Mrs. Davis introduces Itten and his contributions to color theory as we know it today. The color wheel, color schemes, qualities of color and the contrasts of color are explained.

1. Color Theory
with Johannes Itten

2. Color Wheel
THE
The color wheel is the basic tool for
combining colors. The first circular
color diagram was designed by Sir
Isaac Newton in 1666.
The color wheel is designed so that
virtually any colors you pick from it
will look good together. Over the
years, many variations of the basic
design have been made, but the most
common version is a wheel of 12
colors based on the RYB (or artistic)
color model created by Johannes
Itten.

3. Who is… Johannes
Itten?
Swiss painter and teacher
Johannes Itten was a pivotal
member of the Bauhaus; Germany’s
most influential art and design school
in the early 1900’s.
He was the main painter and taught a
mandatory design and color class at
the school. The theories he created
and taught are still used today by
artist world wide!
So what exactly did
he contribute?

4. What were his…
Contributions• The 12 Point Color Wheel
• 4 Qualities of a color:
 Hue
 Intensity
 Value
 Temperature
• 7 Color Contrasts:
 contrast of saturation
 contrast of light and dark
 contrast of extension
 complementary contrast
 simultaneous contrast
 contrast of hue
 contrast of warm and cool

5. What is…
Color TheoryThe artist’s most notable impact on
present-day color theory was the
association of certain colors with
specific emotions.
Traditionally, there are a number of
color combinations that are considered
especially pleasing. These are called
color harmonies and they consist of
two or more colors with a fixed
relation in the color wheel.
The easiest color harmonies are…
Warm and Cool Colors….

6. What are…Warm and Cool
Colors?Warm and cool colors refer to the
temperature of a color.
Warm Colors: Red, Yellow, Orange
Cool Colors: Blue, Green, Purple
EVERY color has a warm and cool
variation…

7. What are…
Warm Colors?Warm colors are made with orange,
red, yellow and combinations of these
three.
As the name indicates, they tend to
make you think of sunlight and heat.
Because these colors are the first colors
the eye sees, Warm colors look as
though they come closer in
paintings.

8. What are…
Cool Colors?Cool colors such as blue, green and
light purple have the ability to calm and
soothe.
Where warm colors remind us of heat
and sunshine, cool colors remind us of
water and sky.
Unlike warm colors, cool colors look
as though they recede because they
are the last colors our eyes see.

9. What are…
Color SchemesWith colors you can set a mood,
attract attention, or make a
statement. You can use color to
energize, or to cool down.
By selecting the right color scheme,
you can create an ambiance of
elegance, warmth or tranquility, or
you can convey an image of playful
youthfulness.
Color can be your most
powerful design element if
you learn to use it
effectively.

10. What are…Monochromatic
ColorsOne color used with varying tints and
shades of that color are called
Monochromatic colors…
Like analogous colors, monochromatic
colors create relaxing and harmonious
feelings.
Unlike analogous colors they lack in
creating strong focal points because of the
lack of color variations.

11. What are…
Analogous ColorsAnalogous color schemes use colors that
are next to each other on the color
wheel. They naturally match well and
“feel” good.
Analogous color schemes are often found
in nature and are harmonious and pleasing
to the eye.
When used with enough contrast
analogous color schemes have more colors
to choose from and therefor are more
successful at creating focal points than
monochromatic colors.
Choose one color to dominate, a second to
support. The third color is used (along with
black, white or gray) as an accent.

12. What are…Complementary
ColorsColors that are opposite each other on
the color wheel are considered to be
complementary colors … ex: red and green
The high contrast of complementary colors
creates a vibrant look when placed NEXT
to each other and therefore must be
managed well so it is not jarring.
They also create a variety of neutrals such
as black and brown when MIXED.
Complementary color schemes are tricky
to use in large doses, but work well when
you want a strong focal point.

13. What are…Split-Complementary
ColorsThe split-complementary color scheme
is a variation of the complementary color
scheme. In addition to the base color, it
uses the two colors adjacent to its
complement.
This color scheme has the same strong
visual contrast as the complementary color
scheme, but has WAY less tension and
MORE color options.
The split-complimentary color scheme is
often a good choice for beginners, because
it is difficult to mess up.

14. What are…
Triad Harmony
A triad color scheme uses three colors
that are evenly spaced around the color
wheel.  (pick 1/Skip 3, repeat)
Triadic color schemes tend to be quite
vibrant, even if you use pale or
unsaturated versions of your hues.
To use a triadic harmony successfully, the
colors should be carefully balanced - let
one color dominate and use the two others
for accent.
Natural Triads include
Primary and Secondary Colors!

15. What are…Tetrad Harmony
SquareThe Tetrad Harmony of 4 Square Color
Scheme is similar to the rectangle, but
with all four colors spaced evenly around
the color circle. This gives it a more
complementary feeling than the
rectangular version.
Square color schemes works best if you let
one color be dominant.
You should also pay attention to the
balance between warm and cool colors in
your design.

16. What are…Tetrad Harmony
RectangleThe Tetrad Harmony of 4 Rectangle
uses four colors arranged into two
complementary pairs that are placed close
together. This gives it a slightly more
analogous feeling than the Square Tetrad.
This rich color scheme offers plenty of
possibilities for variation.
Tetradic color schemes works best if you
let one color be dominant.
You should also pay attention to the
balance between warm and cool colors in
your design.