# Color Basics
## Color Modes
### Subtractive Color - the color of Stuff
- white light strikes an object and gets absorbed.
- one particular color wavelength is reflected back out and into our eyes.
- when all colors are mixed, nothing is reflected, we see black.
- corresponds to paint, ink, dyes, etc.
- in Photoshop we use the CMYK color mode - good for print.
![[subtractive.svg]]
### Additive Color - the color of Light
- white light strikes a prism and separates out into the rainbow.
- when all colors are mixed the colors blend back into white.
- corresponds to stage lighting, computer monitors, TV's.
- in Photoshop we use the RGB color mode - good for web
![[additive.svg]]
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## Color Schemes/Harmonies
### Analogous
- aka: ADJACENT color scheme
- all colors are next to each other on the color wheel
- tends to feel comfortable and relaxing
![[analogous.svg]]
### Complementary
- aka: OPPOSITE color scheme
- colors are opposite each other on the color wheel
- strong visual contrast, intense feel
![[complementary.svg]]
### Split-Complementary
- combo of analogous and complementary
- most colors adjacent to each other, but has some opposite colors for contrast
- can be very dynamic and intriguing
![[split-complementary.svg]]
### Triadic
- either all three Primaries or all three Secondaries
- strange mix of colors, can be overwhelming
- good for graphic or cartoon imagery
![[triadic.svg]]
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## Color Temperature
- colors near the blue end of the spectrum are considered **cool**
- colors near the red end of the spectrum are considered **warm**
![[temperature.svg]]
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## Shade, tint, and tone
You can create shades, tints and tones of a color by adding black, grey and white to a base hue.
### Shade
A shade is created by adding black to a base hue, darkening the color. This creates a deeper, richer color. Shades can be quite dramatic and can be overpowering.
### Tint
A tint is created by adding white to a base hue, lightening the color. This can make a color less intense, and is useful when balancing more vivid color combinations.
### Tone
A tone is created by combining black and white—or grey—with a base hue. Like tints, tones are subtler versions of the original color. Tones are less likely to look pastel, and can reveal complexities not apparent in the base color.
![[shade-tint-tones.svg]]
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## Additional Resources
### Other Color Pages On This Site
- [[web color]] lots of tools and sites for building color palettes, as well as color theory and other neat things
- resources for [[working with color]] in Adobe Illustrator
### Color Theory
- [The fundamentals of understanding color theory from 99designs](https://99designs.com/blog/tips/the-7-step-guide-to-understanding-color-theory/)
- [A Comprehensive Guide To Color Theory For Artists from Draw Paint Academy](https://drawpaintacademy.com/a-comprehensive-guide-to-color-theory-for-artists/)
### Color Scheme Generators
- [Adobe Color](https://color.adobe.com/create) lets you create and save your own color schemes. Has a great way to explore color harmonies
- [Coolors.co](https://coolors.co/generate) is my favorite generator. just press spacebar to get a new color scheme. Has lots of goodies hidden away
- [Hexcolor](https://hexcolor.co/palette-generator) is another good generator with a bunch of links to other resources
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tags: #design #concepts #color
home: [[2d principles and elements]]