Colour Theory, Classification and Colour Relationships for SS 1

Introduction to Colour and Colour Relationships

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain the meaning and importance of colours in an artwork;
2. identify the different classifications of colours;
3. demonstrate simple colour mixing and grouping.

Meaning and Importance of Colour in Art

Colour is a fundamental element of art that is perceived by the eye when light reflects off an object. It is a visual sensation that helps us distinguish between objects and understand our surroundings.

In art, colour is more than just a visual property; it is a powerful tool used by artists to express ideas, create mood, and evoke emotions. The way colours are used can significantly change how an artwork is perceived and understood.

The importance of colour in an artwork includes:

1. Creating Mood and Emotion: Colours can make an artwork feel happy, sad, calm, or exciting. For example, bright yellows and oranges often suggest joy, while deep blues and greys can evoke sadness or peace.
2. Adding Realism: Artists use colours to represent objects as they appear in real life, making the artwork look more believable.
3. Drawing Attention: Bright or contrasting colours can be used to highlight important parts of an artwork, guiding the viewer’s eye.
4. Creating Depth and Space: Warm colours tend to appear closer, while cool colours tend to recede, helping to create a sense of depth on a flat surface.
5. Symbolism: Colours often carry symbolic meanings in different cultures. For instance, white can symbolise purity, and red can symbolise love or danger.
6. Unity and Harmony: Carefully chosen colour combinations can bring different elements of an artwork together, creating a sense of balance and unity.

Classification of Colours by Composition

Colours can be classified based on how they are composed or mixed. This classification helps artists understand how to create a wide range of colours from a few basic ones.

Primary Colours

Primary colours are the fundamental colours from which all other colours can be mixed. They cannot be created by mixing any other colours.

The primary colours are:

1. Red
2. Yellow
3. Blue

Secondary Colours

Secondary colours are created by mixing two primary colours in equal proportions.

The secondary colours are:

1. Orange: Mixed from Red and Yellow.
2. Green: Mixed from Yellow and Blue.
3. Purple (or Violet): Mixed from Blue and Red.

Intermediate Colours

Intermediate colours, also known as tertiary colours in some systems, are created by mixing a primary colour with an adjacent secondary colour. The primary colour’s name always comes first when naming an intermediate colour.

The intermediate colours are:

1. Red-Orange
2. Yellow-Orange
3. Yellow-Green
4. Blue-Green
5. Blue-Purple (or Blue-Violet)
6. Red-Purple (or Red-Violet)

Tertiary Colours

Tertiary colours are created by mixing a primary colour with a secondary colour, or by mixing two secondary colours. These colours often result in more muted or complex hues compared to primary and secondary colours.

Examples of tertiary colours include:

1. Reddish brown
2. Smoky yellow
3. Slate blue

Classification of Colours by Effects

Colours can also be classified based on the psychological and visual effects they have on people. This helps artists to create specific moods or feelings in their work.

Warm Colours

Warm colours are those that remind us of heat, sunlight, or fire. They tend to advance or appear closer to the viewer, creating a sense of energy, excitement, or comfort.

Examples of warm colours include:

1. Red
2. Yellow
3. Orange

Cool Colours

Cool colours are those that remind us of water, sky, or nature. They tend to recede or appear further away from the viewer, creating a sense of calm, peace, or sometimes sadness.

Examples of cool colours include:

1. Blue
2. Green
3. Purple

The 12-Colour Wheel

The colour wheel is a circular chart that shows the relationships between colours. It is a fundamental tool for artists and designers to understand how colours interact and how to create harmonious colour schemes.

The 12-colour wheel is organised in a specific way:

1. Primary Colours: Red, yellow, and blue are spaced equally around the wheel.
2. Secondary Colours: Orange, green, and purple are placed between the primary colours they are mixed from.
3. Intermediate Colours: These six colours (red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-purple, red-purple) are placed between their parent primary and secondary colours.

Observe the 12-colour wheel below, which illustrates these relationships.

Colour Relationships: Colour Schemes

Colour schemes are combinations of colours that are considered aesthetically pleasing and harmonious. Artists use these schemes to create specific visual effects and moods in their artworks.

Common colour schemes include:

1. Monochromatic: This scheme uses different tints, shades, and tones of a single colour. It creates a subtle and unified look. For example, using light blue, medium blue, and dark blue.
2. Complementary Colours: These are two colours directly opposite each other on the colour wheel. They create a strong contrast and can make each other appear more vibrant. Examples include red and green, blue and orange, yellow and purple.
3. Triad: This scheme uses three colours that are equally spaced around the colour wheel, forming an equilateral triangle. Triadic schemes are vibrant and balanced. Examples include red, yellow, and blue; or orange, green, and purple.
4. Split Complementary: This scheme uses a base colour and the two colours adjacent to its complement. It offers a strong visual contrast but is less intense than a direct complementary scheme. For example, using blue with red-orange and yellow-orange.
5. Near Complementary: This scheme uses a colour and a colour very close to its direct complement, but not exactly opposite. It provides a softer contrast than a true complementary scheme.
6. Tetrad (or Rectangular): This scheme uses four colours arranged into two complementary pairs, forming a rectangle on the colour wheel. It offers rich and varied possibilities but can be challenging to balance.
7. Adjacent Colours (or Analogous): These are three or more colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel. They create a harmonious and comfortable feeling, as they share a common hue. For example, yellow, yellow-orange, and orange.
8. Diad: This refers to any two colours used together. While not a specific “scheme” in the same way as triad or complementary, it simply means a pair of colours.

The diagram below illustrates some of these colour schemes on a colour wheel.

Colour Manipulations

Artists can manipulate colours by adding white, black, or grey to change their lightness, darkness, or intensity. These manipulations create tints, shades, and tones.

1. Tints: A tint is created by adding white to a pure colour. Adding white makes the colour lighter and softer. For example, adding white to red creates pink.
2. Shades: A shade is created by adding black to a pure colour. Adding black makes the colour darker and deeper. For example, adding black to blue creates navy blue.
3. Tones: A tone is created by adding grey (a mix of black and white) to a pure colour. Adding grey makes the colour less vibrant or muted, giving it a more sophisticated or subtle appearance.

Observe the illustration below showing how tints, shades, and tones are created from a base colour.

Basic Colour Mixing Techniques

Mixing colours is a practical skill that allows artists to create a vast spectrum of hues from a limited set of paints. Understanding basic mixing techniques is essential for any visual artist.

Materials Required:

1. Paints (red, yellow, blue, white, black)
2. Paintbrushes
3. Palette (a flat surface for mixing paints)
4. Water containers (for cleaning brushes)
5. Drawing paper or canvas

Procedure for Mixing Colours:

The procedure involves the following steps:

1. Preparation: Set up your workspace. Ensure you have clean water in your containers and a clean palette. Squeeze small amounts of your primary colours (red, yellow, blue) onto separate sections of your palette.
2. Mixing Secondary Colours:
   1. Orange: Take a small amount of red paint and an equal amount of yellow paint. Mix them thoroughly on your palette using a clean brush until a consistent orange colour is formed.
   2. Green: Take a small amount of yellow paint and an equal amount of blue paint. Mix them thoroughly until a consistent green colour is formed.
   3. Purple: Take a small amount of blue paint and an equal amount of red paint. Mix them thoroughly until a consistent purple colour is formed.
3. Mixing Intermediate Colours:
   1. To create an intermediate colour like Red-Orange, mix red paint with the orange you just created. Adjust the proportions slightly to lean more towards red or orange as desired.
   2. Similarly, mix Yellow with Orange for Yellow-Orange, Yellow with Green for Yellow-Green, Blue with Green for Blue-Green, Blue with Purple for Blue-Purple, and Red with Purple for Red-Purple.
4. Creating Tints: To make a tint of any colour, take a small amount of that colour and gradually add tiny amounts of white paint, mixing well after each addition, until you achieve the desired lighter shade.
5. Creating Shades: To make a shade of any colour, take a small amount of that colour and gradually add tiny amounts of black paint, mixing well after each addition, until you achieve the desired darker shade.
6. Creating Tones: To make a tone of any colour, take a small amount of that colour and gradually add tiny amounts of grey paint (which can be mixed from black and white), mixing well until the colour becomes muted.
7. Cleaning Up: After mixing, clean your brushes thoroughly with water and wipe them dry. Clean your palette to remove any leftover paint.

Important Safety Tips:

1. Always use paints in a well-ventilated area.
2. Avoid getting paint into your eyes or mouth. Wash hands thoroughly after handling paints.
3. Keep your workspace tidy to prevent accidental spills.
4. Store paints and brushes properly after use.