Colour Theory

Today we printed some HDR images. Worked on the tower and researched colour theory.

Itten's Color Theory
Color Contrasts
There are seven different kinds of contrasts.

1. Contrast of Hue
2. Light-Dark Contrast
3. Cold-Warm Contrast
4. Complementary Contrast
5. Simultaneous Contrast
6. Contrast of Saturation
7. Contrast of Extension

Keep in mind that no piece of artwork makes use of only one type of contrast. However one type is usually dominates the piece.

Contrast of Hue
A Hue colour is a pure colour. The further on the colour wheel colours are situated the greater the contrast.

Light Dark Contrast
Light dark contrast is contrast between light values and dark values.

"Chiaroscura"

Cold-Warm Contrast
Cold-warm contrast refers to the contrast between cool and warm colors. Cools colours consist of blue, green and purple. Warm colours consist of red, orange and yellow.

Complimentary Contrast
Complimentary Contrast refers to the contrast between complimentary (opposite) colours. Complimentary colors are those that are directly opposite to each other on the color wheel.

Simultaneous Contrast
It is the contrast between two colours that are almost complimentary, but not exactly. It is contrast between a colour and another colour that is to the right of left of its compliment.


Contrast of Saturation
The term refers to the contrast between pure intense colours and dull diluted or grayed colours. Dull colors would appear to be duller when it is placed next to pure intense colours, and pure intense colors would appear move vivid when it is next to a dull colour.

Contrast of Extension
Different amounts of one colour are needed to balance another.
The contrast of extension is used to refer to contrast between the proportion of one area of colour to another.

Glossary of colour terms

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/colour-art-glossary.htm#colourterms