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mm-110-02
multimedia
VISUAL CONCEPTS I

WEEK SIX

COLOR THEORY Color is an enormous topic. We are constantly processing visual information based on color references. In understanding color theory it's helpful to break it down into three parts: IMPRESSION / visually, EXPRESSION / emotionally and CONSTRUCTION / symbolically. This initial class on color deals with the more objective principles.

Since 1676, when Issac Newton analyzed sunlight through a glass prism and the color it produced, many color theories have been put in place. It should be mentioned that color theory is just that, theory. For centuries people came to understand and use color based on their inherent perceptions and emotional responses. Theory helps us to understand their practices and our own perceptions. I like to teach from a book by Johannes Itten called THE ART OF COLOR. Again, this is a highly theoretical text, but it serves as a well organized place to start.



The Color Wheel
Start by constructing three color wheels. The first is produced with primary colors. These are to be the basic building blocks and therefore, all color extends from mixtures of these three colors. Conversely, this means that these colors cannot be produced by any other color.
Primary colors: red / yellow / blue

Next make a color wheel with primary and secondary colors. Secondary colors are the result of the combination between the primary colors
Secondary colors: orange / green / violet

Next make a color wheel showing the twelve tone scale of primary, secondary and tertiary color. These are the colors the fall between the different grades of primary and secondary colors
Tertiary colors: yellow orange / red orange / red violet / blue violet / blue green / yellow green.

The twelve tone scale: yellow / yellow orange / orange / red orange / red / red violet / violet / blue violet / blue / blue green / green / yellow green

After all the wheels are in place, we need to examine the various forms of color contrast. Hue, Brightness, Cold-Warm, Complementary, Simultaneous, Saturation, Extension



OUT OF CLASS WORK
Of course, finish the COLOR VALUE SCALE. Then, the assignment for the out of class work is in two parts. First create 10 grid compositions that display a control of VALUE and SATURATION of various color groups. Remember this assignment is for isolating the HUE, SATURATION and VALUE (brightness) of a color. It is also designed for you to properly undestand the specifics of the colors on the color wheel. The grid is to be used as a format for composition. Use it to divide up the space and to thoughtfully distribute the colors.

example1
example2
example3
example4

The second part of the assignment is to find the structure of a photo (line and shape) and define it with color in Photoshop. You can do this by selecting an image and defining the shapes with the pen tool. Once you have created the path, save it in the path pallette. Then convert the path into a selection (also done from the path pallette). Once selected, go to the IMAGE menu ADJUST>HUE/SATURATION. This brings up the HUE/SATURATION dialougue box. Click COLORIZE. this allows you to adjust HUE, SATURATION and BRIGHTNESS. You can now create your composition. Do one with Primary colors and one with Secondary colors. Work to make the compositions balanced, rich and with contrast.

example5