Colors

What is the color wheel? A twelve-hour color system developed by Louis Prancy.

Primary Colors: Red, yellow, blue. Secondary Colors: Orange, green, violet. Tertiary Colors: Red-orange, red-violet, blue-violet, yellow-green, yellow-orange.

Chromatic Colors: Colors visible from the spectrum characterized by hue and chroma; all colors other than black, white, and gray.

Advancing Colors: Warm colors composed of red or yellow. Receding Colors: Cool colors composed of blue and green.

Colors Not on the Color Wheel: White, black, gray. Neutral Colors: Achromatic colors with a small amount of hue added; includes colors other than black, white, and gray. Achromatic Colors: White, black, gray.

Hue: The descriptive name of a pure color without black or white added. Intensity: Reflects the maximum amount of light reflected to the viewer's eye; not mixed with black, white, or gray. Tint: A hue lightened by the addition of white (pastel). Gray Scale: Visual aid representing the graduation of value from black to white. Color: The visual response to the eyes from reflected rays of light. Shade: A hue darkened by the addition of black. Saturation: Measure of intensity or brightness of color, describing the amount of light reflecting from it. Tone: A hue muted by the addition of white (pastel appearance). Pigment: A substance providing color to paint, dyes, and materials. Value: The lightness of a hue, including black, white, or gray.

Color Harmonies:

  • Achromatic: White, black, and values of gray.

  • Monochromatic: Grouping of different values of one hue.

  • Analogous: Hues on the color wheel adjacent (within one primary color).

  • Complementary: Pair of hues directly opposite each other on the color wheel.

  • Split Complementary: Trio of hues consisting of a hue and the two hues adjacent to its direct complement.

  • Triadic: Grouping of three hues that are equidistant on the color wheel (primary colors).

  • Tetradic: Grouping of four hues that are equidistant on the color wheel.

  • Polychromatic: A multi-color grouping of unrelated hues.

Example of Holiday Centerpiece for Christmas:

  • Flowers: Lincoln roses, white tulips, green solidago.

  • Color Harmony: Complementary colors with added white.

  • Container: Tall white vase.