The Language of Colour

Primary colours are the three base shades that when mixed together can make all other colors.

They are:

RED, YELLOW and BLUE.

Secondary colours are created by mixing together two Primary colours. e.g.

Orange = Red + Yellow

Violet = Red + Blue

Green = Yellow + Blue

A Tertiary Colour is created when an additional Primary Colour is added to a Secondary Colour.

This process can be repeated many times to create a range of colours or HUES. Red is a HUE whereas Scarlet is a specific colour.

Hues can be made Lighter or Darker by adding White or Black.

The Darker version is referred to as a SHADE and the Lighter version a TINT.

Complementary Colours are opposite each other on the Colour Wheel. They are useful when highlighting text or creating something that will stand out. They are thought of as being in Contrast with each other.

Harmonious Colours are next to each other on the Colour Wheel. They blend well together.

Printer Colours

According to Colour Theorists colours are often used to evoke a certain feeling in people.

Reds, Yellows and Oranges are known as Warm Colours and they are associated with things like fire, danger and warnings.

Blues, Greens and Purples are thought of as Cold Colours.

Printing uses four colours.

They are

Cyan (C)

Magenta (M)

Yellow (Y)

Black (K)

Black is not really a colour, but it is used to give Tone and Shade to the print.

By mixing these four colours together all other colours can be created.

Colour 194-198