Color Theory

 

Colour Theory consists types of colour, properties of colour, colour wheel, colour scheme and colour effects on the aspect of human being.

Types of Colour

Colour are two types additive and subtractive

Additive:

The colours of light spectrum are additive because when different colours are superimposed or added with one another, a new coloured light is obtained. Light source of various wavelengths combine to make a colour. The colours seen on the screen of a computer are created with light using the additive colour method.

Subtractive

The pigment colours are subtractive colours because when white light comprising seven colours falls on any coloured surface, the surface absorbs reflects all colours other than its own colour,

Ex. All other colours are subtracted from white light, paints, dyes, inks are subtractive colours.

 

Properties of Colour

Hue: It is property of colour by which it is recognized. In other words, it is the property by which a colour obtains its name.

Ex. Red, yellow, green etc.

Value: It is the relative lightness or darkness of a colour. The lighter colour is at a higher value and is known as tint of that colour.  The darker colour is at a lower value and is known as shade of that colour. It can be obtained by mixing with black with a hue or a pure colour. It is also measure of amount of light reflected of the amount of light reflected from a hue. Those hues with a high content of white have a higher luminance or value.

Chroma or Intensity: It is the relative brightness or dullness of a colour. Pure colour has the maximum brightness

Ex. It has the highest chroma or intensity. The chroma can be reduced i.e, the colour can be made duller by adding gray to it. The chroma denotes the dgree of purity of a hue in relation to grey.

Colour Wheel

A Colour Wheel is a visual representation of colours arranged according to their chromatic relationship. A colour wheel is created by positioning primary hues equisdistant from one another, and then bridging between primaries using secondary and tertiary colours.

Primary Colours: These are the colours that cannot be created by mixing others. Red, Blue and Yellow are three Primary colours.

Secondary Colours: These colours are obtained by mixing of equal proportions of two primary colours. Green, orange and Violet are three Secondary colours. Green is obtained by mixing yellow and blue; Orange is obtained by yellow and red; similarly violet is obtained by blue and red.

Tertiary Colours: These colours are obtained by a mixture of equal proportions of one primary colour name of the primary colour. There are six tertiary colours: red-orange, yellow-orange, red-violet, blue-violet, yellow-green. Thus it can also be said that tertiary colours are obtained by a mixture of two primary colours in 1:2 proportions. For example, red-orange is a mixture of red and orange; the latter being again a mixture of red and yellow. Thus red-orange is a mixture of red and yellow in 1:2 proportions.

Complementary Colours: These are the colours located opposite each other on a colour wheel.

Analogous Colours: These are the colours located adjacent to each other on a colour wheel.

Neutral Colours: Neutral colours are the colours which do not contain any hue. Black, white and gray are neutral colours. Sometimes brown and its tints and shades are also considered as neutral colours.

Colour Schmes

Colour schemes can be broadly divided in two categories-

1.Relative

2. Contrasting

Relative schemes are two types_____

Monochromatic Schemes: In this scheme, only one dominant colour is selected which is employed in varying values; tints and shades, and intensities. For example, a scheme can be created with blue hue as the dominant or foundation colour and different tints and shades of it i.e. azure, sea blue, navy blue etc. can be employed in different intensities as the relief colour and accent colour to bring variety in the scheme. The effect of this scheme is sober and somewhat formal. It can be employed in bedrooms, general staff area of an office, hospital interior etc.

Analogous Schemes: In this scheme, two or three colours are selected which are adjacent on the colour wheel. For example, yellow, yellow-green and green can be selected in this scheme among which any one, say yellow, can be employed in its tint over a larger area as the foundation colour and different tints and shades of the two colours can be employed in comparatively small areas as the relief colour and accent colour. The intensities of these colours can be changed also to bring further variety in the scheme. The effect of this scheme varies with the colours selected but generally, it is quite sober and enlivening in effect. It can be employed in older children’s bedrooms, showroom etc.

Contrasting Schemes: In Contrasting schemes, colours are selected mostly from the opposite sides of colour wheel.

Contrasting Schemes are four types:

Complementary schemes: In this scheme, two complementary colours are selected i.e. two colours which are diametrically opposite on the colour wheel. For example, blue and orange can be selected with say, orange in its tint i.e. peach can be employed over a larger area as the foundation colour. Light blue or sea blue as the relief colour and royal blue, turquoise blue as the accent colour can be employed in comparatively small areas. The effect of this scheme is cheerful, inviting and sometimes very dynamic. It can be employed in living room, reception area of an office, restaurants etc.

Split-Complementary schemes: The split complementary scheme is a variation of the standard complementary scheme. In this scheme one dominant colour is selected along with two other colours which are adjacent to the complementary colour of the dominant colour on either side. For example, green can be selected with the two other colours, red-violet and red-orange which are adjacent to each complementary colour red on either side. Among this anyone say, green in its tints can be employed over a large area as the foundation colour. Different tints and shades of red-violet and red-orange can be employed in comparatively small areas as the relief colour and accent colour. So, the effect of this scheme is cheerful, inviting and sometime very dynamic. It can be employed in living room, reception area of office, restaurants etc.

Triad schemes: This scheme offers strong visual contrast while retaining harmony and colour richness. In this scheme three colours are selected which are equidistant on the colour wheel. For example, blue-violet, yellow-green and red-orange can be selected with say blue-violet in its tint i.e, lavender can be employed over a larger area as the foundation colour. Different tints and shades of yellow-green and red-orange can be employed in comparatively small areas as the relief colour and accent colour. Here also the colours are selected from the opposite sides of the colour wheel. So, the effect of this scheme is gay, cheerful and dynamic. It can be employed in young children’s bedrooms, living rooms, reception area of an office, restaurant etc.

Tetrad schemes: The tetrad or double complementary scheme is the most varied because it uses four colours arranged into two complementary colour pairs. In this scheme, four colours are selected which are equidistant on the colour wheel. For example, blue-green, yellow, red-orange and violet can be selected with say, yellow or violet in its tints i.e, cream or lavender can be employed over a large area as a foundation colour. Different tints and shades of blue-green, red-orange can be employed in comparatively small areas as the relief colour and accent colour. It can be employed in children’s room, living rooms, reception area of an office, restaurants etc. this scheme is hard to harmonize; if all four hues are used in equal amounts, the scheme may look unbalanced, so a colour should be selected to dominate or subdue other colours.

Principles of working out a colour scheme

Dominant or Controlling colours: To start with a scheme, a colour should be decided upon, which may dominate the scheme by covering a large area or by the strength of the colour in a small area. The dominant colour can be the foundation or background colour where it will cover a large area in light or grayed tones. Otherwise, it can be applied on furniture or furnishing over a small area in bold, strong tones and secondary colours can be used as the foundation o background colour. It is to be remembered that all large foundation areas should be in light or grayed tones.

Graying: This is a means of creating harmony in the scheme. Clear colours are gayer, more cheerful, but grayed tones are more restful, their harmonies are more subtle. Mixing gray with bright colours brings them into relation with other colours in the room, e.g. red and yellow in bright tones seem to clash. Mixed with gray, they become rose and tan and go very well together. Too much graying should be avoided as it gives muddy tones.

Relief Colours: These colours should be brought in the colour composition to provide visual relief. These should be in soft tones be obtained by mixing with white or gray.

Accent Colours: Bright intense colours should be used to create points of interests. These are usually employed in accessories. The smaller the area, the brighter the colour may be. Use of too much accent colours should be avoided.

Keying : This is another means of creating harmony. All the colours in a scheme should be ‘keyed’ to or harmonized with the dominant colour. Two colours in which any part of a third colour is present will be linked together. Example; to key red and yellow, a little of the third primary hue, blue, can be mixed with both of them. Tones of violet and green will result which are more harmonious.

The safe rule of preparing of a colour scheme is to avoid too many colours and too strong tones except. The amount of space allowed for each should be carefully decided in the following order: the maximum space should be given for the foundation or background colour which is followed by relief and the accent colours.

Effect of Colour on human perception

Colours have different associations in different countries and cultures. In human perception, colours are associated with various natural objects or phenomena and the effect of the colours correspond with the effect of those natural objects or phenomena.

Warm colours, like red and orange are exciting because they are associated with things like sunshine, fire or even blood. Warm colours tend to ‘advance’ and make a space seem smaller. So application of these colours makes a room cozier.

Cool colours, blue and green are associated with water, sky and verdure. So these colours are sober and restful. Cool colours tend to ‘recede’ and make a space seem larger. So these colours create an illusion of greater space.

While considering each colour separately, the effect of the colours can be described as below:

Red: This colour is associated with blood, fire etc. thus it is the warmer colour. It is also a passionate, exciting, aggressive and authoritative colour. With association with medieval history of monarchy, its darker shades evoke the effect of majesty and grandeur.

Orange: This colour is also associated with fire, sunshine but it is less intense than red. It is a very vibrant and simulating colour and expresses dynamism, vigour and enthusiasm.

Yellow: This colour is associated with bright sunshine, vast expanse of ripe crop. So this colour expresses cheerfulness, gaiety and also abundance.

Green: This colour is associated with dense foliage, verdure, which is also a symbol of life and also a source of living; so it gives a sense of freshness, assurance and stability. This is a very rich colour having a sober effect on human mind.

Blue: This colour is associated with expanse of water, sky. So it creates a sense of vastness. It is the coolest colour having an effect of restfulness, calmness and relaxation.

Violet: As this colour is the mixture of the warmest colour i.e red and the coolest colour blue, it has a unique effect on human mind. Moreover, only very few natural objects or phenomena can be associated with this colour. Hence, this colour has a mysterious, awe-inspiring and at the same times a grandiose effect. It express dignity, ambition, power, royalty etc.

All the other tertiary colours are mixture of the above mentioned primary and secondary colours in varying proportions and combinations. Hense their effect on human mind is resultant effect of their component colours. The effect of neutral colours as follows:

White: This colour symbolizes purity, cleanliness, honesty and sincerity. It has a peaceful, calming effect on human mind. This colour also symbolizes austerity creates a formal ambience.

Black: This colour is often associated with night or something mysterious or unknown. So it has an awe-inspiring sometimes quality. This colour also symbolizes austerity and starkness. It creates a formal ambience due to its severity.

Brown: This colour is usually associated with barren land or desert. Thus this colour creates an effect of austerity and strictness. But more vibrant tints and shades with a greater proportion of range can create an earthy and bright ambience.