Colour Theories

The Colour Wheel

The color wheel or color circle is the basic tool for combining colors. The first circular color diagram was designed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666.

The color wheel is designed so that virtually any colors you pick from it will look good together. Over the years, many variations of the basic design have been made, but the most common version is a wheel of 12 colors based on the Artistic color model.

Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Colours

Primary Colours

• Red, Yellow and Blue
• Primary Colours are the three Colour that can't be mixed or created from any of the other colours
• All the other colours are created from these three colours

Secondary Colours

• Green, Orange and Purple
• Created from Mixing the primary colours

Tertiary Colours

• Yellow - Orange, Red - Orange, Red - Purple, Blue - Purple, Blue - Green and Yellow - Green 
• These colours are created from a mixture of Primary Colours and Secondary Colours

Colour Harmony

In visual experiences, harmony is something that is pleasing to the eye. It engages the viewer and it creates an inner sense of order, a balance in the visual experience.

Some Formulas For Colour Harmony

• Complementary Colour Scheme

Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel are considered to be complementary colors (example: Orange and Blue).

 

• Analogous Colour Scheme

Analogous color schemes use colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. They usually match well and create serene and comfortable designs.

• Achromatic Colour Scheme

Achromatic Colour Schemes use only black, white and grey, they posses no other hue.

• Monochromatic Colour Scheme

Monochromatic color schemes are derived from a single base hue.

Websites Used :

• http://www.tigercolor.com/color-lab/color-theory/color-theory-intro.htm
• http://www.colormatters.com/color-and-design/basic-color-theory
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monochromatic_color