UNIT 2

Colours and Colour Schemes

 

Colour is attributes and perceptions related to the wavelengths of light. It is the aspect of things that is caused by differing qualities of light being reflected or emitted by them. It is often described through sets of primary colours such as Red, Green and Blue; and sets of combinations of primary colours.

 

COLOUR THEORY

Basic Colour Theory

There are three basic categories of colour theory: The colour wheel, colour harmony, and the context of how colours are used. Colour theories create a logical structure for colour. For example, if an assortment of fruits and vegetables have to organize, then they will be categorized by colour and then displayed in a circle keeping relation with each other.

In 1660, Sir Isaac Newton directed a beam of light through a prism which created a rainbow effect – the light was split into a spectrum of colours which was linear with red tones at one end and violets at the other. By joining the two ends of the spectrum Newton formed the idea of the colour wheel.

In 1876, Louis Prang (1824 -1909) advanced colour wheel theory and developed a colour wheel which is commonly known as the Artist’s or Prang colour wheel.  Prang was a printer and developed a four-color printing process known as chromolithography.  Prang’s system was the first workable system to reproduce colour in print.   He is sometimes referred to as the father of the American Christmas Card.

The Prang colour system was developed by David Brewster based on three primary colours. Three parts of colour wheels identified are

1.       The primary colours are 3 basic colour / pigment which are as follows red, yellow and blue

    They cannot be obtained by mixing other hues also known as fundamental colours.

 

2. The three secondary colours are created by mixing two primary colours in equal amounts.

•                PURPLE - RED + BLUE

•                ORANGE - RED + YELLOW

•                GREEN - BLUE + YELLOW

 

3.    Another six tertiary colours are created by mixing primary and secondary colours in equal quantity.  i.e. yellow-green, red-purple, blue-green, red-orange, blue-purple, yellow-orange.

 

M. E. Chevreul (1786-1889) was a French chemist and head of dyestuffs at the Gobelin Tapestry Works.  In 1825 he published The Principles of Harmony and Contrast of Colours, which expanded on the colour wheel theory. Harmony consists of two or more colours with a fixed relation in the colour wheel. It is identified as a visual experience that engages the viewer and it creates an inner sense of order, a balance in the visual experience. Some Formulas for Colour Harmony:

 

Monochromatic colour scheme

The monochromatic colour scheme uses variations in lightness and saturation of a single colour. This scheme looks clean and elegant. Monochromatic colours go well together, producing a soothing effect. The monochromatic scheme is very easy on the eyes, especially with blue or green hues. You can use it to establish an overall mood. The primary colour can be integrated with neutral colours such as black, white, or grey. However, it can be difficult, when using this scheme, to highlight the most important elements.

 

Analogous colour scheme

Analogous colour schemes use colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel. They usually match well and create calm, and comfortable design. Make sure you have enough contrast when choosing an analogous colour scheme. Choose one colour to dominate, a second to support. The third colour is used (along with black, white or grey) as an accent.

 

Complementary colour scheme

Colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel are considered to be complementary colours (example: red and green). The high contrast of complementary colours creates a vibrant look especially when used at full saturation. This colour scheme must be managed well so it is not jarring. Complementary colour schemes are tricky to use in large doses, but work well when you want something to stand out. Complementary colours are really bad for text.

 

Split-Complementary colour scheme

The split-complementary colour scheme is a variation of the complementary colour scheme. In addition to the base colour, it uses the two colours adjacent to its complement. This colour scheme has the same strong visual contrast as the complementary colour scheme, but has less tension. The split-complimentary colour scheme is often a good choice for beginners, because it is difficult to mess up.

 

Triadic colour scheme: A triadic colour scheme uses colours that are evenly spaced around the colour wheel. Triadic colour schemes tend to be quite vibrant, even if you use pale or unsaturated versions of your hues. To use a triadic harmony successfully, the colours should be carefully balanced - let one colour dominate and use the two others for accent

The Munsell colour system is a colour space that specifies colours based on three properties/dimensions of colour. It was created by Professor Albert H. Munsell in the first decade of the 20th century.

1. Hue (basic colour),

·       2. Chroma (colour intensity), and

·       3. Value (lightness).

(1) HUE: -This means name of the colour such as red, blue, green etc. The colour of an object is determined by the wavelength of light it reflects. An object appears black when all the wavelength are absorbed & white when all are reflected. “Colour” is a general term & “Hue” is a specific term.

(2) INTENSITY / CHROMA: - It refers to the brightness or dullness of a colour.  A bright colour is said to be having “full intensity” & are very striking &brilliant.  If colour is to bright or high intensity, it may be considered gaudy (too bright), garnish or flashy.  If too low intensity, then colour appear dull, weak or drab (uninteresting).

(3) VALUE: - This describes the lightness or darkness of a colour. There are total of 9 values ranging from white to black.

·       1. White: - Highest value, no color or hue can be as light as white.

·       2. Black: - lowest value, no color can be as darker as black.

Values can be changed by adding white or water to lighten the pigment or black to darken the pigment.

Ø  1. If a color is made lighter by adding white, the result is called a tint.

Ø  2. If black is added, the darker version is called a shade

Ø  3. And if gray is added, the result is a different tone.

Lighter value increases the size of an object.  Black & dark values decrease the size of an object.

Colour Context: How colour behaves? in relation to other colours and shapes is a complex area of colour theory. Colour context is the comparison of the contrast effects of different colour backgrounds for the similar colour, e.g. Red appears more brilliant against a black background and somewhat duller against the white background. In contrast with orange, the red appears lifeless; in contrast with blue-green, it exhibits brilliance. Notice that the red square appears larger on black than on other background colours.

Warm and cool colours: The colour circle can be divided into warm and cool colours.

Warm colours are vivid and energetic, and tend to advance in space. Colour that contains greater proportion of yellow & red, e.g., red, orange, yellow.

Cool colours give an impression of calm, and create a soothing impression. Colour that contains greater proportion of blue colour. For e.g.: Blue, light blue, light pink. White, black and grey are considered to be neutral.

 

Advancing & receding colour

·       Warm colors are advancing color as they make a room which is larger looks smaller / compact.

·       Cool colors are receding colors as light color on the wall, help us to a small room look larger.

 Colour Schemes for Lobby and Public Areas depends on

•            Theme

•            Layout

•            Flooring

•            Lighting (combination of natural and artificial lighting)

•            Connecting areas

•            Movement space

Colour schemes that are popular for hotel lobbies and public area are often versatile and flow nicely into any adjoining areas with the lighting used. Shades of blue are commonly used to create a sense of calm and serenity, while green can be used to evoke a sense of luxury and decadence. Colour schemes with orange are often popular because of its flexibility. Orange can pull together a more rustic, earth-toned look, or it can be used boldly to create a joyful, positive atmosphere

Chromo therapy: Chromotherapy is a narrow band in the cosmic electromagnetic energy spectrum, known to humankind as the visible colour spectrum. It is composed of reds, greens, blues and their combined derivatives, producing the perceivable colours that fall between the ultraviolet and the infrared ranges of energy or vibrations. These visual colours with their unique wavelength and oscillations, when combined with a light source and selectively applied to impaired organs or life systems, provide the necessary healing energy required by the body. Light affects both the physical and etheric bodies. Colours generate electrical impulses and magnetic currents or fields of energy that are prime activators of the biochemical and hormonal processes in the human body, the stimulants or sedatives necessary to balance the entire system and its organs.”

Chromotherapy and human body chakra system go hand in hand because each chakra governs a certain colour. For example, heart chakra is governed by green. Green’s vibration is proven to bring harmony and balance back to one’s body while relieving muscle pain. Green is known to be universally healing, reminding us of the cosmic relationship we share with the universe.