Why Study Color Theory?

Why Study Color Theory?

Chromatic Value, Monochromatic Images, Primary

Colors, Hue, Saturation

A very quick intro to Color Physics

Isaac Newton: by refracting rays of light through a prism, he discovered color was a function of light, and that all color is contained in sunlight.

Isaac Newton

In 1672 Isaac Newton executed a series of experiments where he refracted (bent) rays of sunlight through a prism. In these experiments, he discovered that all color is a function of light, and that sunlight contains the 6 colors we are familiar with in the rainbow.

The colors of the rainbow are known as the VISIBLE SPECTRUM OF LIGHT, aka the Spectral Hues

These spectral hues are the basic colors we work with.

The electromagnetic spectrum of visible light also contains other wavelengths of energy imperceptible to the human eye

There are three color systems:

• Additive color, discovered by Isaac Newton• Subtractive color, which uses pigments

(paints), and which produces black when all colors are mixed together. So named because light is removed when colors are mixed.

• Process color, the color system used for photos and printing.

Subtractive Color

Primary Colors- ‘base colors’ we use to make other colors.

• RED• BLUE• YellowThese are the primary colors in the subtractive (pigment

based) color system. Mixing two primary colors produces Secondary colors: Orange, Green, Purple.

Primary colors cannot be mixed from other colors.

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The color system Newton discovered is the Additive, or Light-based color system, where colors mix to create white light. It is known as the additive system, because light is increased, or added, when the colors are mixed.

In the Additive System Blue, Green, and Red are the Primary Colors.

the Process (printing and photo) system

In the Process system, cyan, magenta, and yellow are the primary colors.

HUE• The color quality identified by a color’s name. This is

determined by a color’s light wavelength. • Any of the colors below fall under the general hue “red”.

• Blue and green are hues, light green is not a hue, it is a description of a specific green.

Saturation• The purity or intensity of a color, how ‘true’ it is. • When a color is at its purest, it is highest in

saturation• A color with no white, black, gray, etc added is said

to be at Full Saturation, or Highly Saturated.• Saturation becomes lower, the more it is mixed•

Stuart Davis

Example of a painting using mostly saturated Primary Colors

• Colors that have been mixed or blended with other colors are Low(er) in Saturation.

Vermeer

Primary colors, but lower in saturation

• Saturated Colors are known as ‘Chromatic Hues’

• Colors that are desaturated until they resemble brown or gray are known as NEUTRALS.

• Brown, black, gray, tan, beige---all neutral colors

VALUE refers to how light or dark a surface is.

Julie Heffernan

A value scale is a representation of progressive value transitions, from pure white to pure black.

Achromatic value is value absent of color, purely mixtures black and white

A middle value, found in the center of the scale is called a MID-TONE.

Chromatic and Achromatic Value• Achromatic neutrals, grays that are mixes of

black and white.

• Chromatic neutrals are neutrals mixed from Chromatic Hues colors to create grays or browns.

Achromatic

Chromatic

Colors have inherent values. In these Chromatic Value Scales the step at Full Saturation (full purity) arrives at different point in each scale. In yellow, it is step 4, red: step 7, blue: step 9. This is because pure blue is inherently darker than pure yellow.

Value: the amount of light or dark in colors

To change a color’s saturation, as well as it’s value:

TINTS: Color +White•Shades: Color + Black•Tones: Color + Gray

For class Thursday:

• Bring all necessary supplies• Read ‘The Case of the Color-blind Painter’ and

write a one-page response• Bring one example of great use of color found

in art, design, film, video games, fashion, etc. either print it out (in color) and attach it to your sketchbook, or bring it on a flashdrive.