Our whole world constitute a wide array of colours. People define things because of their choice of colours. Everything from their food to clothes to vehicles etc. is based on the selection of colours. Although, there are some people who have good colour judgement, and they apply it in their lifestyle naturally. The rest can study and use the colour theory models to apply them in their general life. Colour theory is the general rules and regulations guide for the use of colours in any art and design. It aims to establish a good feel and effective communication thorough a design. In terms of delivery, it aims at providing satisfaction at visual and psychological level. For example, artists can set a cool scene using a blue colour or can create an ambience of elegance by using the warm colours. By understanding the colour theory, artists combine the colours and create harmony in the designs.
A Quick Sneak Peak from History
Colour theory first appeared in the principles of Leone Battista Albert (c. 1435) and from the notebook of Leonardo Da Vinci (c.1490). Later in the 18th century, Sir Isaac Newton, in his books optiks (1704) showed the world the primary colours and created his own colour wheel. These studies explain the colours and how different combinations can be used to create an appeal in any design. Modern colour theory is based in the Newton’s colour wheel comprising the primary, secondary and tertiary colour.
The Colour Wheel
The colour wheel or the colour circle is used to illustrate the organisation of the hues. The wheel represents the relation between the primary, secondary and tertiary colours. In a colour wheel the primary colours i.e. Red, Yellow, and Blue (painter’s primary) are equally placed at the colour wheel forming an equilateral triangle. The middle section represents the mixtures of the primary colours. A typical model of colour wheel includes the primary as RGB with intermediary secondaries like green, orange, violet or purple.
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