Colour wheel | colour-theory

The colour wheel

The colour wheel is what colour theory is centered around. It is important that you understand the colour wheel and how to use it if you are to implement any variation of colour theory within your work.

Image courtesy of postography.co.uk, sourced from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/370632244310456558/

Colour theory

Links into the different types of colour, useful for a better explanation about the types of colour included in the colour wheel

The Colour wheel, of which there are several versions, is a circular diagram which displays a number of colours arranged roughly in order of their appearance in the spectrum. Most colour wheels include three primary colours, three secondary colours, and six tertiary colors - a total of 12 main segments; some colour wheels feature more intermediates, adding up to 24 segments. The colour wheel is the main diagramatic model for explaining relationships between colours, although it is of limited practical value because, in reality, colours tend to behave and react with each other in less exact ways.

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/artist-paints/colour-theory-painting.htm

The infographic on the left gives you a good explanation of what the colour wheel is and the different types of colour in it.

Mini activity: Using paper (or photoshop for more advanced classes) make your own colour wheel (this is also included in the main activity page on this site)

The image featured on the left expanded on the terms we learnt in 'different types of colour'.

for more information: an image originally from collegeonline.org 'Color Theory : Graphic Design Tips' https://www.pinterest.com/pin/113504853080652819/

Mini activity: Play; Adobe colour wheel. link https://color.adobe.com/create/color-wheel/

Educators: I included this for more advanced classes who may have already learnt about colour theory or are progressing through and grasping the main points of colour theory at a fast pace. If your students are to learn one thing, and learn it well, about colour theory it must be this. This was included because the different shades, types and tones of colours are a key aspect of understanding modern colour theory. If students understand this key aspect, using colour theory in their work will become easier for them.