Color and Light - Color Relationships Chapter 6
COLOR RELATIONSHIPS
Monochromatic Schemes
Any single color with a range of values is considered monochromatic. Monochromatic color schemes are often seen as an artistic choice rather than a necessity, like it used to be. They hint at historical context since lack of color is associated with the past.
Warm and Cool
Human beings have been dividing colors into different groups for centuries- typically into groups that we call "warm" and "cool". These colors are reminiscent to certain feelings, circumstances, and memories where those colors are familiar and often found. Blue and Orange are the heads of warm and cold.
Using primarily one side of the color wheel can be successful - but without a splash of color from the opposite side of the color wheel can make it very monotonous and weary for the eyes. You can use warm or cool tones in neutral hues as well, making a monochromatic piece stand out.
Colored Light Interactions
Additive Color Mixing: One color of light intermixes with another. Is typically done in the eye's view, not actually created in pigments. This light behaves differently because the colors don't necessarily match. (ie. green and red light mix to create yellow, which they wouldn't do in typical pigment fashion)
Complementary Shadow Colors
Be careful to distinguish where the shadow you create receives its color from; even if there is a color coming from behind, the shadow will get whatever color it is reflecting.
Triads
Monochromatic Schemes
Any single color with a range of values is considered monochromatic. Monochromatic color schemes are often seen as an artistic choice rather than a necessity, like it used to be. They hint at historical context since lack of color is associated with the past.
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| Monochromatic Color Scheme |
Warm and Cool
Human beings have been dividing colors into different groups for centuries- typically into groups that we call "warm" and "cool". These colors are reminiscent to certain feelings, circumstances, and memories where those colors are familiar and often found. Blue and Orange are the heads of warm and cold.
Using primarily one side of the color wheel can be successful - but without a splash of color from the opposite side of the color wheel can make it very monotonous and weary for the eyes. You can use warm or cool tones in neutral hues as well, making a monochromatic piece stand out.
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| Cool tones used to create a different feel. |
Colored Light Interactions
Additive Color Mixing: One color of light intermixes with another. Is typically done in the eye's view, not actually created in pigments. This light behaves differently because the colors don't necessarily match. (ie. green and red light mix to create yellow, which they wouldn't do in typical pigment fashion)
Complementary Shadow Colors
Be careful to distinguish where the shadow you create receives its color from; even if there is a color coming from behind, the shadow will get whatever color it is reflecting.
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| Imagine that the light source is blue, but that the object is being lit from the front in orange. The shadow will then be cast in orange rather than blue. |
Triads
You do not need to use full-power colors to create a triadic color scheme. They do not have to come out of a tube either. You can use these colors to the full extent of their value; play with emphasis on one side of the color and then the other. Try to keep other hues out by using as many versions of your colors as possible.
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| Saurian Steps James Gurney Notice the variety of colors; the original three are blue green, cool red, and dull yellow. There are many versions of these three colors used throughout the painting and very few additional hues. |
Color Accent
Adding a little bit of color to a primarily black and white piece can create interest. An accent is a small portion of the painting that is noticeably a different color. Try to select a complement to the color scheme already happening.
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