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ELEMENT OF ART: COLOR

COLOR:

The element of art that is produced when light is reflected back to the eye after striking an object.

HUE:

This simply means the "name" we give a color.  Ex: Red, Yellow, Blue

Lovebirds

COLOR WHEEL:

Color-Theory-Graphics-WHEEL34.jpg

An illustrative representation of color hues in a circle to show the relationships between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.

Primary Colors: 

The foundation of the color wheel.  All colors are derived from these colors and they cannot be mixed from other colors.  

RED, YELLOW, BLUE

Color-Theory-Graphics-PRIMARY1.jpg
Red Lights
Girl on Yellow
Blue Colored Smoke in Alley

Secondary Colors: 

These colors are made by mixing equal parts of the primary colors together. 

ORANGE, GREEN, VIOLET

Red + Blue = Violet
Red + Yellow = Orange
Blue + Yellow = Green

Color-Theory-Graphics-SECONDARY1.jpg
Carrots
Cabbage Leaves
Purple Statice

Tertiary Colors: 

These colors are made by mixing equal parts of a primary color and secondary color together.

Blue (primary) + Violet (secondary) = Blue-Violet
Red (primary) + Violet (secondary) = Red-Violet
Red (primary) + Orange (secondary) = Red-Orange
Yellow (primary) + Orange (secondary) = Yellow-Orange
Yellow (primary) + Green (secondary) = Yellow-Green
Blue (primary) + Green (secondary) = Blue-Green

Color-Theory-Graphics-TERTIARY1.jpg

Analogous Colors:

Colors that are side by side on the color wheel

Color-Theory-Graphics-ANALOGOUS1.jpg

Complimentary Colors:

Colors that are opposite from one another on the color wheel.

RED-GREEN

ORANGE-BLUE

YELLOW-VIOLET

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Monochromatic Colors:

The tints (white + hue) and shades (black + hue) of one hue.

Pink= White + Red

Red

Maroon= Black + Red

mono.jpg

Warm Colors:

Colors that evoke a sense of "warmth."

Ex: Sun, Fire, Lava

RED, ORANGE, YELLOW

Peaks Above Clouds

Cool Colors:

Colors that evoke a sense of "cool."

Ex: Water, Snow 

GREEN, BLUE, VIOLET

Ski Lift
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