Color Theory: Understanding the Basics for Color Analysis
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Color Theory: Understanding the Basics for Color Analysis By Elaine Stoltz, AICI CIM [email protected] Stoltz Image Institute, Texas USA www.stoltzimage.com Color: A physical or visual sensation experienced when light rays of particular lengths stimulate the retina of the eyes. Color embodies the dimensions of hue, value, and intensity. Why is Color Important? Color is an element of art. Elements of Art § Line § Shape § Form § Space § Texture § Color § Value Why is color important to the image industry? ____________________________ The Stoltz Image Color Philosophy “Persons are often misled in regard to their choice of dress by attending to the ______________ ________________, rather than selecting such colors as may increase _____________________.” - William Shenstone, English Poet, 1714-1763 Properties of Color § Hue § Temperature § Value § Value Contrast § Intensity Stoltz Image Institute, Copyright 2015 1 Hue: Primary Colors: Secondary Colors Expanded Color Wheel: Neutral Colors Achromatic Colors: Muted Chromatic Colors: Quiz! 1st Color ___________________________________ 2nd Color ___________________________________ 3rd Color ___________________________________ 4th Color ___________________________________ 5th Color ___________________________________ 6th Color ___________________________________ Quiz! 1st Color _____________________________________ 2nd Color _____________________________________ 3rd Color _____________________________________ Stoltz Image Institute, Copyright 2015 2 Quiz! 1st Color _____________________________________ 2nd Color _____________________________________ 3rd Color _____________________________________ Temperature § Temperature is the warmth or coolness of a color. § A color containing ____________ is considered to be a warm color. § A color containing _____________ is considered to be a cool color. § ___________ and _____________ are considered neutral temperature colors, neither warm nor cool. Psychological temperature Warm: Relates to our experience with the ________________________ and the __________________, the __________________, and the __________________. These experiences suggest that __________ and ___________ are warm hues. Warm Colors: § __________________________ § __________________________ § __________________________ § __________________________ § _________________________ Psychological temperature Cool: Relates to our experience with the__________________, the _______________, and the ___________________. These experiences suggest that __________ and __________ are cool hues. Stoltz Image Institute, Copyright 2015 3 Cool Colors: § ________________ § ________________ § ________________ § ________________ § ________________ Neutral Temperature Colors: § ________________ § ________________ Temperature of Neutral Colors Achromatic: ______________________________________________________ Cool Muted Chromatic: _________________________________________________ Warm Temperature Chart Stoltz Image Institute, Copyright 2015 4 Quiz! Picture 1 ________________________________ Picture 3 ________________________________ Picture 2 ________________________________ Picture 4 ________________________________ Value § The relative degree of ________________ or ___________________ of a hue. § When a colored picture is turned into a __________ and ________ picture the colors represent varying _______________. Grey Scale 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Quiz! Picture 1 ________________________________ Picture 3 ________________________________ Picture 2 ________________________________ Picture 4 ________________________________ Value Contrast § Comparative contrast of the values of two _______________. § The distance between the values of the two colors on a _____________. Contrast Levels § High __________ and _________ § Medium High __________ and _________, __________ and Black § Medium __________ and White, Black and ______________ § Medium Low Black and ____________, ________________ § Low Black and ____________, White and _______________ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Stoltz Image Institute, Copyright 2015 5 Quiz! Picture 1 ________________________________ Picture 3 ________________________________ Picture 2 ________________________________ Picture 4 ________________________________ Intensity § The relative degree of _____________ or ____________ of a hue. § Other words for intensity are ____________, the _____________, the degree of ______________, __________, or _____________. § Intensity can be altered by the texture of a _______________. § Textures that reflect light are more____________ than a matte fabric. Example: A______________________ would be brighter than a _________________. Quiz! Picture 1 ________________________________ Picture 3 ________________________________ Picture 2 ________________________________ Picture 4 ________________________________ Resonance § Resonance is the visual impression of a hue as it moves _______________________. § Resonance is a result of what was used to alter the ______________ pigment. 5 Resonances: § Tinted § Washed § Shaded § Toasted § Muted Stoltz Image Institute, Copyright 2015 6 § Tinted: A hue that is mixed with ________ to lighten a color. It appears opaque and milky. § Washed: A pure hue that is mixed with __________ to lighten a color. It appears translucent and lightweight. The original pure pigment is still readily apparent. § Shaded: A pure hue that is mixed with _________ to darken a color. _________ is a cool color and will make all warm pigments appear cooler and cool pigments cooler still. § Toasted: A pure hue that is mixed with __________ in order to lighten or darken a color. ____________ is a warm color. Toasting cool colors with __________ will warm them. § Muted: Can lighten or darken a pigment by adding the pigment’s ______________. When __________________ are side by side, they intensify each other. When they are mixed with each other, they mute or de-intensify each other. ___________________ Colors: Two hues that lie ___________________ one another on the color wheel. Harmony § Combined use of color patterns to achieve enough variety to avoid _______________, but not so much variety to create __________________. 6 Harmonies: § Monochromatic § Triadic § Complementary § Tetrad § Analogous § Neutral § Monochromatic: A harmony where the same hue is presented in ________________ from light to dark. The hue can come from the color wheel or as _________________ or ____________ from the neutral chart. § Complementary: A harmony of two hues that are ___________ each other on the color wheel. § Analogous: A harmony of ____, _______, or _______ hues that are _____________ on the color wheel. They may be used in a variety of values, intensities, and temperature. § Triadic: A harmony of _____________ hues that are ______________ from each other on the color wheel. § Tetrad: A harmony of ______________ hues that are ____________ from each other on the color wheel. § Neutral: A harmony where ___________________ neutral colors are combined. Stoltz Image Institute, Copyright 2015 7 Human Coloring “Persons are often misled in regard to their choice of dress by attending to the _______ _________________, rather than selecting such colors as may increase their _________ _________________.” English Poet, 1714-1763 We See Color First: When you walk into a store and look at the visual displays the mannequins are wearing bright colors and the outfit is perfectly accessorized. We look at the work of art and say "That is beautiful. I want the entire outfit." But your head is not on the mannequin. It’s a great outfit and beautiful work of art, but not great for you. § Your clothes are an extension of you. You are a walking work of art each day. Each morning you select an outfit in your closet and walk out the door. Whoever sees you that day will observe your work of art. Some days you might do a good job and other days you might not. It’s important for you to talk first, not your clothes. One of the biggest mistakes women make is that they select clothing that is too bright and / or too much contrast for their own natural coloring. § Your clothing colors should be in harmony with your body colors. When you leave our house each day, you cannot leave our head at home. Your eye color, hair color, skin color and red color are always going to be a part of your complete outfit. The clothing that you wear on the upper half of you lay right next to your face reflects that color onto your face. It is most important that those colors flatter your natural coloring and enhance your appearance. Temperature, Value, Value Contrast and Intensity of your natural coloring will play a role in deciding which colors to wear. § Temperature: The ______________ temperature of your outfit should be similar to your __________ body coloring temperature. § Value: The _________ value of the outfit must be similar to your ________ value. § Value Contrast: The _________ value contrast of your outfit must be similar to your _________value contrast. § Intensity: The __________ intensity of your outfit must be similar to your _________ intensity. Therefore it is imperative for you to learn what your __________ color characteristics are. You must start by studying each body color separately. You must learn the hue, temperature, value, value contrast, and intensity of each body color: eyes, skin, hair and red tones. Stoltz Image Institute, Copyright 2015 8 Customized vs. Category What is Custom Color Analysis? Benefits of Category Systems: § Familiarity § Quick consults § Minimal costs § Fast delivery