What you need to know about colors.

Color Theory

What do I do, Ms. Oves??

• Take BRIEF notes in your sketchbooks of the most important terms/definitions.

• After we are done, there will be a worksheet on which to demonstrate 8 color schemes and write their definitions.

• Some of the terms in the presentation are NOT on the worksheet, but you still need to recognize and know them (shade, tint, value scale/gradient).

Primary Colors

• Red• Blue• Yellow• When mixed together in

different combinations and proportions, these three colors make all colors.

By Piet Mondrian

Secondary Colors• Orange• Green• Violet• Secondary colors are made by mixing

two primary colors:• Red + Yellow = Orange• Yellow + Blue = Green• Blue + Red = Violet

Tertiary Colors• Blue-Green• Blue-Violet• Red-Violet• Red-Orange• Yellow-Orange• Yellow-Green• Tertiary colors are formed by mixing a Primary

color with a Secondary color.• When naming Tertiary colors, always say the

Primary color first.

Tertiary Colors in Contemporary Art

Cy Twombly, The Rose (II), 2008, acrylic on plywood, 252 x 740 cm. Photo: Mike Bruce. ｩ Cy Twombly. Courtesy Gagosian Gallery

Warm and Cool ColorsCool colors

___________________________________________Cool colors give an impression of calm, and

create a soothing effect

Warm Colors ____________________________________

warm colors are vivid and energetic and tend to advance in space

White, black, and gray are considered neutrals.

Neutral Value Scale

What is a shade:___________________________

A color is made darker by adding black

What is a tint:_______________________

A color is made lighter by adding white.

Simple example of tints (top) and shades (bottom)

Complimentary colors________________________

Colors that are across from each other on the color wheel.

Complementary Colors, cont.________________________

The high contrast of these colors create a vibrant look.

Split Complementary

1 color and the 2 colors next to its complement.

Analogous Colors ________________________

These are colors next to one another on the color wheel, usually in combinations

of three.

Analogous Colors, cont.___________________________________________

Often found in nature, these colors are harmonious and pleasing to the eye.

MonochromaticThe use of one color in various shades, in addition to neutrals.

From Sunflowers series, Vincent van Gogh, 1887-89