Color Theory Notes

COLOR THEORY NOTES

Pigment generated colors come from RYB

Light generated colors come from RGB

The computer monitor can make bright colors than can be printed

SUBTRACTIVE COLOR       ADDITIVE COLOR

Pigment generated model  Light generated model

Subtracts colors when combined  Adds colors when combined

Dark Colors recede, Light Colors advance.

Printers use CMYK, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black to make printed colors.

MONOCHROME

Tints shades and hues of the same color.

GRAYSCALE

Black and white only.

WEB SAFE RGB

Hexadecimal Compatible, multiple colors of RGB.

COLOR MODIFICATION

TINT

A pure color with added white

SHADES

A pure color with added black

TONE

A pure color with added gray

COLOR HARMONY

COMPLEMENTARY COLORS

Complementary, opposite, split complementary, analogous, triad, tetradic, quadrilateral.

COLOR PALETTES  

Can invoke mood, location, and emotion.

COLOR INTENSITY

Color intensity changes based on the surrounding colors.

COLOR ASSOCIATION

I.E. Flowers = Pink universally. White doesn’t equal clean and sterile in China, it means death.

Color increases brand recognition but up to 80%

Color affects appetite, not many people think blue is a food color, blue equals no appetite.

Pink is a tranquilizing color that drains energy, used in prisons, locker rooms, etc.