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Color Theory and the Color Wheel

Color combinations, visual impact and the various color wheels are all components of color theory. Principals of basic color theory can be found in the personal writings of Leonardo Da Vinci and some of the earliest color wheels were developed by Sir Isaac Newton. The practical guidance offered about the mixing of colors to generate a larger palette is also included in the principals of color theory. The attributes that help define individual colors and variations are hue, lightness and saturation. When modified, each of these will alter the visual impact of the color. In modern times, contemporary color theory has been expanded to include monochromatic light to encompass the color ranges of digital media and printer systems.

The initial color wheel, known as the primary, is based on the three primary colors of red, blue and yellow. These are the colors that are not a result of mixed hues, but are the hues that when blended in various saturations will create additional colors. When considering traditional aspects of color theory, all other colors are generated by combining various percentages of these hues. Colors made by blending the primary hues are labeled as secondary colors. For example, a mixture of blue and yellow yields green, red and blue yields purple, red and yellow yields orange. Therefore, the secondary color wheel consists of the primary colors or red, blue and yellow, and their blended results of green, orange and purple. Tertiary colors are those that result from blends of colors on the secondary color wheel.

This basic approach to the color wheel and the aspects of color theory from ages past has evolved because when tested against electronic media, the theory collapses. In the nineteenth century, primary colors were redefined as red, green and a blue-violet.  This primary coloring system is known better as its acronym, RGB. This primary color set is thought to be perception-based and more accurately depicts the visualization of color palettes by the human eye. Color mixing in the modern age is based partly upon the RGB model.

Tints, shading, harmonization and transparency are all aspects of consideration when developing a color palette, whether for a website, the décor of a home or office, printed media or fabrics. The majority of commercial print shops today utilize an inked printing system based on the CMYK color system that enables many thousands of shades based on various mixtures and saturations of cyan, magenta and yellow and a key of black.  Creating harmony with color means enabling results where visual impressions are pleasing to the human eye.

Harmonious palettes are often utilized to create calming, welcoming spaces, whereas disharmony can create agitation, or make people “edgy”. An example of this is the room decorating themes used by some casino-hotels in the 1980’s to discourage guests from remaining in their rooms with the hopes of steering them instead into the casino.  Experts in color theory understand the human affects generated by color palettes.

Artist Caroline Jasper has a unique perspective on color, especially color mixing.  Visit now to view Caroline’s exquisite seascape paintings or register for one of her helpful oil painting workshops.

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