Colour Theory PDF

COLOUR THEORY  Colour Theory & Compositions Sir Isaac Newton invented the colour wheel in 1666. Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Colours Warm & Cool Colours Warm Colours Cool Colours Colour Temperature Hue, shade, tint and tone Hue(pure colour) Shade(add black)...

COLOUR THEORY  Colour Theory & Compositions Sir Isaac Newton invented the colour wheel in 1666. Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Colours Warm & Cool Colours Warm Colours Cool Colours Colour Temperature Hue, shade, tint and tone Hue(pure colour) Shade(add black) Tint(add white) Tone(add grey) Tints, tones and shades are variations of hues, or colours, on the colour wheel. Hue, Value & Saturation Hue is the attribute of colour that distinguishes it as red, blue, green Hue or any other specific colour on the colour wheel Value represents a colour's relative lightness or darkness or grayscale Value Saturation/chroma/intensity, refers to the purity and vividness of a colour, Saturation ranging from fully saturated (vibrant) to desaturated (grayed). Colour Schemes Monochromatic Colour Schemes Analogous Colour Schemes Complementary Colour Schemes Split Complementary Colour Schemes Triadic Colour Schemes Tetradic Colour Schemes Square Colour Models RGB | CMYK RGB Model Additive colour mixing model—allows you to create colours by mixing red, green and blue light sources of various intensities. CMYK Model Any colour you see on a physical surface (paper, signage, packaging, etc.) uses the subtractive colour mixing model.  Colour Interactions Importance of Color Interaction in Art Color interaction is a fundamental component in art as it alters how a piece of work is perceived by the viewer. Artists and designers carefully select color combinations to convey specific moods and themes. Evokes Emotion Different color interactions can evoke different emotions. A bright yellow next to a dark blue might create a feeling of hope against sadness. Creates Depth Artists use color interaction to create the illusion of depth in their work. Enhances Focus Certain color pairings can draw attention to specific areas of artwork. Colour Interactions Simultaneous contrast Colour Interactions Colour changes influenced by surface colour patterns Observe the colour changes that occur in the same green colour of the “background” Helmholtz-Kohlrausch Effect – Color shift in a simultaneous hue contrast. Boundaries and outlines can create strange distortions in the way we perceive a color. Colour Interactions Colour changes influenced by outlines Observe the colour changes when white lines are replaced with dark lines. Bezold Effect – White and black outlines create completely different visual impressions when the main colors are exactly the same colour Colour Interactions Mood changes influenced by the background colour Observe how the mood changes depending upon the background colour. YELLOW as background color- Looks very fresh. Pattern colors become more soft and light. BLUE as background color- Mood becomes gloomy. Pattern colors look darker and deeper & sharper. Colour Interactions Crispening effect Observe how our perception changes depending on the lightness or darkness of the background. Colour Interactions Breneman Effect As the background becomes darker, the induced lightening in the image causes all the values to appear lighter. this has the greatest impact on the darkest values. Against a light valued background the lightness contrast causes the image values to appear darker Colour Interactions Afterimage effect Interaction of color caused by interdependence of color. After staring for half a minute at the left square, shift the focus suddenly to the right square and observe the result. Colour Interactions Optical illusions When there is high contrast between colors, the eye’s jump from one color to the other trying to get the whole picture. That creates the illusion of movement..  International colour standardization systems International colour standardization systems ensure consistency, accuracy, and reproducibility of colours across various mediums and industries. Each system follows a specific method to define and categorize colours, allowing industries like printing, design, manufacturing, and digital media to communicate colour precisely. International colour standardization systems Pantone Matching System (PMS) Overview Developed by Pantone LLC, this is one of the most widely used colour matching systems globally, particularly in graphic design, fashion, and printing industries. How It Works Pantone assigns a unique number to each colour in its system. Designers specify a colour by its Pantone number, and printers or manufacturers replicate that exact colour based on the defined ink mixtures, avoiding variations in shade. Applications Printing industry for precise colour reproduction in logos, branding, and packaging. Fashion and textiles to ensure consistent colours in fabrics and apparel. Product design for consistency across various materials. Advantages Colour accuracy across different mediums. Large library of predefined colours, including metallics, fluorescents, and pastels. International colour standardization systems CIE (International Commission on Illumination) System Overview The CIE system is the most scientifically rigorous standard for colour measurement and perception. It was established by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) to provide a standardized colour model based on human vision. How It Works The CIE system includes several models for colour representation: CIE XYZ Color Space: A mathematical model that defines colours based on human perception using three tristimulus values (X, Y, Z). Applications Scientific research on colour perception. Color calibration in industries like photography, printing, and display technology. Ensuring accurate colour reproduction across various lighting conditions. Advantages Objective and quantitative colour measurement. Useful in industries where colour accuracy is critical. International colour standardization systems RAL Colour System Overview Developed in Germany, the RAL colour system is widely used in architecture, construction, and industrial design, especially in Europe. It offers a standardized system for colour in paint, coatings, and plastics. How It Works RAL provides a set of standardized colours with corresponding codes. These colours are often used in industrial manufacturing to ensure uniformity in products like building materials, paints, and signage. Applications: Building materials and architectural design. Interior and exterior paint manufacturing. Industrial applications like coatings, automotive, and safety equipment. Advantages: Internationally recognized, especially in Europe. Wide application in manufacturing for colour consistency. https://www.ralcolorchart.com/ral-colors International colour standardization systems Munsell Color System Overview Developed by artist and professor Albert H. Munsell, this system organizes colours based on three properties: hue (the type of colour), value (lightness or darkness), and chroma (colour purity). How It Works The Munsell system arranges colours in a 3D space: Hue is arranged in a circular format. Value is arranged vertically from black to white. Chroma is arranged radially from neutral gray (no colour) outward to full saturation. Applications Education in colour theory and art. Soil science to classify soil colours. Industries like cosmetics and product design. Advantages Intuitive system based on human perception. Useful for teaching and understanding colour relationships. https://munsell.com/ International colour standardization systems NCS (Natural Color System) Overview The Natural Color System (NCS) is based on human vision and is commonly used in Scandinavian countries for design and architecture. It’s designed to be intuitive, allowing people to describe colours as they perceive them. How It Works NCS defines colours in terms of six elementary colour sensations: Yellow, red, blue, green, black, and white. Colors are classified based on their similarity to these primary colours. Applications Interior design and product development. Architecture and urban planning. Color communication in marketing and advertising. Advantages Simple and intuitive classification system based on perception. Widely used in design and creative industries. International colour standardization systems ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Color Codes Overview ANSI colour codes are used in industrial applications, such as safety signage, electrical wiring, and manufacturing processes in the U.S. How It Works ANSI assigns specific colours for various industries and applications, particularly safety. For instance, red indicates fire protection equipment, while yellow indicates caution. Applications Safety signage and equipment. Electrical wiring and conduit systems. Industrial control panels and piping systems. Advantages Ensures safety and compliance in various industries. Standardized colour codes across sectors for easy identification. International colour standardization systems ISO Color Standards Overview The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) develops colour standards for various industries, such as printing, textiles, and digital displays. Notable Standards ISO 12647: A standard for process control in the printing industry, covering colour accuracy from prepress to final print output. ISO 3664: A standard that defines viewing conditions for accurate colour assessment. Applications Printing and publishing industries. Textile and fashion for colour consistency. Digital display manufacturing for accurate colour rendering. Advantages Provides internationally recognized guidelines. Ensures colour accuracy and quality control in manufacturing. International colour standardization systems RGB (Red, Green, Blue)Color Model Usage Digital screens and electronic displays. How It Works RGB is an additive colour model where colours are created by combining red, green, and blue light. It’s primarily used for digital devices like monitors, TVs, and cameras. Advantages Capable of displaying a wide range of colours using light. International colour standardization systems CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) Color Model Usage Printing industry. How It Works CMYK is a subtractive colour model used in colour printing, where cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks are mixed to create various colours on paper. Advantages Ideal for printed materials where accurate colour reproduction is essential. International colour standardization systems ICC (International Color Consortium) Profiles Overview ICC profiles are essential in colour management across different devices like cameras, printers, monitors, and scanners. They ensure that the colour a designer sees on screen is the same colour produced by a printer. How It Works ICC profiles are device specific colour settings that adjust for differences in how various devices handle colour. This allows colours to be consistent across different mediums and devices. Applications Digital imaging and photography. Printing industry for colour accuracy. Graphic design and multimedia content creation. Advantages Provides accurate colour representation across different devices. Crucial for professional colour workflows in digital imaging and printing. International colour standardization systems DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung) Color Standards Overview DIN, the German Institute for Standardization, provides colour standards widely used in Germany and internationally, particularly in industrial applications. How It Works DIN colour standards offer guidelines for colour consistency in manufacturing, ensuring that products like automotive parts, machinery, and consumer goods meet specific colour criteria. Applications Manufacturing industries for quality control. Automotive and construction materials. Product development in consumer goods. Advantages Ensures consistent colour in industrial applications. Widely recognized in Europe and beyond.