Color Theory and Composition
- Page ID
- 360930
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 1: Introduction
- This section will introduce color terminology, an overview of historical color systems, and project introducing the 12 part color wheel to be used in this class. After completing this chapter students will feel comfortable locating a range of colors on a 12 part color wheel, be able to mix clear hues using a double primary palette, and understand the basics of selective color palettes.
- 2: Hue
- The basic hues in any composition are like actors in a play: they each have different roles, personalities, preferences and so on. They can play different parts, but learning the streangths and weaknesses of each can be beneficial to an artist or designer. This section will introduce some compositional techniques using pure hues in relationship to eachother.
- 3: Value
- Value contrast forms the backbone of any composition. It is how we are able to distinguish shapes, letters, and symbols. This chapter will cover the various value patterns, relative nature of value, and psychological effects of different types of value contrast. After completing this section students will recognize spectral value, tints, and shades for each hue and understand the role of a different value patterns in composition.
- 4: Temperature
- Color temperature is a secondary color property, it is more subjective than the three main properties of color as it changes depending on context. It appeals to our sense of touch and is built through cultural and experiential associations. Students will learn how to use temperature to create different effects in a compositions including color light, push and pull, pointillism, and more.
- 5: Complementary Contrast
- This section will introduce one of the most succesful and commonly used color palettes: complementary harmony. Students will learn the science behind this pleasing pairing, possible variation on the standard complements, and the important role of complementary neutrals in composition. The project for this unit will challenge you to use plants for inspiration, focusing on the expression of wholeness, natural unity, and vitality.
- 6: Saturation
- This section will challenge students to create compositions focusing on the contrast of vivid and dull. After completing the chapter students will understand how saturation, or chromatic intensity can act as a source of light in a composition. Students will be able to use saturation to convey transitory subjects such as light, space, sound, time and transformation.
- 7: Color Perception
- Color perception results from the interaction between light, the human visual system, and the brain's interpretation of visual information. This section explored theories of color vision, including the role of light sources, the retinex theory, and the differences between additive and subtractive color systems used in digital and analog media. It also demonstrated how colors are influenced by their surroundings through simultaneous contrast, revealing that color appearance is always shaped by co
- 8: Color Symbolism
- Color symbolism is the meaningful use and understanding of color in science culture, and art. Color symbolism can be univeral to all cultures or culturally specific. This chapeter will give an overview of areas of culture in which color symbolism can be found. Students will begin independent research on a color symbolism topic of their choice.
- 9: Extension and Composition
- In this section students will combine what they know of each color contrast to create complex composition. Questions of extension such as placement, recurrence, and scale of colors used will be introduced.