John Paul Academy

Technical Education

S3 Graphic CommunicationColour Theory

Primary Colours

•Red

Yellow

Blue

Secondary Colours

•Green

Orange

Violet

•Yellow-Orange

Tertiary Colours

•Red-OrangeRed-Violet

oViolet-BlueBlue-Green

•Green-Yellow

The Colour Wheel

Colours and Moods

• Red

• Warm• Exciting• Passionate• Dangerous• Angry

• Warm• Happy• Sunny• Cheerful• Full of Energy

• Orange

Colours and Moods

Colours and Moods

• Yellow

• Warm• Happy• Sunny• Cheerful• Bright – Most Easily

Seen

Colours and Moods

• Green

• Cool• Restful• Natural• Calm• Fresh

Colours and Moods

• Blue

• Cool• Conservative• Sophisticated• Formal• Elegant

Colours and Moods

• Purple

• Rich• Regal• Pompous• Luxurious

Colours and Moods

• White

• Hygienic• Clean• Pure

Tips for Choosing a Colour Scheme

• Any colours near each other (within any third of the colour wheel) will always work together to create a harmonious colour scheme. E.g.

red / red-orange / orange

blue-green / green / green-yellow

Tips for Choosing a Colour Scheme

• Any two colours which are opposite each other on the colour wheel contrast with each other and make a bold statement.

orange / blue

green-yellow / red-violet

Tips for Choosing a Colour Scheme

• Any three colours which are equally spaced on the colour wheel work together to make an exciting scheme. E.g.

yellow / red / blue

Harmony and Contrast

• Harmony

• Colours close to each other on colour wheel

• Easy on the eye• Creates a relaxing

image

Harmony and Contrast

• Contrast

• Colours far apart on the colour wheel• Eye catching • Makes objects stand out• Complimentary

e.g. the green makes the red look redder, and the red makes the the green look greener

Warm and Cool Colours

Warm Cool

• Blues, Greens, Violets

• Receding Colourse.g. appear to be further away

• Reds, Yellows, Oranges

• Advancing Colourse.g. appear to be closer

Tints and Shades

Tint Shade• Add black or grey to add

a shade• Dark shades make

objects appear heavy

• Add white to make a tint• Pale pastel colours give

the impression of softness