Red districts sell sex and pornography in every European culture.
Understanding Colors— Part II: Color Theory
Color is a powerful visual element influencing our perceptions, emotions, and experiences. Whether you’re an artist, designer, or simply interested in the world of colors, understanding color theory is essential. In this story, you will understand the fundamentals of color theory, how colors interact, and how to use them effectively. You can find my previous article on important aspects of colors in design here.
Let’s start with Color Wheel:
A color wheel is a visual tool that organizes colors in a circular format, allowing a better understanding of color relationships and harmonies. It is a valuable resource for artists, designers, and anyone working with colors. The color wheel consists of primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, all positioned in a specific arrangement.
- Primary Colors:
The primary colors are the foundation of the color wheel. These colors cannot be created by mixing other colors. In traditional color theory, the primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. These colors are positioned equidistantly from each other on the color wheel, forming a triangle. - Secondary Colors:
Secondary colors are created by mixing equal parts of two primary colors. The three secondary colors are orange (a mix of red and yellow), green (a mix of yellow and blue), and purple (a mix of blue and red). Secondary colors are located between the primary colors on the color wheel. - Tertiary Colors:
Tertiary colors are the result of mixing a primary color with an adjacent secondary color. These colors are positioned between the primary and secondary colors on the color wheel. For example, mixing red (primary) with orange (secondary) creates a reddish-orange color. Similarly, mixing blue (primary) with green (secondary) creates a bluish-green color. Tertiary colors provide a wider range of shades and tones.
The color wheel serves several purposes:
- Color Relationships: The color wheel visually represents the relationships between colors. Colors that are located close to each other on the color wheel, such as analogous colors, share similar hues and create a harmonious effect. Colors located opposite each other on the color wheel, known as complementary colors, provide a high-contrast and vibrant combination. The color wheel allows artists and designers to easily identify and utilize these relationships to create visually pleasing compositions.
- Color Harmonies: Color harmonies refer to combinations of colors that work together aesthetically and create a pleasing visual effect. A color wheel is a valuable tool for selecting and creating color harmonies. Understanding different color harmonies can greatly enhance the impact and effectiveness of a design or artwork. Here are some common color harmonies:
Complementary Harmony
Complementary harmony is based on the use of colors that are positioned directly opposite each other on the color wheel. Complementary color pairs include red and green, blue and orange, and yellow and purple. When placed side by side, complementary colors create a strong contrast and intensify each other. This harmony is often used to create vibrant and eye-catching compositions.
Example: Using a red object against a green backdrop.
Analogous Harmony
Analogous colors are located adjacent to each other on the color wheel. These colors share similar undertones and create a sense of cohesion and work well when a subtle color transition is desired. Analogous color schemes are soothing and harmonious, making them ideal for creating a unified and calming visual experience.
Example: Combining shades of blue, green, and turquoise for a serene and peaceful design.
Triadic Harmony
Triadic harmony involves using three colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel, forming an equilateral triangle. This creates a balanced and vibrant composition. Triadic color schemes are visually striking and provide a wide range of color options.
Example: Combining yellow, blue, and red in equal proportions to create a vibrant and energetic composition.
Monochromatic Harmony
Monochromatic harmonies utilize different shades, tints, and tones (explained later in this article) of a single color. This harmony creates a visually pleasing and unified composition. By adjusting the lightness and darkness, as well as the saturation of a single color, a wide range of variations can be achieved.
Example: Using various shades of blue, from light sky blue to deep navy blue, to create a monochromatic design with depth and sophistication.
Split-Complementary Harmony
Split-complementary harmony is a variation of complementary harmony. It involves selecting one color as the main hue and then using the two colors adjacent to its complementary color. This harmony maintains the vibrancy of complementary colors while offering a bit more variety and subtlety.
Example: Pairing a dominant yellow with accents of purple.
Tetradic Harmony
Tetradic harmony, also known as double-complementary or rectangular harmony, involves using two sets of complementary colors. This harmony offers a high level of contrast and allows for a wide range of color combinations. It can be challenging to balance, so it is often advisable to use one color as the dominant hue and the others as accents.
Example: Combining yellow, purple, blue, and red-orange for a bold and dynamic color scheme.
When working with color harmonies, it’s essential to consider factors such as the desired mood, the context of the design, and the target audience. Experimenting with different color combinations and harmonies can lead to exciting and visually captivating results. Additionally, understanding color psychology can further enhance the impact of color harmonies by considering the emotions and associations that different colors evoke in viewers.
3. Color Mixing Guidance: Now that you understand various color combinations and the position of colors on the wheel, you can easily mix and adjust hues, shades, and tones to achieve desired colors.
Hues, shades, tints, and tones are terms used to describe specific color variations. Each term represents a different way in which a color can be altered or adjusted. Let’s explore each of these concepts:
Hue
Hue refers to the purest form of a color. It represents the color’s basic identity on the color spectrum, such as red, blue, or green. Hues are the foundation of the color wheel and cannot be created by mixing other colors. They are vibrant and do not contain any white, black, or gray.
Shade
A shade is created by adding black to a hue. This darkens the color and reduces its lightness. Shades appear deeper and have a richer, more intense appearance than the original hue. The amount of black added determines the depth of the shade. Shades are often used to add depth, contrast, and drama to a color palette.
Tint
A tint is created by adding white to a hue. This lightens the color and increases its brightness. Tints have a softer, pastel-like appearance compared to the original hue. The amount of white added determines the lightness of the tint. Tints are often associated with a lighter and more delicate feel and can create a sense of airiness and softness.
Tone
A tone is created by adding gray to a hue. This desaturates the color, making it less vibrant and intense. The amount of gray added determines the level of desaturation. Tones have a more muted and subdued appearance compared to the original hue. They can create a sense of sophistication, subtlety, and neutrality.
These variations allow for a wide range of possibilities when working with colors. You can use shades, tints, and tones to create depth, contrast, and balance within your designs. Understanding how these variations affect the overall color palette can greatly enhance the visual impact and aesthetics of a design.
You can further adjust these variations by altering the saturation of a color. Saturation refers to the intensity or purity of a color. Colors with high saturation appear vibrant and vivid, while colors with low saturation appear more muted and subtle. By adjusting saturation in combination with the variations mentioned above, you can have even more control over the appearance and impact of your color choices.
Source: Bakhshi, Saeideh & Gilbert, Eric. (2015). Red, Purple and Pink: The Colors of Diffusion on Pinterest. PLOS ONE. 10. e0117148. 10.1371/journal.pone.0117148.
Color Mixing Model
The color mixing model is a fundamental concept in color theory that explains how different colors can be combined to create new ones. There are two primary color mixing models: additive and subtractive.
Additive Color Mixing
The additive color mixing model is primarily used in situations where light is the source of color, such as computer screens, televisions, and stage lighting. It involves combining three primary colors: red, green, and blue (RGB) in varying intensities to produce a wide range of colors.
In the additive model, when all three primary colors are combined at their maximum intensity, they create white light. This is because each primary color contributes to the overall brightness or intensity of the light. By adjusting the intensity of each primary color, different colors can be achieved. For example, mixing red and green light at equal intensities produces yellow light, while combining red and blue light creates magenta.
Additive color mixing is based on the principle of light superposition, where the combined intensities of the primary colors create the perception of different hues. This model is commonly used in digital displays and lighting systems.
Subtractive Color Mixing
The subtractive color mixing model is based on the mixing of pigments and is commonly used in traditional painting, printing, and color mixing for physical materials. The primary colors in the subtractive model are cyan, magenta, and yellow (CMY).
When using pigments, subtractive color mixing works by absorbing certain wavelengths of light and reflecting others. All three primary colors once combined in equal amounts, they absorb or subtract all wavelengths of light, resulting in the absence of reflected light and the perception of black. This is why combining equal amounts of cyan, magenta, and yellow pigments results in a dark color, often referred to as “CMYK black” in the printing industry.
Understanding the color mixing models provides a solid foundation for working with colors, whether in digital design, painting, or print production. It allows artists, designers, and professionals to create and manipulate colors effectively, resulting in visually appealing compositions and accurate color reproduction.
Color Context
Color context refers to how colors can appear differently depending on the colors surrounding them. The perception of color can be influenced by its neighboring colors, resulting in changes in brightness, saturation, and even the perceived hue. Understanding color context is crucial when working with colors, as it allows for more accurate color representation and effective color combinations. Here are some important aspects to consider when it comes to color context:
Contrast and Brightness
Color context can significantly affect the perceived contrast and brightness of a color. The same color can appear brighter or duller depending on the colors surrounding it. For example, a light gray color placed against a dark black background will appear brighter compared to the same gray color placed against a white background. The contrast between colors can create a visual impact and draw attention to specific elements within a design.
Saturation and Intensity
Color context also affects the perceived saturation or intensity of a color. When a highly saturated color is placed next to a desaturated or neutral color, the highly saturated color will appear more vibrant and intense. Conversely, when the same highly saturated color is placed next to another equally saturated color, it may appear less intense in comparison. Manipulating color saturation to its context can help in creating focal points and emphasizing specific elements within a composition.
Color Temperature
Color context can influence the perceived temperature of a color. Warm colors (such as red, orange, and yellow) tend to advance and appear more prominent when placed against cool colors (such as blue and green). Similarly, cool colors appear more dominant when placed against warm colors. This interaction between warm and cool colors can be used strategically to create visual depth, focal points, and a sense of balance within a design.
Cultural and Symbolic Associations
Color context can also be influenced by cultural and symbolic associations carrying different meanings and interpretations. For example, in Western cultures, the color white is frequently linked with notions of purity and innocence whereas in Eastern cultures, white is often associated with death. Considering the cultural and symbolic connotations of colors is essential when communicating effectively and respecting diverse audiences.
Takeaway
When working with colors, it is advisable to test the color combinations in the intended context. Viewing colors on different backgrounds or alongside other design elements can provide insights into how the colors interact and whether they convey the desired message or evoke the intended emotions. Taking color context into account helps ensure accurate color representation and enhances the overall effectiveness of the design or artwork.
By developing a sense of color awareness, you can create visually captivating and meaningful designs that effectively communicate with audiences and evoke the desired responses.
Next, we will discuss how to select colors for your design (60–30–10 Rule).
Mixing Analogous Paint Colors
In our paint mixture example above, take a look at the top two rows. You’ll notice how similar all the colors look. This can be a wonderful asset at times because, as you can see, nothing ever clashes . However, as mentioned before, the lack of variety can get a bit monotonous.
First of all, let me point out something important about my color choices for this particular swatch test.
You can see I’ve actually mixed only the three colors listed below. However, if I selected this Color Scheme for a project, it would appear like Purple is the fourth main colors.
Red/Purple: Quinacridone Magenta
Blue / Purple: Ultramarine
Blue: Cerulean Blue
In this case, notice the balanced Purples in the middle of the first and second rows. That’s because a more harmonized Purple comes as a result of blending instead of using another pigment color. Therefore, keep in mind you don’t always need to use every tube of paint color to create a wide range of Analogous Colors.
This is a perfect example of how pre-testing your pigments can save you time and effort while painting.
Creating Variety with Analogous Colors
Now that you’ve looked at how Analogous Colors automatically harmonize, let’s look at how to keep them from being boring.
Begin by looking closely at the bottom row of paint mixtures above. These samples relate directly to the ones above in the second row.
In this case I’ve created several Tints and Tones by mixing in various amounts of White or Gray. You could also add more Black to any of the colors in the first two rows to create intense darks. Although there are only a few blends here, you could literally mix up an endless number of variations from super light to super dark.
As mentioned in another post, the easiest and most Neutral Gray is a mixture of White with Black in a range of values. Remember, Neutral Gray doesn’t change the underlying Hue, it just reduces the intensity.
Alternatively, if you want to experiment, you can try other pre-mixed Gray pigments . However, some may alter your colors in unexpected ways. Therefore, if you want all the Tones within one artwork to be in harmony, use the same Gray throughout.
Another thing to notice about all three rows, especially the bottom row, is the color temperature. Compared to the warm colors on the left side, the cool colors on the right look quite refreshing. Make the most of these differences to add variety of temperature, intensity and values.
Painting Analogous Colors From a Photograph
The photograph of the landscape above, is stunningly gorgeous. It just makes you stop in your tracks to look.
Of course one of the elements that make this stand out is composition. Composition is a huge topic which we can delve into at another time.
But there are a few other things that make this photograph particularly special.
First, there is a limited range of the Analogous Colors of Green, Blue/Green, Blue, and
Blue/ Purple. This is nearly the same Color Scheme as my mixture sample above. In this case though, there is no Red/Purple to warm things up. Therefore the colors stay cool and serene.
Second, as explained above, variety has been achieved by contrasting the light and dark values. Of course, this is a photo, but if you were to paint this scene, you’d adjust the values with White, Gray or a little Black mixed into the color.
Third, the colors have been given even more variety by making some intense and some subdued. This is where mixing colors and adding Gray Tones come into the picture. For example, the Blue at the lower center looks all the more beautiful next to the subdued Blue/Green in the lake shadows.
How Blue Affects Vision
Blue is sharply refracted by the eyes. This causes the lens to flatten and to push the blue image back. We perceive that blue areas are receding and smaller.
The same refraction causes visual fog if used excessively in interior spaces
Green is no longer just a color. It’s now the symbol of ecology and a verb.
Since the beginning of time, green has signified growth, rebirth, and fertility. In pagan times, there was the “Green Man” – a symbol of fertility. In Muslim countries, it is a holy color and in Ireland, a lucky color. It was the color of the heavens in the Ming Dynasty.
Today’s greens can be found in a wide range of objects: pea soup, delicate celadon glazes, sleazy shag carpet, sickly bathroom walls, emeralds, wasabi, and sage. The English language reflects some strange attributes: Would you rather be green with envy, green behind the ears, or green around the gills? (Idiomatic American English for extremely envious, immature or nauseated.)
Global Meanings of Green
- Green is universally associated with nature.
- Green symbolizes ecology and the environment.
- Traffic lights are green all over the world.
Unique Meanings of Green in Different Cultures
- In China, Green may symbolize infidelity. A green hat symbolizes that a man’s wife is cheating on him.
- In Israel, green may symbolize bad news.
- In Japan, the words for blue and green (“ao”) are the same.
- In Spain, racy jokes are “green.”
Luck or Bad Luck?
- Green is a lucky culture in most Western cultures. A green shamrock symbolizes this.
- You won’t find many green cars at racetracks because they are considered unlucky.
- Circus and traveling showmen in Australia may consider green to be bad luck.
- An old English rhyme about wedding colors: “Married in green, Ashamed to be seen.”
Designing with Green
There are more shades of green than that of any other color. Greens range from yellow-greens, such as lime and avocado greens, to those with a blue tinge (such as emerald). Aqua or turquoise are colors that are typically half green and half blue.
How Green Affects Vision
Color Blindness
Approximately 5% – 8% of men and 0.5% of women of the world are born colorblind. People who are protans (red weak) and deutans (green weak) comprise 99% of this group.
Some European countries have outlined certain traffic light colors so that it is clear which is green and which is red, by the color that has a rectangle around it. Some states in the U.S. have placed diagonal lines through green traffic lights as an aid for the colorblind.
Tidbits – Points to Ponder
Feng Shui claims that green eases absent-mindedness, nervousness and rudeness.
RED
Red is the color of fire and blood, so it is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love.
Red is a very emotionally intense color. It enhances human metabolism, increases respiration rate, and raises blood pressure. It has very high visibility, which is why stop signs, stoplights, and fire equipment are usually painted red. In heraldry, red is used to indicate courage. It is a color found in many national flags.
Red brings text and images to the foreground. Use it as an accent color to stimulate people to make quick decisions; it is a perfect color for ‘Buy Now’ or ‘Click Here’ buttons on Internet banners and websites. In advertising, red is often used to evoke erotic feelings (red lips, red nails, red-light districts, ‘Lady in Red’, etc). Red is widely used to indicate danger (high voltage signs, traffic lights). This color is also commonly associated with energy, so you can use it when promoting energy drinks, games, cars, items related to sports and high physical activity.
Light red represents joy, sexuality, passion, sensitivity, and love.
Pink signifies romance, love, and friendship. It denotes feminine qualities and passiveness.
Dark red is associated with vigor, willpower, rage, anger, leadership, courage, longing, malice, and wrath.
Brown suggests stability and denotes masculine qualities.
Reddish-brown is associated with harvest and fall.
ORANGE
Orange combines the energy of red and the happiness of yellow. It is associated with joy, sunshine, and the tropics. Orange represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation.
To the human eye, orange is a very hot color, so it gives the sensation of heat. Nevertheless, orange is not as aggressive as red. Orange increases oxygen supply to the brain, produces an invigorating effect, and stimulates mental activity. It is highly accepted among young people. As a citrus color, orange is associated with healthy food and stimulates appetite. Orange is the color of fall and harvest. In heraldry, orange is symbolic of strength and endurance.
Orange has very high visibility, so you can use it to catch attention and highlight the most important elements of your design. Orange is very effective for promoting food products and toys.
Dark orange can mean deceit and distrust.
Red-orange corresponds to desire, sexual passion, pleasure, domination, aggression, and thirst for action.
Gold evokes the feeling of prestige. The meaning of gold is illumination, wisdom, and wealth. Gold often symbolizes high quality.
YELLOW
Yellow is the color of sunshine. It’s associated with joy, happiness, intellect, and energy.
Yellow produces a warming effect, arouses cheerfulness, stimulates mental activity, and generates muscle energy. Yellow is often associated with food. Bright, pure yellow is an attention getter, which is the reason taxicabs are painted this color. When overused, yellow may have a disturbing effect; it is known that babies cry more in yellow rooms. Yellow is seen before other colors when placed against black; this combination is often used to issue a warning. In heraldry, yellow indicates honor and loyalty. Later the meaning of yellow was connected with cowardice.
Use yellow to evoke pleasant, cheerful feelings. You can choose yellow to promote children’s products and items related to leisure. Yellow is very effective for attracting attention, so use it to highlight the most important elements of your design. Men usually perceive yellow as a very lighthearted, ‘childish’ color, so it is not recommended to use yellow when selling prestigious, expensive products to men – nobody will buy a yellow business suit or a yellow Mercedes. Yellow is an unstable and spontaneous color, so avoid using yellow if you want to suggest stability and safety. Light yellow tends to disappear into white, so it usually needs a dark color to highlight it. Shades of yellow are visually unappealing because they loose cheerfulness and become dingy.
Dull (dingy) yellow represents caution, decay, sickness, and jealousy.
Light yellow is associated with intellect, freshness, and joy.
GREEN
Green is the color of nature. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility. Green has strong emotional correspondence with safety. Dark green is also commonly associated with money.
Green has great healing power. It is the most restful color for the human eye; it can improve vision. Green suggests stability and endurance. Sometimes green denotes lack of experience; for example, a ‘greenhorn’ is a novice. In heraldry, green indicates growth and hope. Green, as opposed to red, means safety; it is the color of free passage in road traffic.
Use green to indicate safety when advertising drugs and medical products. Green is directly related to nature, so you can use it to promote ‘green’ products. Dull, darker green is commonly associated with money, the financial world, banking, and Wall Street.
Dark green is associated with ambition, greed, and jealousy.
Yellow-green can indicate sickness, cowardice, discord, and jealousy.
Aqua is associated with emotional healing and protection.
Olive green is the traditional color of peace.
BLUE
Blue is the color of the sky and sea. It is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven.
Blue is considered beneficial to the mind and body. It slows human metabolism and produces a calming effect. Blue is strongly associated with tranquility and calmness. In heraldry, blue is used to symbolize piety and sincerity.
You can use blue to promote products and services related to cleanliness (water purification filters, cleaning liquids, vodka), air and sky (airlines, airports, air conditioners), water and sea (sea voyages, mineral water). As opposed to emotionally warm colors like red, orange, and yellow; blue is linked to consciousness and intellect. Use blue to suggest precision when promoting high-tech products.
Blue is a masculine color; according to studies, it is highly accepted among males. Dark blue is associated with depth, expertise, and stability; it is a preferred color for corporate America.
Avoid using blue when promoting food and cooking, because blue suppresses appetite. When used together with warm colors like yellow or red, blue can create high-impact, vibrant designs; for example, blue-yellow-red is a perfect color scheme for a superhero.
Light blue is associated with health, healing, tranquility, understanding, and softness.
Dark blue represents knowledge, power, integrity, and seriousness.
PURPLE
Purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. Purple is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It conveys wealth and extravagance. Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic.
According to surveys, almost 75 percent of pre-adolescent children prefer purple to all other colors. Purple is a very rare color in nature; some people consider it to be artificial.
Light purple is a good choice for a feminine design. You can use bright purple when promoting children’s products.
Light purple evokes romantic and nostalgic feelings.
Dark purple evokes gloom and sad feelings. It can cause frustration.
WHITE
White is associated with light, goodness, innocence, purity, and virginity. It is considered to be the color of perfection.
White means safety, purity, and cleanliness. As opposed to black, white usually has a positive connotation. White can represent a successful beginning. In heraldry, white depicts faith and purity.
In advertising, white is associated with coolness and cleanliness because it’s the color of snow. You can use white to suggest simplicity in high-tech products. White is an appropriate color for charitable organizations; angels are usually imagined wearing white clothes. White is associated with hospitals, doctors, and sterility, so you can use white to suggest safety when promoting medical products. White is often associated with low weight, low-fat food, and dairy products.
BLACK
Black is associated with power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery.
Black is a mysterious color associated with fear and the unknown (black holes). It usually has a negative connotation (blacklist, black humor, ‘black death’). Black denotes strength and authority; it is considered to be a very formal, elegant, and prestigious color (black tie, black Mercedes). In heraldry, black is the symbol of grief.
Black gives the feeling of perspective and depth, but a black background diminishes readability. A black suit or dress can make you look thinner. When designing for a gallery of art or photography, you can use a black or gray background to make the other colors stand out. Black contrasts well with bright colors. Combined with red or orange – other very powerful colors – black gives a very aggressive color scheme.
