Most Expressive Element
Today we will define and understand how to
manage the properties of color.
COLOR HAS THREE
DIMENSIONS OR QUALITIES:
•  Hue
•  Value
•  Intensity
HUE
The name given to spectral color
that comes from reflected light.
RED
YELLOW
VIOLET
VALUE
The lightness or darkness
of a color
SHADE
Made by adding black to a
color so that it is darker.
+
HUE
=
BLACK
SHADE
TINT
Made by adding white to a
color so that it is lighter.
=
+
HUE
WHITE
TINT
INTENSITY
The brightness or dullness
of a color.
FUSCHIA
OLIVE
- HIGH INTENSITY
- LOW INTENSITY
NEUTRALS
(NOT REALLY HUES)
White
No color
Black
All colors
Gray
BROWN
White + Black
Can be used with most colors
COLOR WHEEL
A GUIDE TO STUDY
HOW TO CHOOSE AND
COMBINE COLORS
PRIMARY HUES
RED
YELLOW
BLUE
• Pure and basic
• Cannot be made from any other colors
• All other colors are made from these
plus black & white
• Equal distance from each other on color wheel
SECONDARY COLORS
• Made by mixing equal amounts of 2 primary colors
• Found halfway between the primary hues on the wheel
+
=
ORANGE
+
=
GREEN
+
=
VIOLET
INTERMEDIATE (TERTIARY)
HUES
Made by mixing equal amounts of adjoining primary
and secondary colors.
The neutral color of Brown is achieved by
mixing Complementary Colors together
=Browns
Ariel Perspective occurs when layers of the
atmosphere “blue from the moisture in the air” makes objects
appear bluer and grayer as they move back into the distance.
Yellow-green
Green
Blue-green
THE COLOR WHEEL CAN BE
DIVIDED INTO
WARM
COLORS
COOL
COLORS
WARM COLORS
v Appear hot like the sun or like fire
v Give feelings of activity or cheerfulness
v Appear to advance-they make body look larger
v Can give a nervous impression if overdone
COOL COLORS
v Remind us of water or sky
v Give feelings of quietness or
restfulness
v Appear to recede and make
body look smaller
v Can be depressing if overdone
MONOCHROMATIC COLOR
SCHEME
This is a one-color plan that uses different
tints, shades and intensities of the color
Violet
ANALOGOUS COLOR SCHEME
This color scheme uses related, or neighboring colors on the
color wheel with varying values and intensities of the colors.
Complementary Color Scheme
This color scheme uses opposite hues on the color wheel.
These colors are across from each other on the wheel
and have great contrast.
SPLIT-COMPLEMENTARY
COLOR SCHEME
This color scheme uses three colors, one color with the two
colors on each side of its complement.
orange
TRIAD COLOR SCHEME
This color scheme combines three colors equal distance on
the color wheel and has a great deal of contrast.
ACCENTED NEUTRAL COLOR
SCHEME
This color scheme combines white, black, gray or sometimes
beige with a bright color accent.
All colors are beautiful, depending on
personal taste.
If not used wisely or combined well, color
can send the wrong emotional message.
Harmony results when hues, values and
intensities are combined in a pleasing way.
Abstract
Expressionism
•  Using arbitrary color to
express emotion
•  Abstracting from reality
in drawing accuracy
and form to exaggerate
content
•  Selecting a color theme
“scheme” that best
works with your images
Color Theme:
Simple Color Wheel
Color Theme:
Double Complementary
Cubism
•  Using multiple views
•  Abstracting from
reality to exaggerate
content
•  Using arbitrary color
and shading for
greater emotion
It is time to add color. Select a color theme that works
best with your image…
WARM
COOL
SPLIT COMPLEMENTARY
COLORS