:A basic introduction to color theory for the visual arts classes at Pinconning High School.

1. Color Theory PowerPoint
Ms. Moore
Pinconning Area Schools
:a brief description of the
relationships between colors

2. Color Wheel

3. Primary Colors
• Red
• Yellow
• Blue
: With these colors (+black &
white) all other colors can
be made
• Can NOT be made by
mixing other colors

4. Secondary Colors
• Orange
• Green
• Violet
:colors produced by
mixing 2 primary
colors in equal
proportions

5. Tertiary Colors
:created by mixing
1 Primary + 1 Secondary
color
6 tertiary colors:
4. Red-orange
5. Yellow- orange
6. Yellow- green
7. Blue- green
8. Blue- violet
9. Red- violet

6. Warm Vs. Cool Colors
Warm: made with red,
yellow, and orange or
some combination of these
– Sunlight & warmth
Cool: made with blue,
green, and purple or
some combination of
these
-Calm & Peaceful, but also
cold & impersonal

7. Complementary Colors
• Colors opposite on the
color wheel; create
strong contrast when
placed next to each
other
• Main Sets:
• 1. Yellow & Violet
• 2. Blue & Orange
• 3. Red & Green

8. Analogous Colors
-colors next to each
other on the color
wheel
*look pleasant
together because they
are closely related
Examples: yellow,
yellow- green, &
green

9. Describe the color relationship of
the following paintings:

13. Color Mixing
•Peach=
•Values of gray (pencil)
•Shades
•Tints
Green=
Violet=
Orange=

14. ELEMENTS
of art
Color
Line
Shape
Value
Texture
Volume/ Form

15. Line
:the path made by a
moving object
5 main types:
• 1.vertical
• 2. Horizontal
• 3. Diagonal
• 4. Curved
• 5. Zigzag

16. Shape
• Two dimensional area
which is defined by an
edge or outline
• Geometric & organic
• Circle, square,
triangle,
parallelogram,
hexagon, etc.

17. Value
• Degree of darkness or
lightness of a color
• Chiaroscuro: method
of arranging light and
shadow to create the
illusion of form (shading)

18. Volume or Form
• An object with 3
dimensions- length,
width, & depth.
• Geometric or free-
form
• Ex.: cone, cube,
cylinder, sphere

19. Texture
• Tactile quality of the
surface of an object or
material
• *Real or Actual- the
way objects or
surfaces feel or look
like they feel; rough,
smooth, shiny…

20. PRINCIPLES
of art
• Advanced Artwork; considered
before, after, and during the art
process
• Why abstract art takes skill, too
4. Balance
5. Contrast
6. Proportion
7. Pattern
8. Rhythm
9. Emphasis
10. Unity
11. Variety

21. Balance
• How artists create
visual weight
• Use line, shape, &
color to create balance

22. Pattern
• Artists create
pattern by
repeating a line,
shape or color
over and over
again.

23. Rhythm
• Artists create
visual rhythm by
repeating
art elements and
creating patterns.
• Visual rhythm
makes you think
of the rhythms
you hear in music
or dance.

24. Emphasis
• Artists use emphasis
to make certain
parts of their artwork
stand out and grab
your attention. The
center of interest or
focal point is the
place the artist
draws your eye to
first.

25. Unity
• Unity is the
feeling that
everything in the
work of art works
together and
looks like it fits.
• What did Gustave
Cailebotte use to
create unity in this
painting?

26. Variety
• Variety occurs when
an artist creates
something that looks
different from the
rest of the artwork.
An artist may use
variety to make you
look at a certain part
or make the artwork
more interesting.

27. Proportion
• Size, location, or
amount of one thing in
relation to another
• Figure drawing
proportions, etc.

28. Contrast
• Excitement & interest
in an artwork
• Two things that are
very different create a
lot of contrast
(complementary
colors, for example)

29. Essay Question:
-be able to describe a piece of art using the
principles and elements of art.

30. Describe the following artwork by
Vincent van Gogh using the elements and
principles of art.

31. Hints:
Organize you ideas first by
identifying at least 3 elements
and at least 3 principles of art.
Elements emphasized: Color, Form, Value
Principles emphasized: balance, proportion,
variety

32. Essay Response:
Van Gogh utilized many of the principles and elements of art in his Bedroom
at Arles painting, including balance, proportion, variety, value, color, and form.
The balance is asymmetrical with the large bed on the the far right side of the
painting. Proportion is exaggerated by the large bed and the extra small pieces of
furniture in an abstract perspective scale. Variety in the piece is evident in both
color choices (red bedspread vs. green chair seats) and in the amount of details on
the wall in contrast to the floor. Value is present in the different shades & tints of
the paint used (ex. different shades of light blue in the wall). Color is contrasted
using complementary color schemes as well as using cool colors on the
background in order for the window and the bedspread (warm colors) to stand out.
Form is present in the three dimensional aspect of the furniture in the room, giving
the painting a feeling that you could walk into the room at any moment.

33. Frida Kahlo, self portrait
With Monkey, 1938