COLOR THEORY BASICS

Below is a standard color wheel based on the colors separated by Newton's prism.
Download this COLOR WHEEL to your folder to use as a reference.

 

 

Color Theory Definitions

	Hue The name of the color (eg. green, blue, red,...) Each hue is a specific spot on the color spectrum.
	Primary Colors Red, Yellow, Blue. They are called primary colors because they cannot be made by any mixture of other colors
	Secondary Colors Orange, Green, Violet. Each is made by combining two primary colors. Red + Yellow = Orange.
	Tertiary Colors These are the result of combining a primary color and an adjacent secondary color. Example, Yellow + Green = YellowGreen.
	Complementary Color Those directly opposite one another on the color wheel. They are assumed to be as different from one another as possible.The most obvious are pairings of red and green, violet and yellow, blue and orange. Complements 'react' with each other more vividly than other colors.
Low Value- same brightness level	Value When we describe a color as "light" or "dark", we are discussing its value or "brightness". This property of color tells us how light or dark a color is based on how close it is to white. For instance, canary yellow would be considered lighter than navy blue which in turn is lighter than black. Therefore, the value of canary yellow is higher than navy blue and black.
	Tints, Tones and Shades These terms are often used inappropriately but they describe fairly simple color concepts. The important thing to remember is how the color varies from its original hue. If white is added to a color, the lighter version is called a "tint". If the color is made darker by adding black, the result is called a "shade". And if gray is added, each gradation gives you a different"tone."
	Saturation The measurement of the intensity of color.
	Monochromatic Harmonies This is composed of variations of the same hue, often with differnces of value and intensity. A painting in all reds, pinks, and maroons would be considered to have a monchromatic harmony.
	Analogous Harmonies Combine colors adjacent to one another on the color wheel, such as red, red-orange, and orange.
	Triads Harmonies Use three colors equidistant on the color wheel. The most obvious is the combination red, yellow, and blue.
	Split Complementary Split complementary colors can be made up of two or three colors. You select a color, find its complementary color on the other side of the color wheel, then use the color or colors on each side of that complementary color.
	Warm Colors Oranges, Reds, Yellows
	Cool Colors Green, Blues, Violets