# 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]] --- ## 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]] --- ## 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]] --- ## 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]] --- ## 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 --- tags: #design #concepts #color home: [[2d principles and elements]]