Transcript N4_5 Colour_Theory

National 4/5
Graphic
Communication
Colour Theory
Graphic Communication
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The use of colour plays a massive role in Graphic
Communication.
It can be used to convey feelings, to create visual
impact and to suggest the use for products.
It can also be used in signs and symbols to
convey specific types of information.
Graphic Communication
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You will need to know about the colour wheel.
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What are primary colours?
What are secondary colours?
What are tertiary colours?
What colours are contrasting?
What colours are harmonious?
What colours are advancing?
What colours are rededing?
What colours are warm or cold?
What is meant by the terms: tone; tints; and shades?
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The Colour Wheel
Primary Colours
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The 3 primary colours are
Yellow
Red
Blue
Secondary Colours
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The 3 secondary colours are
Orange
Green
Violet
Tertiary Colours
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Tertiary colours are
obtained when you
mix a primary colour
with a secondary
colour.
The tertiary colours
are circled on the
colour wheel
opposite.
Harmonising Colours
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Harmonising
colours are beside
each other on the
colour wheel.
The following
colours are
harmonious:
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Yellow & Orange
Red & Violet
Blue & Green
Contrasting Colours
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Contrasting colours
are on opposite
sides of the colour
wheel.
The following
colours are
contrasting:
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Yellow & Violet
Red & Green
Blue & Orange
Advancing Colours
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Advancing colours
appear to come
towards you when
you look at them.
Advancing colours
are warm colours:
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red
orange
yellow
They are all on
one half of the
colour wheel.
Warm Colours
These colours are used to give a
feeling of warmth to a drawing.
 They can also be used to show hot
things as part of a symbol, like a red
dot on a hot water tap.
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red
 yellow
 orange
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Receding Colours
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Receding colours
appear to move
into the
background when
you look at them.
Advancing colours
are cold colours:
 blue
 green
 violet
They are all on
one half of the
colour wheel.
Cold Colours
These colours are used to give a
feeling of coldness to a drawing.
 They can also be used to show cold
things as part of a symbol, like a blue
dot on a cold water tap.
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blue
 green
 violet
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Tone
The tone of a colour is how strong or
weak a colour is.
 By applying more coats of a colour its
tone can be made stronger.
 This can be shown in the tonal bar.
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Tint & Shade
Tints and shades are created by
adding white or black to a colour.
 White is added to a colour to give it a
tint. Pale colours tend to be soft.
 Black is added to a colour to give it a
shade. Dark colours look as though
they are heavy.
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Feelings & Instruction
Colours are often used to convey
feeling or instruction.
 This is helpful as it can be used as
signs in any language.
 The following slides tell us what
feelings colours give.
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Red
Warm
 Vibrant
 Exciting
 Active
 Festive
 Passion
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Yellow
Warm
 Sunny
 Happy
 Glowing
 Easily seen
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Blue
Cool
 Elegant
 Sophisticated
 Formal
 Classy
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Green
Cool
 restful
 natural calm
 soothing
 fresh
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Violet
Cool
 Peaceful
 Solitary
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Orange
Warm
 Happy
 Cheerful
 Energy
 Refreshing
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Neutral Colours
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Greys
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Natural
Restful
Calm
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Browns
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Natural
Earthly
Safe
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Elegant
Dignified
Reliable
Good
Black & White
Dramatic
 elegant
 opposing
 contrasting
 sophisticated
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