Color theory is a quite a complicated subject, but even a basic knowledge of the principles involved can help you to use color more effectively in your work.
EditWhat is Color?
Color is everywhere, but what
is color? It is basically the way that our eyes and brains perceive visible light.
So-called "white light" is actually made up of many different colors - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. If you have ever used a
prism to create a rainbow, you have seen how white light is broken into its component parts. Each color has a different
wavelength. Red's is the longest, and violet's is the shortest.
When light comes into contact with any object, some of these colors are absorbed by the object while others are reflected. We perceive the reflected light as the color of the object. Grass (for example) absorbs all but the green light, which it reflects to our eyes. That is why grass appears to be green.
If an object absorbs all colors in the spectrum it appears to be black, whereas if it reflects all colors it looks white.
For a discussion of different color modes (CMYK and RGB) please see our
Color Modes wiki.
EditThe Color Wheel
You probably remember the color wheel from your grade school art classes:
The color wheel is a helpful tool in determining the relationships between different colors. It is made up of 12 different hues which are broken down into primary colors, secondary colors, and tertiary colors. But how does it work?
EditPrimary Colors:
The primary colors are
red,
yellow and
blue.
These colors can not be produced by combining other colors, but they can be mixed together to create all other colors. They can be combined with black or white to create shades (darker colors) and tints (lighter colors).
EditSecondary Colors:
The secondary colors are created by mixing the primary colors.
Red and yellow make
orange, yellow and blue make
green, and blue and red make
violet.
EditTertiary Colors:
Tertiary colors result from mixing a primary color with a secondary color. These colors include red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, and red-violet.
EditColor Schemes
With all of the different possibilities, how can you be sure to choose colors that work well together? Here are some different color scheme options:
Monochromatic: A monochromatic color scheme is made up of a single color along with its tints and shades; that is to say, the color and the shades that can be produced by adding only black or white.
Analogous: Analogous color schemes are made up of any three colors that are side by side on the color wheel. This may also be called "harmonious colors".
Complementary: Complimentary colors are found on opposite sides of the color wheel. The compliment of red is green, the compliment of yellow is purple, and the compliment of blue is orange.
Split Complementary Colors: To find the split complimentary colors for a hue, first find its compliment, and then use the color on each side of it.
Triad Colors: Triads are colors that are an equal distance apart on the color wheel. The primary colors and secondary colors are examples of triads.
EditResources
For more information about color, be sure to see our
Color Modes and
Color Meanings wikis.
For more information about choosing a color scheme, be sure to check out the
Color Resources posted in the Designer Today Forum!