Color Theory

for restorative arts final

Color

visual sensation caused by activity and vibration of light

Color is perceived by the

retina

Rods of the retina respond to

degrees of light

Cones of the eye percieve

color

Spectrum

progressive arrangement of colors caused by break down of white light into component colors

Longest wavelength of visible light

red

longest wavelength of all light

infrared

shortest wavelength of visible light

violet

shortest wavelength of all light

violet

Warm colors/ hue characteristics

Red, Orange, Yellow

• longest wavelengths

• reflect heat rays of sunlight

• warmest hue: orange

cool colors/hue characteristics

green, blue, violet

• shortest wavelengths

• absorb heat rays of sunlight

• coolest hue: blue

Absorption

process of taking in light waves

Reflection

return of llight waves from sufaces

• gives objects color

absorbed light rays converted into

heat

identity of reflected color depends upon

illuminating light

white light

combination of all spectral colors

• true white light is sunlight

Chromatic colors

color having hue

hue

property by which colors are distinguished from each other

Chromatic Colors

Colors of the spectrum (hue) and their adulterations (variations)

achromatic colors

color not found in visible spectrum

• neutral colors (white, black, and gray)

• decorative colors (silver and gold)

Scale of achromatic colors

progression of light to dark grays between white and black

Pigment theory (prang theory)

basis for mortuary cosmetology

Pigment

color matter suspended in a vehicle

Vehicle

allow for easir application

characteristics of pigments

• have narrow range of color

• fade of bleach when exposed to sunlight or air

• many are not pure colors

• not stable

  • mixed pigments absorb light

Value

lightness or darkness of a hue

• light colors: high value

• dark colors: low value

intensity

brightness or dullness (grayness) of a hue

hues are considered pure if not

changed in lightness, darkness, or dullness

primary hues

red, yellow, blue

• combined to create all other chromatic hues

• cannot be produced by mixing other hues

• mixing pigments of 3 primary hues in equal proportions makes gray

Secondary hues

violet, green, orange

• produced by combination of 2 primary hues

Standard hues (6)

3 primary and 3 secondary hues

standard color wheel

only standard hues

intermediate hues

produced by primary hue and its adjoining secondary hue

• exhibit average brightness of component hues

tertiary hues

grayed hues

• not found in spectrum of light colors or color wheel

• described as dulled hues

• mostly browns and grays

Color Wheel

consists of 12 hues

• 3 primary

• 3 secondary

• 6 intermediate

compliments

hues directly opposite each other on the color wheel

compliment of primary hue

combination of remaining primary hues

complement of secondary hue

primary hue not involved in its creation

complement of intermediate hue

combination of complements of hues creating intermediate hue

after image

visual impression remaining after colored stimulus is removed

advancing hues

warm colors

Red

• stimulates nervous system the most

• rarest color in nature

• changes the least in diminished light

yellow

• stimulates nervous system less than red

• color of cheer and activity

orange

• most advancing hue

• warmest hue

• can be over stimulating

green

• seen as restful and soothing

• color of idealism

blue

• is the coolest hue

• seen as calming

• blue rooms appear empty and cold

purple

• seen as mature

• seen as moody

• under lighting, can move towards red

• good negative background

vividity

brilliance or reflectivity of a hue\

• effects both value and intensity

achromatic value scale

progression of grays

Grays closest to black

• are darkest

• least reflective

grays closest to white

• are lightest

• most reflective

chromatic value scale

vividity of chromatic hues of the spectrum

most vivid warn hue

yellow

least vivid warm hue

red-violet

most vivid cool hue

yellow-green

least vivid cool hue

blue violet

tint

various quantities of white added

• become pale

• colors value increases

shade

various quantities of black added

• becomes dark

• colors value decreases

Intensity (chroma)

brightness or dullness of a hue

tone

a grayed hue

• all tones are tertiary colors

Changing intensity of chromatic pigments

• mixture with gray pigment

• mixture with small amount of complementary hue

• mixing with different amounts of the three primary colors

  • mixing with 2 secondary pigment hues

complementary hues

2 hues that, when combined in equal strengths, make gray

• tints of complementary hues produce light grays

• shades of complementary hues produce dark grays

Color harmonies are used for

• matching casket interior and clothing

• deciding room interiors

• creating and arranging floral arrangements

Monochromatic hue harmony

involves tints and shades of only one hue

• easiest way to achieve color harmony

• can easily tire eyes

• difficult to keep exact tints and shades continuous

• considered well dress (clothes)

• best when used in small areas (room interiors)

• used for mass grouping

Analogous

2 or more hues lying next to each other on the color wheel

• all hues share a common color

• best when using colors between primary and its secondary colors

• schemes using one primary or secondary color as linking color are not different enough to create good contrast

• easiest to use 2 colors (3 is better contrast)

• considered being “mis-matched” (clothes)

  • best when used in small areas (room interiors)

complementary

involves any two opposite hues of color wheel

• creates balance which avoids eye fatigue

• takes small amounts of high value complement to balance large amount of low value

• rivalry may occur if both complements occupy large areas

uses for complementary harmony

Clothing

• grayed tones of complements minimize eye fatigue

Room interiors

• considered best scheme for modern interiors

• creates illusion of advancement and recession

• brings in both warm and cool colors

Triad

involve three hues

• best used primary and/or secondary hues

• supply richest contrast harmonies

• provide same balanced as complementary colors

  • complement of one hue is combination of other two in the triad

Uses of triad harmonies

Room interior

• best to use tints of primary hues