Susan Newberry introduces the reader to color theory. She discusses how color perception is affected by different light sources and surroundings. The document explains primary, secondary, and tertiary colors and how they relate on the color wheel. It also covers how hue, value, warmth, and coolness impact color and how altering these properties creates tints, tones and shades. The key aspects of color theory covered are the color wheel, primary/secondary/tertiary colors, tints, tones and shades, and how warm and cool colors influence perception.

1. Susan Newberry
1

2. Hi there. My name is Susan
Newberry and I am going to
introduce you to Color
Theory. My favorite color is
green. What is your favorite
color?
2

3. Direct Sunlight Indirect Sunlight Artificial Light
Did you know that the type of light under which
color is viewed makes a tremendous difference in
how we perceive a particular hue?

4.  For example:
◦ Incandescent bulbs produce a soft yellow-white light
◦ Fluorescent bulbs give off a cold blue light
◦ Halogen bulbs slightly whiter than regular incandescent lamps
and produce more light
◦ Candlelight warmest of all lights

5.  Color changes with
light
 Color changes with its
surroundings.
 Rarely do we see
color by itself.
The gray sample above looks
different against the two background
colors.

6.  The same color can have a different appearance
on carpet or fabric than it does on paint.

7.  Sheen affects the amount of light reflected from
the surface.
 Paint comes in different sheen levels.
◦ Flat surfaces are nonreflective
◦ Eggshell and satin have a soft glow
◦ Semi-gloss provides reflective light

8.  The Eye: Our eye views bright or light colors
faster or more easily than dark colors.
Contrast Effects
What do you notice about the reds above?
They look different, don’t they?

9. The same concept applies here. The
purple in the center of each box is actually
the same purple.

10.  Say the color of each line out loud…

11.  Say the color or each line out loud…
Not so easy, was it? It takes time for
your brain and mouth to sync on this one.

12.  Today’s color wheel was developed in 1666 by Sir
Isaac Newton.
 The color wheel is made up of primary,
secondary, and tertiary colors.

13. Hue is just another name
for color.
 The same hue or color
can have many different
names.
For example, pink, scarlet, maroon
and crimson are all hues of red.

14.  The most common
organization for the
relationships of the basic
colors is the color wheel.
 Primary colors are red,
yellow, and blue.
 Secondary colors are
orange, green, and violet.
 Tertiary colors are made by
mixing a primary color with
a secondary color.

15.  Refers to the lightness or darkness
of the hue
 Adding white or black to a color
alters value.
Value scales are usually shown from white
to black, but can be shown using color like
this one here that illustrates tints and
shades of red.

16. Adding white to a color is known as a tint.
Adding black is referred to as a shade.
Adding gray to a color is known as a shade.

17.  The color wheel is divided into warm and cool
colors.

18.  Warm colors include reds,
oranges, and yellows.
 Warm colors advance
 Represents – Fire, Sunlight
 Implies – Happy energy
 An artist many use warm and
cool color relationships to
create depth and volume.
 Warm colors can also create a
feeling of light.
Did you know that you can change the
perceived temperature of a room by
decorating with warm colors?

19.  Cool colors include blue, green,
and purple.
 Cool colors recede
 Represents – Sky, Water, Grass,
Plants
 Implies – Sadness, Depression,
Night
Cool colors can make a space look larger, but
be careful too much can cause sadness, thus
the term, “The Blues”

20.  What did you learn about color?
 Key Terms to know:
◦ Primary
◦ Secondary
◦ Tertiary
◦ Color Wheel
◦ Tint
◦ Tone
◦ Shade I hope you learned some new things
about Color Theory. Next week we’ll
talk about the different color schemes
and how color affects our moods.