect you are looking for.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Slave SPB/Shutterstock
For instance, tones tend to be more subtle.
Color theory has assigned psychological differences to warm and cool colors.
Associated with sunset and daylight, they are often perceived as inviting and stimulating.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Macrovector/Shutterstock
Cool colors, which include blue-green to blue-violet are said to recede in art.
Cool colors have links to overcast, wintery days and are considered calming and relaxing.
Red and green, for instance, are complementary colors.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Macrovector/Shutterstock
The second color supports the dominant color, while the third is used primarily as an accent.
Draw a triangle on the wheel and you’ll hit on three colors equally spaced apart.
Split-Complementary
This variation on a complementary color scheme is often used because its a little less jarring.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Macrovector/Shutterstock
Tetradic
Thisrectangular color schemeuses four colors broken into two complementary pairs.
This rich color scheme can be tricky to manage but allows for a lot of variety.
It works best if one color is dominant or if the colors are subdued.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Macrovector/Shutterstock
By using all colors equally, the overall design may appear unbalanced.
Another characteristic to consider is the balance between warm and cool colors.
Similarly to tetradic colors, this palette works best if one color dominates and the others are accents.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Macrovector/Shutterstock
Otherwise, it can look sloppy.
Attention to warm and cool colors is also a must here.
Designers will often throw in an accent color to create interest or break up the neutral design.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom blue-bubble/Shutterstock
This color scheme allows for cohesion and relies on contrasting tones to attract attention or create focus.
What are the 7 basic color schemes?
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Sgustok/Shutterstock
