Color Theory

Color
Theory

​the study of how colors interact and affect people's emotions and perceptions.

In the 1660s, English physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton began a series of experiments with sunlight and prisms. He demonstrated that clear white light was composed of seven visible colors.

By scientifically establishing our visible spectrum (the colors we see in a rainbow), Newton laid the path for others to experiment with color in a scientific manner. His work led to breakthroughs in optics, physics, chemistry, perception, and the study of color in nature.

Newtons Rainbow

The visible spectrum is a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be seen by the human eye. The cells in our eyes called cones are sensitive to the wavelengths found in the visible spectrum. They allow us to see the all the colors of the rainbow.

Newton identified the visible spectrum

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) was a German poet, playwright, novelist, scientist, statesman, theatre director, critic, and amateur artist.

Goethe challenged Newton’s views on color, arguing that color was not just a scientific measurement, but a subjective experience perceived differently by each viewer. His contribution was the first study on the physiological effects of color. Goethe’s views were widely adopted by artists.

"Colour are light’s suffering and joy."

–Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Artists use different colors in logos, movies, character design, and more to convey certain emotions, ideas and feelings to their viewers

We still associate colors with certain emotions today

Multiple Choice

If you wanted to show Joy in your art what is the best color to use?

• Blue

• Green

• Yellow

• Red

The Color Wheel features all of the colors in the visible spectrum (ROYGBIV) . Each color has a specific place on the Color Wheel and a different relationship with other colors based on their location on the wheel.

You can see warm colors and cool colors are on different sides of our color wheel.

Using the Color Wheel

Triadic colors are three colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel, creating a vibrant color palette.

A tetradic color scheme is a color palette that uses four colors that are evenly spaced around a color wheel, typically in two complementary pairs. The colors form a rectangle within the color spectrum, and can be located close together or far apart.

Tetradic Color Combinations

Multiple Select

Red, Blue and Yellow are?

• Primary

• Secondary

• Complimentary

• Triadic

Multiple Choice

Red and Green are the colors we associate with Christmas and the Holiday Season. What is their relationship on the Color Wheel?

• Analogous

• Monochromatic

• Complimentary

• Triadic

By understanding and using the different color theory combinations while experimenting with color palates you can elevate your art to new heights