Colour Theory

Colour Theory:

The basic theories behind colours are the different types of colours, and how they are made. The colour wheel below shows each different colour in its own category.

 

 

Primary colours, Red, Blue and Yellow cannot be created by combining any other colours.
Secondary colours are what is created when you combine two Primary colours.
Tertiary colours are a mixture of Primary and Secondary colours.

There are also Complimentary colours, which are colours that should work well together. Although not shown under a category on the colour wheel, these all colours that are opposite eachother. For example: Red and Green or Yellow and Violet.


Tints, Hues and Shades:

Colour is a general term, this includes White and Gray. Black is a technically a lacking of colour.


Hues are the purest and brightest forms of the colours displayed on the wheel. Tints, sometimes known as 'Pastels' are colours with White added, therefore diluting them down and making them a lot more 'easy on the eyes'. 'Pastel' colours are a popular choice that are used for such things as decorating childrens' room's (sometimes referred to as baby pink, baby blue).
Shades are in theory the opposite of what a Tint accomplishes, they are created by adding black to any colour - therefore darkening it and making it appear a lot 'grungier' looking.

Tones are a combination of both Tints and Shades, this is when Black and White are both added to a colour therefore 'greying it down'.