COLOUR THEORY

1. PRIMARY COLOURS:
Colours formed by themselves or in nature are called primary
colours. They are RED, BLUE, YELLOW.
Use Crimson red, Lemon Yellow, Cobalt Blue.
Radius =3 , Each Part =120

2. SECONDARY COLOURS:
By mixing equal proportions of primary colors we get
secondary colours.
Red + Yellow = Orange , Yellow + Blue = Green, Blue + Red =
Violet
Radius = 3 , Each Part = 120

3. SUB SECONDARY COLOURS:

BY mixing primary colours in more or less quantities we get
sub secondary colours. They are
More of Red + Less of Yellow = Reddish yellow
More of Blue + Less of Yellow = Bluish Green
More of Yellow + Less of Red = Yellowish Red
More of Blue + Less of Red = Bluish Violet
More of Yellow + Less of Blue = Yellowish Green
More of Red + Less of Blue = Reddish Violet
Radius = 3 , Each part = 60

4. Intermediate colours:
Mixing of unequal proportions of primary and secondary
colours we get Intermediate colours.
More of Red + Less of Orange = Reddish orange
More of Blue + Less of Orange = Bluish Orange
More of Yellow + Less of Orange = Yellowish Orange
More of Red + Less of violet = Reddish Violet
More of Blue + Less of violet = Bluish violet
More of Yellow + Less of violet = Yellowish Violet
More of Red + Less of Green = Reddish Green
More Blue + Less Green = Bluish Green
More Yellow + Less Green = Yellowish green
5. Tertiary Colours:
By mixing of equal Proportions of secondary colours result in
tertiary colours.
Orange + Violet = Russet , Green + Violet = Olive, Orange +
Green = Citrus Green
Radius = 3 , Each part = 120
6. Quarternary colours:
Mixing of equal proportions of tertiary colours we get
quarternary colours.
Russet + Citrus = Buff
Russet + Olive = Grey
Citrus + Olive = Sage
Radius = 4 Each part = 30

Colour Wheel

Colour Schemes
1. Contrasting Colours:
Two colours from different segments of the colour wheel are
contrasting colours. Ex: Red is from the warm half of the
colour wheel and Blue is from the cool half of the colour wheel
They are contrasting colours.
Ex: Orange Blue, Green Red, Violet - Yellow
2. Complimentary colours:
Colours which are opposite to each other int colour wheel are
called as complimentary colours.Combination of a shade, tint
or tone of one color and the color opposite in wheel called as
complementary colours.
Ex: Red - Green,
Reddish yellow Bluish Green, Orange
Blue,
Yellowish Red Bluish Violet, Yellow Violet, Yellowish Green
Redddish Violet

3. Split Complementary Colours:

Choosing one color and using the color on each side of the
complement on the colour wheel is called Split Complmentary
colours.

4. Analogous Colours :
Colours adjacent to primary colours in colour wheel . Using any
shades, tints or tones of colors that lie adjacent to each other
on the wheel.
Ex: Reddish violet ---------- RED ------------- Reddish Yellow

Yellowish Red ----------Yellow ----------- Yellowish Green

Bluish Green ------------ Blue -------------- Bluish Violet

5. Achromatic colours:
Black and white , Tints and shades of Black are called
achromatic colours. Basically a colorless scheme using blacks,
whites and greys.
Black + White = Grey.
6. Monochromatic colours:
Using any Tints and shades of any single colour are called as
monochromatic colours.
all one color, but different shades, tones or tints. All blue attire could consist of a
navy suit, light blue shirt, dark blue tie, blue pocket square, etc. Add some contrast
to this combination by using texture and pattern. Some of your clothing items
should be smooth; others rough in texture. Some items could be patterned; others
solid

7. Triad colors: Three hues equally spaced on the color wheel. When you want a

combination that is colorful and yet balanced, a triad color scheme might be the way
to go. The first or primary triad colors in the color wheel are red, blue and yellow.
Heres an example of an outfit: a navy suit (blue), pale yellow shirt (yellow) and
burgundy tie (red).

8. Warm Colours :
Tints and shades of Red, Yellow and orange are called as warm
colours.

9. Cool Colours:
Colours from green to violet in color wheel are called cool
colours.
Ex: Green, Bluish Green, Blue, Bluish violet, Violet.
10.

Neutral colors: Neutral usually means without color, and these colors don't

usually show up on the color wheel.

Neutral colors such as beige, ivory,

taupe, black, gray, and white appear to be without color, and yet in
many applications these hues often have undertones of color. Be aware
of these underlying tones as you match colors or choose paint. For
example, beige might have an undertone of pink or tan or gold. White
might be slightly ivory, yellow, bluish, or peachy.
Colour Terms:
1. Hue - the name of a color, the purest form of a colour.

2. Value - the degree of lightness or darkness in a color; can be expressed by tones,

tints and shades

3.

Intensity - the degree of purity or strength of a color (hue) or how bright or muted
the colors are. For example, an intense red is one that is a very strong, pure red
color. When a lighter or darker color is added to a color, the intensity will be less
bright. (If you add white to red you get pink, a less intense color strength)

4. Tints:
Colours obtained by mixing white in gradating ratios to any
colour are called Tints.

5. Shades:
Colours obtained by mixing black in gradating ratios to any
colour are called Shades.

6. Tones :
Colours obtained by mixing grey to any colour are called Tones.